Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Who has won Bake Off and where are they now?

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The Great British Bake Off crowned Georgie Grasso as the winner of series 15, marking the first ever Welsh champion of the popular show.

Georgie, from Carmarthenshire, went up against Dylan Bachelet and Christiaan de Vries in the 2024 final and despite Dylan being the favourite to win, it was Georgie who triumphed as the ultimate Star Baker.

The 34-year-old paediatric nurse secured her win with an incredible, gravity-defying hanging cake and said of being named champion: “It’s just incredible. I can’t believe that I’ve won the Great British Bake Off. Oh my God, it just means everything. Like I’ve always been so self doubtful…

Georgie - The Great British Bake Off 2024 (Channel 4)

Georgie Grasso with her series-winning hanging cake. (Channel 4)

“And you make excuses and for once I just thought, ‘No, I’m gonna go for it and I’m gonna put my everything into it, working all the hours. You know, I’ve sacrificed things with the kids and my family and I’m just so proud of myself because I’ve just proved myself that I couldn’t do something. And now I’m here today.”

Cast your mind back over every champion since 2010 and see where life has taken them since leaving the Bake Off tent.

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<p>Edd Kimber took home the prestigious winning title of the first ever <em>Great British Bake Off </em>series back in 2010. The Bradford native quit his job as a debt collector for a bank to pursue his baking career fulltime. And he’s found relative success, as he’s published three cookbooks including ‘The Boy Who Bakes’ and served as the resident baker on <em>The Alan Titchmarsh Show. </em>He continues to regularly provide recipe and features for various culinary publications and regularly shares what he’s up to on his personal blog (theboywhobakes.com).<br />(PA Images) </p><p>Edd Kimber took home the prestigious winning title of the first ever <em>Great British Bake Off </em>series back in 2010. The Bradford native quit his job as a debt collector for a bank to pursue his baking career fulltime. And he’s found relative success, as he’s published three cookbooks including ‘The Boy Who Bakes’ and served as the resident baker on <em>The Alan Titchmarsh Show. </em>He continues to regularly provide recipe and features for various culinary publications and regularly shares what he’s up to on his personal blog (theboywhobakes.com).<br />(PA Images) </p>

Edd Kimber aka The Boy Who Bakes. (PA Images)

Way back in 2010, before Bake Off fever truly gripped the nation, Edd Kimber was the show’s first winner.

Dubbing himself ‘The Boy Who Bakes’, Kimber has since published a book with the same name, as well as two more: Say It With Cake and Patisserie Made Simple.

His recipes have featured in national newspapers and magazines, while his TV appearances have included being resident baker on The Alan Titchmarsh Show.

<p>After winning the 2011, Jo firstly had to overcome tabloid headlines revealing that her husband was actually in prison for fraud at the time of her win. However, since she has landed a publishing deal and is now the author of two successful recipe books: A Passion For Cooking and Home Baking. Jo also now runs a home cooking school from her home in Essex, which includes classes in cupcake decorating, breadmaking and family cakes. She has also written about food for various national newspapers and magazines and appeared as a guest at the BBC Good Food Show. </p><p>After winning the 2011, Jo firstly had to overcome tabloid headlines revealing that her husband was actually in prison for fraud at the time of her win. However, since she has landed a publishing deal and is now the author of two successful recipe books: A Passion For Cooking and Home Baking. Jo also now runs a home cooking school from her home in Essex, which includes classes in cupcake decorating, breadmaking and family cakes. She has also written about food for various national newspapers and magazines and appeared as a guest at the BBC Good Food Show. </p>

Jo Wheatley won series 2. (Love Productions)

Next up was mum-of-three Jo Wheatley, who also bagged some book deals from her win, publishing A Passion For Baking and Home Baking.

She has kept up with cooking as a career by launching a home cooking school with classes including cupcake making.

John Whaite competed in Strictly Come Dancing. (BBC)John Whaite competed in Strictly Come Dancing. (BBC)

John Whaite competed in Strictly Come Dancing. (BBC)

Bake Off‘s third winner John Whaite is probably better known for dancing than baking these days, thanks to a star turn on Strictly Come Dancing in 2021.

