Reality television is becoming a regular side hustle for Renu Mathew, a teacher of art, ceramics, cosmetology and edible arts at Ecole Olds High School.
Throughout November, Mathew has been appearing on Sweet Empire: Winter Wars, a new show on the Food Network. She was invited to apply to the show after previous appearances on the Great Chocolate Showdown and The Great Canadian Pottery Throwdown. She said doing a reality show for the third time was quite fun but still challenging.
“From my previous experiences, I know what to expect, which makes it less stressful, but each show has unique challenges,” she said.
Mathew’s previous television appearances were individual competitions, whereas Sweet Empire involved competing as a team.
“I found that performing under pressure as a team was much more difficult than working as an individual,” she said.
Mathew added that her experiences on all three shows have informed her teaching practice in many ways.
“I have connected with people who are now friends that I can consult with for specialized knowledge in ceramics, chocolate and advanced cake artistry,” she said.
Mathew considers her show appearances a form of professional development because of the multiple skills involved, such as understanding diverse group dynamics, adapting quickly to change, navigating conflict effectively, managing time and being under the scrutiny of the judges and the camera.
“The shows that I have been on have improved my skills and ability to perform under pressure,” she said.
