Crime Scene Kitchen’s Donovan and Dayveon found a positive in the unfortunate outcome, interview

On the first episode of Crime Scene Kitchen Season 2, the self-taught bakers took center stage. While the two challenges might have pushed everyone out of their comfort zone, Donovan and Dayveon were able to smile through all the twists and turns. Although the outcome might not have been what they hoped, the pair can still find the positive in the FOX baking competition experience.

Recently, FoodSided spoke with Donovan and Dayveon about their Crime Scene Kitchen Season 2 experience. While both gentlemen have big personalities, they agreed that their personal connection outside the show and varied backgrounds helped them get along. Although viewers only got a glimpse into their baking talents, Crime Scene Kitchen fans hope for another chance to see more.

While the pair might be self-taught bakers, they have experience in the culinary world. Donovan owns a well-respected catering company. Dayveon has a successful decorative cake business. A quick glimpse at Dayveon’s social media pages shows his cake decorating skill. While those intricate designs are stunning, the challenges on Crime Scene Kitchen did not necessarily allow the team to showcase those talents.

One of the reasons why the pair was drawn to Crime Scene Kitchen was judge Yolanda Gampp. As Dayveon commented, her connection to the show was why he jumped. It was even mentioned on the show how he was thrilled to be able to serve desserts to her. When Yolanda praised their cake in the second challenge, it made the resulting outcome a little less bitter.

While the pair might have studied season one, competing on the show was different than watching from afar. Even though that knowledge could have been helpful, the new twists and turns kept everyone on their feet. As the pair said, “you have to pay attention to every single clue and register it to your brain.” Dayveon said that quick thinking and application was the hardest part.

Looking at the first challenge, the pair admitted that they were not familiar with the Atlantic Beach Pie/Boardwalk Pie with its saltine cracker crust. Even though their citrus pie had a lovely crust and a nice curd, it did not solve the mystery. That element is key in Crime Scene kitchen. The connection to the mystery bake is bigger than a well-executed dessert.

That element is a hard lesson that Donovan and Dayveon learned in the first episode. As Dayveon said, he was waiting for the moment that it was a “you got punked” reveal. Even though he fondly recalls Yolanda’s comments that their dessert would have kept them safe in any other baking competition, it did not matter. A 9 out of10 dessert that was not even close to the challenge puts that baking team on the bottom. Misreading the clues is a hard lesson to learn.

Even though Donovan and Dayveon might have thought about a pineapple upside down cake at first, they were not necessarily confident in their choice. That last minute decision to add buttercream to the cake pushed it too far from the mystery dessert. It did not matter that their cake was delicious versus an inedible option from their competitors. Crime Scene Kitchen is a slice of forensic baking.

Although their time on Crime Scene Kitchen Season 2 was short, the pair would happily jump back into the kitchen to try again. Maybe the second time around would include a decorative cake challenge or even a slant on a savory dessert for the pair.

Crime Scene Kitchen Season 2 airs on FOX Monday nights at 9 p.m. ET and can be streamed the next day on Hulu.

Dayveon Shawver is owner of Caked by Day. He hopes to continue his food television dreams while making some showstopping cakes. Donovan Peters owns a catering company in Los Angeles. He is working to perfect the ultimate pizza and open his own restaurant.