He made history as one half of the show’s first all-male partnership with Johannes Radebe and turned out to be a great dancer, making it all the way to the final where he was second to winner Rose Ayling-Ellis.

Whaite made many TV appearances after his win, earned a diploma in patisserie and launched his own cooking school, books and homeware range, as well as becoming the in-house chef for Steph’s Packed Lunch.

<p>Frances was one of the most creative winners the show has ever seen and now makes the most of that by baking showpiece cakes for big events and weddings. She also has a brilliant recipe blog which she regularly updates with new ideas. Since winning the show, Frances graced the pages of Vogue and says she still stays in touch with both Paul and Mary. Most recently, Frances managed to bag herself another achievement by baking a Guinness World Record breaking world’s biggest Jaffa Cake for Radio 4. </p><p>Frances was one of the most creative winners the show has ever seen and now makes the most of that by baking showpiece cakes for big events and weddings. She also has a brilliant recipe blog which she regularly updates with new ideas. Since winning the show, Frances graced the pages of Vogue and says she still stays in touch with both Paul and Mary. Most recently, Frances managed to bag herself another achievement by baking a Guinness World Record breaking world’s biggest Jaffa Cake for Radio 4. </p>

Frances Quinn was known for her creative cakes. (Love Productions)

Frances Quinn was something of a low-key winner compared to rival series 4 competitor Ruby Tandoh, who most viewers are more likely to remember.

However, she’s carved out a successful career by publishing a book and snaring private baking clients including Quentin Blake, Jools Holland and the Wimbledon Championships.

<p>Since winning the show in 2014, ‘Queen of Buns’ Nancy has kept baking and regularly judges baking competitions herself and regularly updates her website and blogs new recipes. She was chosen to bake the Eastenders 30th anniversary cake and is currently working on her first recipe book. Nancy is also currently undertaking a challenge on her blog to deal with one reader’s query a day for a year dishing out daily baking tips and recipes through to suggestions about household finances. </p><p>Since winning the show in 2014, ‘Queen of Buns’ Nancy has kept baking and regularly judges baking competitions herself and regularly updates her website and blogs new recipes. She was chosen to bake the Eastenders 30th anniversary cake and is currently working on her first recipe book. Nancy is also currently undertaking a challenge on her blog to deal with one reader’s query a day for a year dishing out daily baking tips and recipes through to suggestions about household finances. </p>

Nancy Birtwhistle has launched a second career from winning. (Love Productions)

Series 5 champion Nancy Birtwhistle was a huge favourite with viewers, who were delighted to see the grandmother-of-nine scoop the prize.

Although Birtwhistle had retired, she went back into work after her win by writing recipes, performing cooking demos and being published in newspapers and magazines. She calls Bake Off “a life-changer”.

Nadiya Hussain feared she was the 'token Muslim' on Great British Bake OffNadiya Hussain feared she was the 'token Muslim' on Great British Bake Off

Nadiya Hussain is the biggest star the show has produced. (Love Productions)

The biggest star to come out of Bake Off is series 6 champion Nadiya Hussain, who has become a household name in cooking.

Her many TV shows have included The Chronicles Of Nadiya, Nadiya’s British Food Adventure and The Big Family Cooking Showdown, with various related recipe books and even a commission from Buckingham Palace to make the Queen’s 90th birthday cake.

Hussain’s popularity has transcended cooking, with a documentary called Nadiya: Anxiety And Me to her name, as well as a number of children’s books and three novels.

Candice Brown and Paul Hollywood react to affair rumours following 'intimate kiss' photoCandice Brown and Paul Hollywood react to affair rumours following 'intimate kiss' photo

Candice Brown took part in Dancing On Ice. (Getty)

Hussain’s successor Candice Brown also managed to cross over into stardom outside of the show, most notably as a contestant in Dancing On Ice 2018.

She quit her job as a PE teacher to pursue baking full-time and made a number of TV appearances, as well as spending a while working in Tom Kerridge’s kitchen before taking on a pub lease of her own.

Great British Bake Off finalist Sophie Faldo 'is being investigated for benefits fraud'Great British Bake Off finalist Sophie Faldo 'is being investigated for benefits fraud'

Sophie Faldo’s win was announced prematurely. (Love Productions)

Sophie Faldo is perhaps best remembered for the controversy surrounding her win after judge Prue Leith accidentally revealed it hours before the final had aired.

