NEWS

VARIETY: When Mary Berg’s photo came across the “MasterChef Canada” casting table in 2015, executive producer Cathie James knew she had the look of a TV star. The 26-year-old insurance broker had red hair, bangs, glasses, and a beautiful smile. “Her features looked almost animated,” the Proper Television co-president recalls. “I remember the casting director telling me they were really excited about her. I said, ‘Wow, she sounds amazing. I really hope she can cook.’” Fast forward to the end of 2022 and Berg has starred in two Bell Media cooking shows, “Mary’s Kitchen Crush” and “Mary Makes It Easy,” which was picked up for two seasons by the Food Network in the U.S. Berg has also authored two cookbooks, won four Canadian Screen Awards, guest-starred on the Bell Media comedy “Children Ruin Everything,” and appears on lifestyle shows across the country as a food expert.

TORONTO (November 21, 2022) – CTV’s new cake competition series CROSS COUNTRY CAKE OFF is set to make its debut with four holiday-themed episodes, now premiering with a special two-night event Thursday, December 15 and Friday, December 16 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CTV, CTV.ca, and the CTV app. Hosted by cookbook author and multiple Canadian Screen Award-winner Mary Berg and introducing celebrated pastry chef Andrew Han, the CTV Original series features the country’s best cake makers as they bake to claim the $50,000 prize, and the title of CROSS COUNTRY CAKE OFF Champion.

Two new series from Proper Television were announced at Bell Media's 2022 Upfront. CROSS COUNTRY CAKE OFF is an original competition series hosted by Mary Berg, celebrating the unbridled creativity of Canada's best cake-makers. A feel good national event, CROSS COUNTRY CAKE OFF connects the country through cake in 10 delightful episodes, including four Holiday specials. Buckle up for a wild and delicious ride! LISTING LARGE follows Odeen Eccleston and Lamont Wiltshire (pictured) as they build their real estate empire: buying, selling, renovating and flipping, all while juggling parenthood, friendship and love. Amidst luxury custom builds and multi-million dollar deals, this on-again off-again couple are determined not to let anything stand in the way of their wildly successful business partnership. Coming soon to CTV Life Channel. The Proper Television original series, MARY MAKES IT EASY, was also renewed for a second season, now in production for CTV Life Channel.

Select Bakers from Across Canada to Appear in New Original Competition Series From Boat Rocker’s Proper Television

In a recent review of another series, television critic Maureen Ryan compared it to The Great British Baking Show. She went on to say that, "If you’d prefer a more closely related and delightful cousin, I continue to tell anyone who will listen that The Great Canadian Baking Show is even more delicious than its UK progenitor (and has fewer cultural blind spots)."

The series earned awards for Best Lifestyle Series and Best Host, Lifestyle.