In-tent on success
JON
Who encouraged you to apply? My wife, Debbie – I could not have done any of this without her.
When did you start baking? I’ve been cooking for 15 years, since trying to cook a romantic meal for Debbie when we got together. Baking came after, as I love to create new things.
What is your signature bake? I love to make marshmallows. However, I’m known for my elaborate and fun cakes for parties. My favourites are “severed mummy’s leg” (raspberry roulade) for Halloween and a giant prosecco cake for my wife’s birthday last year.
BRIONY
When did you start baking? I only really started baking in 2013.
How did you find it in the tent that first morning? The most exciting, terrifying moment of my life.
How will you watch the first episode – and will you have made a cake to eat with it? I will be watching it with friends and family and I’ve promised to make the signature bake each week to have while we watch. Sweet or savoury? Sweet, every time. I have such a sweet tooth. Favourite bake? Victoria sponge, an oldie but a goodie.
ANTONY
Who has inspired you? As a kid I was in awe of my dad who made the best Christmas cakes and pizzas back home in India.
Which judge did you want to impress most? Prue takes the cake with her wealth of knowledge in the industry. Sweet or savoury? Sweet with a savoury twist like a mango chilli jam or a saffron Swiss meringue butter cream. Favourite bake? An eclair with a melt-in-the-mouth filling, topped with an exciting glaze.
IMELDA
Who has inspired you? I’ve been fortunate to grow up in a family of bakers – my mum, grannies and aunties are all handy in the kitchen. My mum has been such an inspiration. I love sitting down with my aunties even now and having a good chinwag about recipes.
Sweet or savoury? Sweet. Always. My sweet tooth is my nemesis. If there was one thing I’d change about myself that would be it.
Favourite bake? Bread, sweet or savoury, is the biz. Nothing in this world is like freshly baked bread.
DAN
Who encouraged you to apply? I didn’t need much encouragement. My husband has been my biggest supporter. When did you start baking? My mum taught me when I was small. My interest renewed six years ago when we decided to have a family. Which judge did you want to impress most? Both of them. While Paul tends to be more harsh, Prue is equally discerning. What’s your Desert Island Dish? A simple pain de mie – I couldn’t live without bread.
RUBY
When did you start baking? I only really caught the bug at the end of 2016. I remember making a Black Forest cake and the kitchen was like a bomb site but with this gorgeous cake sitting among the mess. Which judge did you want to
impress most? Paul hasn’t smiled since, like, 1983 so he wasn’t on my radar. I wanted to impress Prue, I have admired her for a long time.
Favourite bake? Aside from cake, I love making bread, something so rewarding. I could live off left-over Christmas dinner sandwiches.
LUKE
Who has inspired you? My nan literally bakes every day, so has been a massive inspiration. As a teen Jamie Oliver inspired me and I vividly remember wanting to be just like him.
Favourite bake? I love making bread – all types. I find it amazing you take such simple ingredients to create something so delicious. Are you looking forward to – or fearing – seeing yourself on TV? I’m dreading it, I’ll be so embarrassed. I just hope everyone watching can understand my heavy Yorkshire accent.
RAHUL
When did you start baking? As a child I enjoyed watching cookery shows. My baking journey began in the UK five years ago when I was feeling lonely. The first cake I made was about two years ago.
What is your signature bake? I like the simple classics, sometimes with a little twist. My colleagues love my lemon drizzle cake and its cousin, lemon and cardamom.
Sweet or savoury? Savoury for sure. Last night I had a piece of cake but then felt I needed something else. So I had a bit of left-over curry.
KAREN
Who encouraged you to apply? I dared myself as my first challenge to celebrate my 60th birthday year.
When did you start baking? At eight or nine my mam started training me to be a housewife (she failed) so taught me the basics – how to fold in flour and to keep pastry tender. It was many years before I tried some less typical stuff. What’s your Desert Island Dish? One of my rich fruit Christmas cakes, a massive one, several tiers so it would keep us going and not go off while we wait to be rescued.
MANON
When did you start baking? I grew up in a family where food is E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G., so from a very young age me and my sister would help mum or grandmas prepare the food. I seriously got into it when I came to the UK. I fell in love with cake decorating and cupcakes.
Sweet or savoury? I have a second stomach for pudding. But bread and butter would always be my top craving when I am hungry.
Favourite bake? My favourite thing is to work with icing, so anything that involves icing.
TERRY
What is your signature bake? My double chocolate and cherry gateau with amaretti is a family favourite. Favourite bake... and your Desert
Island Dish? A rich game pie with pheasant, duck or venison as a winter warmer. On a Desert Island I’d want something to cheer me up: tipsy tart with lots of brandy to keep it preserved and keep me going. Are you looking forward to – or fearing – seeing yourself on television? I’m not looking forward to it. I have a motor home so I might just escape somewhere.
KIM-JOY
When did you start baking? As a child I had to make Christmas mince pies – and I hated mince pies. But everyone raved about them. I realised baking was a way to fit in.
What is your signature bake? For special occasions I like to create something new. I’m not really a fan of making the same thing twice. Will you make a cake to eat while watching the first episode? I’d make the showstopper again but maybe a miniature version. I love miniature things.