ON BUSINESS || Project Bakeover debuts new heartwarming season this spring
Host, pastry chef and master chocolatier Steve Hodge and beloved design-guru author, and HGTV Canada host Tiffany Pratt are back to make magic happen again for North American bakeries struggling to keep their business doors open.
Despite the global pandemic, the two phenomenal experts were able to revamp 10 bakeries in 60 days. Not only do bakeries in the show benefit from their business savvy and expertise, small businesses who are watching the show would also be able to heed advice from Steve in the kitchen and Tiff on the frontline to improve their business. Especially during the pandemic, it’s important to understand how businesses can stay afloat and tips and tricks that can allow them to stand out from the crowd.
Looking at how the consumer behavior has changed post-pandemic, Tiff shares that the importance of paying attention to those customers who are excited to come in to enjoy the atmosphere and space, as well as tailoring the takeout experience for those who are still enjoying their secluded, relaxing introverted life. Over in the kitchen, Steve shares a key change he made in his business is designing recipes that can be frozen, have a longer shelf life, and can satisfy consumers' cravings for the product without having to make a trip to the shop!
Steve Hodge
“If you’re not busy and you’re producing all these products everyday, you don’t want to sit on the products. I’d rather you run out halfway through the day and create that craving for customers to come back. So how can we create products that you can build inventory up and then pull little by little everyday? That’s what we did with the bakeries [with frozen products]. ”
Spoiler Alert!
Not so much of an episode spoiler, but we got the chance to ask Tiff and Steve how the magic happens in 6 days behind the scenes. They only have 5 days to complete the entire transformation for each bakery, so they have to be really firm and secure with their design and concept. As soon as the camera stops, everything that needs to go, goes and anything that is reused will be moved accordingly. Since the design crew works around the clock, interior changes literally every hour. It’s amazing how quick the changes are implemented!
This season’s first episode features Kanadell Japanese Bakery located in Steve’s hometown of Vancouver, BC. We got to take a sneak peak of the transformation of the bakery inside out and it’s really a piece of art to see what Tiff and Steve can do in 5 days!
The new season of Project Bakeover premieres on Thursday, March 31 at 9pm ET/PT on Food Network Canada with 10 all-new episodes. Tiff and Steve will be traveling across Canada featuring bakeries located in British Columbia, Montreal, Ontario and New Brunswick.
At the end of each episode, bakery owners are able to build their business in a new space, with newly-acquired skills and a new branding strategy for their business.
Tiffany Pratt
“You’re telling a story about your food not just with the ingredients but with the elements that are in the space. You know you can always get someone through the door once but getting them through the door twice is what you’re going for and that is when food and design work in harmony.”
Remember to tune in on the Food Network Canada for Project Bakeover Season 2 to join the bakery owners on their journey in building a new space, acquiring new skills and reshaping their outlook in each episode!
