Crumbs! Peter's champ
Youngest Bake Off winner
UNIVERSITY student Peter Sawkins – dubbed the ‘baby-face assassin’ – last night became the Great British Bake Off’s youngest ever champion.
But 20-year-old Peter said that now his 12-year-old dream has come true he will leave TV fame behind him to finish his degree in Edinburgh.
The baker emerged triumphant after his custard slice, walnut whirl and showstopper dessert saw off finalists Dave Friday and Laura Adlington.
He had defeated 11 contestants over ten weeks – earning him the nickname the ‘ baby-face assassin’ from show host Noel Fielding.
Speaking after his win, Peter said: ‘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.’
The accounting and finance student said since judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith awarded him the trophy he has hidden it in the family kitchen.
‘I had to smuggle it on the plane back to Edinburgh. I was a bit stressed when we went through the scanners,’ he said. ‘I can’t wait to crack it out of the box and give it as much use as I possibly can.’ He said this year’s Channel 4 contest – held in lockdown conditions – was ‘intense’ but also ‘fun’.
‘You saw Paul on his moped, the crew doing yoga or playing rounders or tennis. It was like a grown-up’s holiday camp for seven weeks.’
However, baking – at least on TV – is on hold for now. ‘I want to finish my degree and I will continue to bake. That’s another two years my studies are top priority.’
But at least his flatmates can enjoy his often Scottish-themed creations – as they did while watching the final. ‘I made something similar to the choux buns in the showstopper,’ he said.