My Haven CANDICE BROWN

Last year’s Bake Off champion, 32, in the living room of her family’s home in Bedford

1 LOTS OF LOVELY LIPPY

My parents ran pubs when I was growing up so we moved around a lot, but this is the place we’ve been in longest. This living room is where all my friends and family gathered to watch me on Bake Off, and I promised myself the Victoria Beckham bag on the sofa if I won. My mum always said to me, ‘You can never be too dressed up,’ which is where I get my lipstick obsession from. I have at least 100

– these are just a few

– and if L’Oréal called to offer me my own range I’d be up for it. Think of all the research I’d have to do!

2 MY BABIES

My dogs are like my surrogate babies and they’re always hanging round my ankles when I’m baking. I’ve had Dennis here, my pug, for three years and he thinks he’s the boss, but actually it’s Sybil, the Pomeranian rescue dog I got in April who’s sitting on the floor. She’s blind in one eye and walks on three legs but she’s in charge. They both rule the roost really – but they’re delightful.

3 FONDANT FANCY, ANYONE?

I love antiques and each week on Bake Off, rather than display my cakes on stands I’d use quirky objects. I bought this vintage child’s piano, which dates back to 1910, on the internet from a French lady who sent it to me in England and it ended up displaying my fondant fancies on the show. I mean, what else would you put fondant fancies on? I remember telling Paul

Hollywood that the piano played the Bake Off theme tune and he said, ‘Really?’ and I replied, ‘No, of course not!’

4 INSPIRED BY NAN’S RECIPES

Family is hugely important to me, and my nan Flo, pictured here with my grandad, is the person who first inspired me to cook. I spent every summer holiday with her and grandad growing up and used to watch her baking pies, tarts and pastries – she was an amazing baker, but so modest about it. After she died nine years ago at the grand old age of 93, I found this handwritten recipe book of hers and I’ve used three of them in my new book. She’d be very proud of me, but probably very embarrassed too.

5 THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL

Here’s my Bake Off trophy, which spent its first few months after I’d won on top of a wardrobe because I had to keep everything secret before the show aired. Most of the time now I carry it around in a plastic bag to show off at food festivals. I can’t believe that two years ago I was working as a special needs teacher and today people are reading my cookbook, which is on the table here with my nan’s rolling pin and wooden spoon. I used these on the show and when I was testing recipes for the book.

6 MAD ABOUT MINIONS!

I know it’s a strange obsession for a grown woman to have but I just can’t help it – I love the Minions! I’m quite playful at heart and I don’t like to dwell too much on all the negative stuff that’s going on in the world, so whenever I feel a bit down or need some cheering up I think of the Minions films and they put a smile on my face. Some people like princesses and fairies, but I like Minions. They’re just always happy, aren’t they?