Bradford Staff Reach Final of Slovak Baking Show

University employee Lenka Kaur reflects on her experience in TV baking competition

Lenka Kaur, an Access and Participation Co-ordinator at a local university, recently reached the final of the Slovakian baking competition Pecie celé Slovensko, which translates as ‘The Whole of Slovakia is Baking’. The show is the Slovak equivalent of The Great British Bake Off and was broadcast weekly in Slovakia from October to December 2025.

Competition format and challenges

The series was filmed earlier this year in Slovakia, set in a tent on the grounds of the Theresia Chateau. Each episode featured three baking challenges:

• Personal Challenge: Bakers created their own interpretation of the week’s theme.
• Technical Challenge: Bakers were given a recipe to follow without prior notice.
• Creative Challenge: The final task, renamed from ‘Showstopper’, required bakers to showcase their creativity.

Each week, one contestant was eliminated by the judges until the winner was crowned in the final episode on 21 December 2025.

Personal growth and confidence

Lenka described the experience as transformative, saying it increased her confidence significantly. She noted that before the show, she was uncomfortable being filmed or photographed but now feels at ease speaking in front of cameras. Her baking skills have also developed, and she enjoys experimenting with new flavours and recipes.

“I am definitely more confident with my bakes, and I love to challenge myself when making cakes,” she said.

Connection to Slovakia

Having left Slovakia at the age of 18, Lenka said returning to her home country for the filming was a meaningful experience. She described Slovakia as part of her identity and heritage despite having made England her home since 2002.

Friendships formed

Lenka also spoke about the friendships formed with fellow contestants, describing the group as more like a team or family. Some of the contestants have since visited the UK, and they keep in regular contact.

Background and baking interests

Lenka began baking with her grandmother at the age of eight and previously ran a small home baking business. She moved to the UK to study Business and Management at university and later joined the university’s staff. Her favourite bake to share with family and friends is a pistachio cake with mascarpone, buttercream, and raspberries.