The blunder came about because of a time difference between where Leith was tweeting from and the UK, but it was an unfortunate mishap for the first series to air on Channel 4.

Faldo set up a cake company after her win to add to her list of life achievements, which include being a ballerina, surveillance consultant and ski-touring instructor, winning a bronze medal at the British Rowing Championships and training to be a stunt performer.

Rahul Mandal wins GBBO 2018Rahul Mandal wins GBBO 2018

Rahul Mandal overcame his stresses to win. (Love Productions)

Another of the show’s most popular winners was Rahul Mandal, who was known for his high stress levels in the tent – not helped by a heatwave exploding a glass jar on his bench during the final, meaning he had to do a staggered start after everyone else.

Mandal is still the show’s biggest fan, and despite appearances on TV and publishing recipes in the national press, he has continued with his job as an engineering researcher at the University of Sheffield’s Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre.

David Atherton did his bit during the pandemic. (Getty)David Atherton did his bit during the pandemic. (Getty)

David Atherton did his bit during the pandemic. (Getty)

The series 10 winner almost didn’t make it on to the show at all as he was originally a reserve before being called up to take part.

David Atherton has since gone on to write a column about food for fitness in The Guardian and published My First Cookbook in August 2020, as well as signing up as a COVID vaccinator.

Ep2.  Peter.Ep2.  Peter.

Bake Off winner Peter Sawkins. (Love Productions)

Bake Off’s youngest winner was Scottish student Peter Sawkins, who was just 20 when he won series 11.

His first recipe book Peter Bakes was published in October 2021.

When he won, Sawkins said: “I can’t quite believe that I am here, I can’t quite believe that I made it on to the show, and I can’t quite believe that the show happened.

“I wanted this a lot. When I was 12, I was watching repeats of Bake Off back-to-back, and it got me into baking big time.

“I am a Bake Off nerd, and I think 12-year-old Peter would be in awe, and just the most excited giddy kid. I am that excited giddy kid right now.”

Great British Bake Off S5 FINAL. Giuseppe cutting cakeGreat British Bake Off S5 FINAL. Giuseppe cutting cake

Giuseppe gets the details right in the 2021 final. (Love Productions)

The Italian engineer, 45, barely put a foot wrong in the 2021 competition while introducing judges and viewers to some of the most delicious bakes from his homeland.

Dell’Anno somehow managed to keep his taking part in the show a surprise for his young children, and followed in the footsteps of his pro-chef father.

His first book, Giuseppe’s Italian Bakes, came out in October 2022.

SyabiraSyabira

Syabira Yusoff triumphed in 2022. (Channel 4)

Last year, The Great British Bake Off named its series’ lucky number 13 winner as Syabira Yusoff.

From her first bake in the tent, 32-year-old Malaysian cardiovascular research assistant Yusoff had winner written all over her.

She might have only taken up baking in 2017, but she unlocked a hidden talent for pairing flavours no one else had thought of putting together, creating stunning cake decorations, and celebrating Malaysian food in her work.

The baker triumphed over Sandro Farmhouse and Abdul Rehman Sharif in the 2022 final.

Yusoff said: “This is the biggest achievement in my life, all the hard work, all the trial and error, it’s all worth it. I’m very proud.”

Matty Edgell was 2023's Star Baker. (Channel 4)Matty Edgell was 2023's Star Baker. (Channel 4)

Matty Edgell was 2023’s Star Baker. (Channel 4)

Series 13 winner Matty Edgell couldn’t believe his luck at being crowned the 2023 champion – he said: “I don’t know what to say, everyone said you should go on Bake Off and I thought it was a throwaway comment and never really listened to it. I never thought I would be on the show let alone win it!”

It’s been a huge year for Matty since the show as he married partner Lara who had supported him throughout the series, even baking his own three-tier, three-flavour wedding cake which he shared video of himself assembling before heading down the aisle.

Matty shares easy-to-follow recipes on TikTok and Instagram, including some budget-friendly homemade present ideas for Christmas.

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