Best in Miniature is a Canadian reality competition television series, hosted by Aba Amuquandoh. The series premiered on CBC Gem in 2022.Greg David, "Marblemedia goes big with miniatures in new competition series Best in Miniature for CBC and Discovery+" . TV, eh?, June 29, 2021.Jen McNeely, "‘Best In Miniature’ explores the current obsession with making things mini" . She Does the City, February 22, 2022.
The show features craftspeople skilled in competing to make the best miniature scale model of a dream home. The winner receives a residency with the International Guild of Miniature Artisans and $15,000 (Seasons 1 and 2) or $10,000 (Season 3).
Format In the first episode, contestants are given 10 hours to build the structure of their dream home. In each subsequent episode, competitors face off in two challenges. In the first "mini challenge," competitors must create one or more small items centred around a theme in a short period of time. The winner of the challenge is given either a ribbon, reward, or advantage. In the second challenge, competitors are given 8 hours to complete one room in their dream house. After judging, one contestant is sent home each episode.
Contestants Season 1 Name Residence Source Antavia Cherry Charlotte, North Carolina Cielo Vianzon Toronto, Ontario Susete Saraiva Toronto, Ontario Tina MacDonald Edmonton, Alberta Anica (Kat) Williams Ocala, Florida Roxanne Brathwaite Toronto, Ontario Susan Mattinson Truro, Nova Scotia Tom Brown Calgary, Alberta Lewis Bush Hopkins. South Carolina Phillip Nuveen Brooklyn, New York Stephen Eddleston London, UK
Season 2 Name Residence Source Michele Barrow-Belisle London, Ontario Tracy Ealdama Vancouver, British Columbia Alberto Gozzi Brampton, Ontario Nigel (Nick) Humes Kingston, Jamaica Debra Kirby Norfolk, England Hannah Lemon London, England Briar Nielsen Uxbridge, Ontario Preston Poling Louisville, Kentucky Micheline Wedderburn Toronto, Ontario Gabbi Whiteley Vancouver, British Columbia
Season 3 Name Residence Source Susan Canaday Henry Las Vegas, Nevada Shelley Acker Kentville, Nova Scotia August Riche Queens, New York Jen Arnold Winnipeg, Manitoba Nalini Sookdeo Nottingham, Maryland Mike Fraysher Hanahan, South Carolina Tiffany Monk Sutton, Quebec Lance Cardinal Bigstone Cree Nation Elliott Langford Cheltenham, UK Arline Smith Port Hope, Ontario
Contestant progress SEASON 1 Contestant Home Style 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Susete Haunted House SAFE SAFE WIN SAFE WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WINNER Phillip Ultra Modern New York Townhouse SAFE WIN SAFE SAFE SAFE WIN SAFE SAFE WIN RUNNER UP Stephen Victorian Dollhouse SAFE SAFE WIN WIN SAFE WIN SAFE WIN SAFE RUNNER UP Cielo Affordable Shipping Container SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE WIN SAFE SAFE OUT Roxanne Mid-Century Modern Home SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE WIN WIN OUT Tom Grandparent's Cottage WIN SAFE SAFE WIN WIN WIN OUT Tina Medieval Fantasy House SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE OUT Lewis Atlanta Mansion SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE OUT Kat Modern House SAFE WIN OUT Susan East Coast Family Home SAFE OUT Antavia Sleek and Stylish House OUT
SEASON 2 Contestant Home Style 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Hannah Japanese Cottage WIN SAFE SAFE WIN SAFE SAFE SAFE WINNER Tracy Futuristic HomeSAFE WIN SAFE SAFE WIN SAFE WIN RUNNER UP Preston Atomic Era House SAFE SAFE WIN SAFE SAFE WIN WIN RUNNER UP Briar Refurbished Warehouse SAFE SAFE WIN SAFE SAFE WIN OUT GabbiEdwardian House SAFE SAFE SAFE WIN WIN OUT Michele French Country Chateau SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE OUT Debra Art Nouveau House SAFE SAFE SAFE OUT Micheline 1970's Childhood Home SAFE WIN OUT Alberto Italian Villa SAFE OUT Nigel Caribbean House OUT
SEASON 3 Contestant Home Style 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Eliott Mad Scientist House WIN SAFE WIN SAFE WIN SAFE SAFE WINNER Lance Indigenous Arbour Home SAFE WIN SAFE WIN SAFE WIN SAFE RUNNER UP Tiffany Log Cabin SAFE SAFE SAFE WIN SAFE WIN WIN RUNNER UP Nalini Island House SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE OUT Mike Off-Grid Charleston Manor WIN SAFE WIN SAFE WIN OUT Shelley Converted Barn SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE OUT Jen Tudor Home SAFE SAFE SAFE OUT Arline Morocan Riad SAFE SAFE OUT August New York Mansion SAFE OUT Susan Utopian Deco House OUT
(WIN) The Contestant won that episode's Room Challenge. (WIN) The Contestant won that episode's Mini Challenge. (WIN) The Contestant won that episode's Mini Challenge and Room Challenge. (OUT) The Contestant won that episode’s Mini Challenge but was eliminated from the competition during the Room Challenge. (OUT) The Contestant was eliminated from the competition. (SAFE) The Contestant won neither the Mini Challenge nor Room Challenge, and they were not eliminated. (WINNER) The Contestant was named Best in Miniature. (RUNNER UP) The contestant was runner up.
Episodes
Season 1 (2022)
Season 2 (2023)
Season 3 (2023)
Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Recipient Results 2023 Canadian Screen Awards Best Reality/Competition Series Best in Miniature align="center" Best Photography, Lifestyle or Reality/Competition Shane Geddes align="center" 2024 Canadian Screen Awards Best Reality/Competition Series Best in Miniature align="center" Best Photography, Lifestyle or Reality/Competition Shane Geddes align="center" Best Production Design or Art Direction, Non-Fiction Tim Luke align="center" 2025 Canadian Screen Awards Best Picture Editing, Reality/Competition Daniel Cable, Pat Fairbairn, Alexandra Mastronardi, Curtis Rogers, Olivia Shin align="center"
References
External links Official Site at CBC