26 September 2023 , 18:00
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The Great British Bake Off is back on screens this week, which means that some healthy competition and a lot of laughs will be cooked up in the famous tent.
This will be the first time Alison Hammond takes the helm as a presenter alongside Noel Fielding when a new batch of contestants make their way into the tent. The 48-year-old has already been a hit with this series’ 12 contestants thanks to her trademark loud laughter. Student Rowan, 21, said: “When Alison chuffing Hammond walked towards the tent, a laugh as warm as the ovens themselves, it was a moment I’ll never forget. She has a way of making everyone feel like an old friend.” But as we prepare to watch Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith munch into delectable dishes as we salivate from our sofas, let's take a look at what the previous star bakers have done since winning the show...
Edd Kimber - 2010 GBBO Winner
Edd Kimber, pictured here with Mel and Sue, won the first series (BBC)The first series off The Great British Bake Off was won by Edd Kimber, who went on to quit his job as a debt collector as viewers were wowed his talented treats. Edd, now 38, has made a success of his skills since leaving the tent, taking a job at Raymond Blanc’s restaurant Le Manoir as a pastry chef. He has since written many cookbooks including The Boy Who Bakes,Say It With Cake, and Patisserie Made Simple: From Macaron to Millefeuille. He also ran a pop up a pop-up bakery at lavish department store Fortnum & Mason, was the resident baker on The Alan Titchmarsh Show and regularly contributes to food magazines.
Joanne Wheatley - 2011 GBBO Winner
Jo Wheatley with one of her cookbooks (Daily Post Wales)
Following her win in 2011, Jo Wheatley decided to share her baking secrets with others by starting her own cooking school. The mum-of-three - and nan-of-three-more - teaches home baking in Essex, and has also published two cookery books, A Passion For Baking and Home Baking. Jo, 54, also writes about food for Sainsbury’s Magazine and The Sun.
John Whaite - 2012 GBBO Winner
John Whaite won Bake Off and starred on Strictly (Instagram)John Waite won Bake Off in 2012, but he also won the public’s heart during his stint on Strictly Come Dancing in 2021 where he made history as one half of the first all-male pairing - dancing with Johannes Radebe. John, 34, did stick to cooking when he first finished Bake Off, publishing six cookery books, running his own cookery school, launching his own online chocolate shop The Hungry Dog Artisan Chocolates and acting as resident baker on Lorraine. However, when he entered the tent he was studying to be a lawyer, and in 2018 announced his return to the field. It does appear that food is his main focus again, and he has done several TV appearances as well as releasing his autobiography, Dancing On Eggshells, in 2023.
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Frances Quinn - 2013 GBBO Winner
Winner France Quinn pictured with Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry (PA)Frances Quinn, 41, was known for her intricate baking which enabled her to win the 2013 series. Since then she has showcased her skills at events around the UK, and shared her recipes in magazines and media. She published a book called Quinntessential Baking in 2016, and shows her creative showstopper creations on her website. Frances, whose background was in textile design, has also produced many high profile commissions including a creating a cake to commemorate The Shard’s first anniversary.
Nancy Birtwhistle - 2014 GBBO Winner
Former GP surgery manager Nancy Birtwhistle won the baking contest (BBC)Hull-born Nancy Britwhistle, 60, ran a GP surgery before she won the hit show, and she then went on to launch her own website where she shares her tips and tricks. Aside from speaking at events and doing cooking demonstrations, the star also campaigns for charity organisation Love Food Hate Waste. Her cookbook, Sizzle and Drizzle, was released in late 2019.
Nadiya Hussain - 2015 GBBO Winner
Nadiya Hussain baked the late Queen Elizabeth II's official birthday cake after leaving the show (PA)Nadiya Hussain, born in Luton, is one of the biggest breakout stars of Bake Off. After winning the show in 2015, she went on to create the late Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday cake the following year. Nadiya, 38, has written many books, ranging from cookbooks to a series of novels to children’s story and recipe books - and even an autobiography. The mum-of-three is also a regular on TV hosting her own cooking shows and documentaries, and she even had a stint as a Loose Women panellist in 2016. The star baker was awarded an MBE for services to broadcasting and to the culinary arts in 2019.
