A Kiwi homeowner who took part in the reality TV contest NZ’s Hottest Home Baker has put his house – and its impressive kitchen – on the market for sale.
Ben Baxter took part in the third series of the baking show, in 2012, and got quite far, before a cricket bat cake scuppered his chances.
“I had a mental block. I was trying to make brown fondant and it ended up pink because I used red [colouring] by mistake,” Baxter told OneRoof.
Baxter’s exit didn’t put him off baking. Far from it. Since his appearance, the civil engineer has continued to build masterpieces on a grand scale. He has baked five-tier superhero-themed cakes for his son Charlie and created a four-tier Lego wedding cake for his mate.
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He’s just listed his lifestyle property in Glenwood Grove, in Whatawhata, Waikato, and to lure in the buyers he has promised to make a replica of his four-bedroom, two-bathroom house in cake format for the new owner.
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His passion for baking and the need for a “perfect kitchen” influenced the design of the house, which he built in 2020 with his partner Katy.
“I tried to design it so it was as practical as possible, but I also had the influence of my partner, who said it had to be pretty as well.”
He thought about everything, from the number and size of the shelves in the cupboards to the location of the bins and microwave.
The couple spent around $75,000 on the kitchen. At the heart of their creation are twin Miele ovens (allowing Baxter to bake multiple cakes and tiers at the same time), but also of note are the $10,000 hinges used to create recessed cupboard doors that can be pulled across to hide the sink and bench area.
Baxter was adamant the kitchen island was a cooking space. That’s why the sink is in a separate area. “When you’ve got people around and you are cooking, you are at the hob and quite often in the kitchen that’s against the wall and buried in the corner. What we wanted [is] to be facing people when we are cooking and entertaining.”
Baxter's creations include a four-tiered Lego cake he made for a friend's wedding. Photo / Supplied
The keen baker also made a five-tiered superhero cake for son Charlie's third birthday. Photo / Supplied
A large architectural chimney with an almost silent Schwegian range hood was installed to go over the stove, which Baxter said was a feature in its own right.
Baxter is also keen to highlight other areas and aspects of the house, including the breathtaking views.
“You can see most of the mountains. You can see Pirongia, Kakepuku, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu on a fine day.”
Baxter said it had been a great family home, but the family had decided to move to Hamilton (they found their new home after reading a story about the newly renovated home in OneRoof).
The next home might not be big enough to fulfill his childhood dream of building a Lego city, but he may still be able to convince his partner to have a couple of his creations on display. The rest of his Lego collection is currently stored at the top of their large scullery and might well be where they also remain in the new house.
Black bifold doors with $10,000 hinges that hide the bench and sink and a chimney extractor fan are some of the kitchen's "sexiest" features. Photo / Supplied
The four-bedroom, two-bathroom lifestyle property on a 5037sqm section was completed in 2020. Photo / Supplied
Baxter, pictured with son Charlie, is selling their dream home because they have bought a house in the city. Photo / Supplied
Lodge listing agent Megan Smith said she had seen a lot of kitchens in her career but this was “New Zealand’s sexiest”.
“They’ve thought of everything. Even the range hood – it’s all hidden and recessed. It’s like looking at a piece of art that is underneath it incredibly and highly functional.”
Smith said it would be the ideal home for looking for a first lifestyle property because everything had been done. “There’s nothing for people to do, but arrive and enjoy the majesty of the views and live in that beautiful home. That’s easy lifestyle living.”
Smith said early interest in the property had been around the $1.7 million range, but said it was hard to tell with an auction. Enquiries so far have been from professionals wanting an easy-care 5000sqm lifestyle property that is only a 12-minute drive from the CBD.
- 32 Glenwood Grove, in Whatawhata, Waikato, goes to auction on September 4
