Astoria Man Competes On 'The Great American Baking Show'

ASTORIA, QUEENS — Jonathan Gottfried has learned a trick or two by living in a neighborhood with a different culinary experience in each corner, and he put those skills to the test in the latest season of "The Great American Baking Show."

Gottfried, a 32-year-old tech educator living on 30th Avenue, competed in the American version of the popular cooking competition show "The Great British Baking Show." He joined eight other rookie bakers for a chance to win the title of "Best Amateur Baker in America."

"Getting to try baked goods from so many different places in the world in Astoria and Queens definitely gives me a lot of inspiration and ideas," Gottfried told Patch.

In the tent, the 32-year-old had to prove his skills to celebrity chef Paul Hollywood and restauranteur Prue Leith, who viewers might recognize from the British version of the show.

Does Gottfried claim victory by the end of the season? Viewers will have to wait until May 5, when Roku debuts all six episodes, to find out.

Gottfried said his baking skills date back to when he was a kid, treasuring memories of him and his dad coating baked goods with chocolate chips. Baking followed him to college, where he used the teensy dorm room kitchen to make cakes and cookies.

"That raised to eleven during the pandemic," Gottfried said. "I was baking every day for a long time and it became a really intense hobby."

But, like a good Astoria local, he can claim numerous spots in the neighborhood as some of the best in the city.

"I truly love Bench Flour," the baker said. "I think it's kind of rare to find a classic bakery that does things really well, but doesn't really have a gimmick."

Gottfried said one of his favorite things to do in Astoria was going to the now-closed Queens Comfort to get doughnuts with his wife. Now, the couple goes to Little Egypt to get baklavas.

In the show, one contestant is eliminated in each of the show's weekly challenges, where bakers must show their skills in creating cookies, cakes, and other sweets for the judges. The show is hosted by Ellie Kemper and Zach Cherry.

Although the competition was filmed last summer, the bakers still keep close ties.

"We all became such good friends," Gottfried said. "We have a group chat and we talk every day."