Candice Brown - 2016 GBBO Winner
2016 winner Candice Brown and judge Mary Berry (PA)
Candice was less successful on Dancing on Ice (Lia Toby/WENN.com)PE teacher Candice Brown, 38,. left her job after winning Bake Off to write her book, Comfort: Delicious Bakes and Family Treats. She also often appeared on This Morning to showcase her recipes, and wrote a column for the times. In 2018 she swapped the heat of the kitchen for colder conditions as she competed on Dancing On Ice, but was voted off in week one. Candice worked in TV chef Tom Kerridge’s pub kitchen before leasing the Green Man pub in Bedfordshire with her brother Ben where she serves her delicious desserts and snacks.
Sophie Faldo - 2017 GBBO Winner
Afghanistan veteran Sophie Faldo won the show in 2018 (PA)Afghanistan veteran Sophie Faldo, 39, won the show in 2017, and went on to create wedding cakes and even baked a huge commission for HMS Belfast. Plans for her debut cooking book were scrapped in 2019, and it was reported that she planned to rejoin the army. However she clarified to Huff Post UK that she never fully left. She has a part-time role in the Army Reservists, and explains that “most reservists will meet on a Tuesday or Wednesday night and go on exercise once a month”. Sophie still creates stunning cakes, and has teased a new food blog of her recipes on her Instagram account.
Rahul Mandal - 2018 GBBO Winner
Engineer Rahul Mandal took the crown in 2018 (Channel 4)
Rahul Mandal, 36, might have won Bake Off, but he certainly hasn’t sought to capitalise on the accompanying fame. He still works as an engineer at the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. However, he did dabble in cooking-related media including having a spot on This Morning and writing a column for The Times Magazine. Shy Rahul has ruled out releasing a book.
David Atherton - 2019 GBBO Winner
David Atherton won the 2019 Bake Off (Love Productions)After becoming the 10th Bake Off champion former health advisor David Atherton, 36, released a series of three cookbooks aimed at kids; My First Cook Book,My First Green Cook Book , and My First Baking Book . In 2021, he also published Good to Eat which is full of healthy recipes and aimed at adults. Last year David launched a podcast Sticky Bun Boys with fellow Bake Off contestant Michael Chakraverty.
Peter Sawkins - 2020 GBBO Winner
Peter won the Great British Bake Off in 2020 (CHANNEL 4)Peter Sawkins won the 2020 series of GBBO which took place in the midst of the pandemic, and was the youngest contestant ever to do so at just 20 years old. He released his debut cookbook Peter Bakes in 2021, while continuing to study for his accounting and finance degree at University of Edinburgh, where he was also president of the university’s badminton society. Now 23, Peter frequently posts baking and cooking videos to his 263k Instagram followers.
Giuseppe Dell’Anno - 2021 GBBO Winner
Italian-born Giuseppe was the star of the 2021 contest (Channel 4)Italian Giuseppe Dell’Anno, 47, cooked up a huge fan base with his passion for baking and his tales of watching his pro chef father bake a cake every Sunday during his childhood. After winning the hit show the charismatic baker released his first cookbook, Giuseppe’s Italian Bakes in 2022. His second book, Giuseppe’s Easy Bakes will be released in November 2023.
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Syabira Yusoff - 2022 GBBO Winner
Syabira Yusoff was last years winner (PA)Scientist Dr Syabira Yusoff, 32, started taking her baking seriously in order to relieve her stress which turned out to be a wonderful decision as she was crowned last year's winner of GBBO. She left her cardiovascular research job at King’s College London after her victory, but not before the university began stocking her red velvet sandwich cookies in their cafes. Syabira has been touring food festivals with her recipes and is working on her upcoming cookbook inspired by her Malaysian roots.