Camera focuses on Wolf-Buttler during broadcast of "The Large Slab"
Wolfenbüttel's Beloved Bakery to Gain Nationwide Recognition
In the heart of Wolfenbüttel lies the established bakery "Reuss." Family-run since 1944, it has expanded to four locations, including its main branch on Dr. Heinrich-Jasper Street. Although renowned in Wolfenbüttel, the bakery Reuss is set to garner a reputation beyond the region.
The reason for the impending expanded recognition? Joana Macenauer, daughter of the current owners Thomas and Kerstin Macenauer, is making her television debut. She will appear in the TV show "Das große Backen - die Profis" on Sat.1 starting July 2nd. Some may know Joana Macenauer through her ice cream shop "Kühle Kugel" in Braunschweig's Altewiekring.
From Ice Cream Shop to TV Star
A self-taught baker, Joana gained valuable experience in her family's bakery after completing her apprenticeship. She further honed her skills through training as a pastry chef at the Ritz-Carlton in Wolfsburg, chocolatier courses, and ultimately earning her title as a master pastry chef and baker. However, her initial intention was always to return to Wolfenbüttel as a pastry chef and baker in the family business. "I always wanted to do that," she stated in an interview with News38.
Two years ago, during her apprenticeship as a pastry chef, she and a friend decided to apply for the TV show "Das große Backen." The competition temporarily halted due to pandemic-related restrictions. A year later, Joana received an unexpected call from the production, inviting her to participate in the baking show solo. Balancing the demands of a new ice cream shop, she initially hesitated. Nevertheless, she eventually decided to showcase her skills on the national stage.
Competing Under Pressure
At the auditions in Berlin last winter, she joined eight other competitors. Cameras, sound technicians, and makeup artists accompanied her throughout the process. While the work atmosphere greatly differed from her daily routine at the bakery, she managed under high time pressure and new work processes. Ranging from creating cakes to complex pastry works, she faced various challenges. Tense moments were inevitable, but the upcoming nationwide exposure is undoubtedly exciting for the skilled pastry chef from Wolfenbüttel.
Joana Macenauer's appearance on Sat.1's "Das große Backen - die Profis" not only marks her television debut but also has the potential to bring the family-run bakery, Reuss, to the forefront of the food-and-drink and entertainment lifestyle segments. The national exposure could bridge the gap between her home-and-garden roots in Wolfenbüttel and the glamorous world of celebrity chefs. As Joana competes under pressure in high-stakes baking challenges, her journey embodies the transformation from a humble baker in a beloved local bakery to a national television star.
