Bangladesh’s Elora Khanom won over Canada, one dessert at a time

Elora Khanom's journey to winning Season 8 of The Great Canadian Baking Show initially began with a personal mission: to find healthier versions of her son's favourite desserts.

When she moved to Canada in 2004 after marriage, life in a foreign land felt oddly quiet and unfamiliar. Living thousands of miles away from home in Bangladesh, she found herself with a lot of free time on her hands and hence wanted to do something meaningful, something that she would also truly enjoy.

Visiting the library became her escape, and it was there, amidst the pages of the cookbooks, that she rediscovered her passion for baking, something she had first learned back home while helping her sister in the kitchen.

"Among all the books, it was the cookbooks, especially on baking, that caught my eye," Elora recalls. What started as a way to pass the time quickly grew into a therapeutic hobby. But it was not until 2009, when her young son was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, that baking took on a much deeper, more personal meaning.

"Children love sweets, and my son was no different," she shares. "It upset me that he couldn't enjoy the treats he loved, so I made it my mission to find ways to make them healthier without compromising on taste." 

Doughnuts — his favourite dessert — became the centre of her focus. 

She dedicated herself to cutting down sugar, flour, and other ingredients, working tirelessly to create healthier versions that still delivered the indulgent taste her son craved. "If a store-bought doughnut has 50 grams of carbs, I will work to bring it down to 20," she says.

"And that is exactly when I truly fell in love with baking." 

What started as a mother's desire to give her child the joy of sweet treats evolved into a deep passion for the art of baking. It was this dedication, born from love, that ultimately led her to the grand stage of The Great Canadian Baking Show.

Elora's deepening passion for baking led her to countless hours of practice, often inspired by food shows like the British Bake Off and the Food Network. She would watch these shows religiously, taking notes and learning new techniques. 

The British Bake Off, in particular, captivated her, and she always dreamed of participating one day. When Canada introduced its own version of the show in 2017, Elora knew this was her chance. She eagerly auditioned, but despite her passion and preparation, her journey ended after the second interview.

"I went home a little heartbroken, but I knew I had to keep trying," she says. Instead of letting the setback discourage her, Elora poured herself into her baking, improving her skills to become better. 

Gathering courage, confidence and skills gained from the last few years of practice, Elora decided to audition again in 2024, and this time, her perseverance paid off.

Her hard work, passion, and unwavering determination had finally brought her to the very stage she had once only watched from her TV screen. 

"It was an intense, one-and-a-half-month journey," she remembers. "There were stressful moments, but I never felt like giving up. My children and family back in Bangladesh were my biggest cheerleaders."

Elora's creations were a true celebration of her Bangladeshi heritage, earning her the nickname "Flavour Queen" on the show. She introduced the judges to Bangladeshi-inspired treats like "Nonta biscuits" (crunchy salted cookies with Nigella seeds) and "Horlicks biscuits" (malted milk cookies). During celebration week, she impressed everyone with her Tikka Masala Wellington — a delicious fusion of Bangladeshi chicken tikka masala and the classic Wellington.

For Diwali week, she brought out the flavours of home with pistachio and lime Barfi, made using the fragrant "Kagoji lebu," a lime from Bangladesh known for its amazing aroma. Her khejurer gurer payesh (rice pudding with date jaggery), a dessert that reminded her of cosy Bangladeshi winters, earned her the coveted Star Baker title that week.

Elora felt a deep sense of pride in showcasing Bangladeshi cuisine to the world, especially since many people weren't familiar with it and often confused it with Indian food. While the two cuisines share some similarities, Elora wanted to highlight the unique flavours and identity of Bangladeshi dishes.

For her, baking on the show was not just about food — it was also a way to share the love and passion Bangladeshis have for eating. "We're naturally 'khaddo roshik'," she laughs, meaning food lovers at heart. Through her bakes, Elora was able to bring a little piece of home to a global stage by blending tradition with creativity that adds a personal touch. 

Elora's daring approach did not stop at traditional flavours. She experimented with bold combinations like pineapple and jalapeno-stuffed cookies and a mojito-inspired cake without using alcohol, balancing her creativity with her values as a practising Muslim.

Time management was Elora's biggest hurdle during the competition, but she tackled it with relentless practice at home. "I'd set a timer to challenge myself and experiment with flavours until I got it just right," she shares.

Although she has found great success, Elora remains humble and grounded. Currently working as an e-commerce process assistant, she views baking as her passion rather than a full-time career. 

She occasionally takes limited orders from family and friends upon request but has no immediate plans to turn it into a business. "I love hosting and cooking for loved ones — it's how I grew up, celebrating love and joy through food and endless cups of tea," she says.

While the idea of collaborating with restaurants or bakeries excites Elora, she is content to savour the present and let her passion for baking grow at her own pace.

Elora's advice to aspiring bakers is to keep trying, no matter how many times things go wrong. She believes that every failed attempt is just another step toward getting it right.

She shares a favourite line from Bengali poet Kaliprosanna Ghosh, "Ekbar na parle dekho shotobar," which roughly translates to, "If you can't do it once, try 100 times before giving up." 

For Elora, this mantra has been the secret ingredient to her success. It does not happen overnight; it takes time, patience, and effort. Just like dough, if you let it rest long enough, it rises beautifully, ready to be baked to perfection.