SAN DIEGO — A North San Diego County woman is one of eight bakers competing for the top prize on season two of Roku’s "The Great American Baking Show."
Oceanside native
Mackenzie Rubish, 38, grew up in Oceanside and is hoping her delicious bakes will impress celebrity chefs and judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith this season.
“It is definitely a ‘pinch me’ surreal moment that even to this day, I have to pinch myself and think, like, ‘Did this really happen? Did I really walk into that tent and bake for Paul and Prue?’,” Rubish said. “It is an incredible feeling, and incredible achievement to be there.”
“The Great American Baking Show” features eight home bakers competing for the title of America’s Best Amateur Baker. The British version of the show has become one of the world’s most popular baking competition reality shows.
The wife and mother of three said she comes from a big, Pacific Islander family and got her start baking traditional Samoan desserts. She said that as a child she would sit in the kitchen, spending time with her aunties as they prepared food and baked desserts.
“That's where all the food and conversation and laughter would always pour out of,” she said.
Some of Rubish’s favorite sweet staples include puligi, which is described by Rubish as a Samoan cake that’s baked using steam over a fire. She says she still uses the same pot her dad used to make the traditional dessert years ago.
“It's something that my dad passed down for me so even being able to carry on those traditions and cultures is just it's it's fantastic,” Rubish said.
The Oceanside High School graduate said she is proud to represent San Diego County on one of the most popular baking competition shows on television.
“It is one of the most proudest moments,” Rubish said. “You see the power that the city has when it comes to loving each and every one of us that come from San Diego. It's really empowering.”
Season two of The Great American Baking Show is free on Roku and premieres May 24.
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