Former Perth Academy pupil puts on apron for first episode
Fans across the region will be tuning in to The Great British Bake Off tonight to see if Perthshire man Michael Chakraverty will be named the series’ first star baker.
Michael, who is one of 13 contestants on this year’s series of Bake Off, grew up in Scone and attended Perth Academy as a youngster.
Now, he will be donning his apron in the tent for the first episode of the series, which begins on Channel 4 tonight (Tuesday, August 27).
He said he was inspired to apply for the show after trying to recreate each bake from last year’s show.
Michael said: “I challenged myself to bake along with last year’s Bake Off - just for fun, really.
“I’ve always baked a bit but I really enjoyed the challenge and afterwards my friends and family kept mentioning applying for the show, or tagging me on social media, or sending me the link to the application form - so I just did it one night.
“I always baked with my mum when I was younger, then I stopped a bit when I went to uni - student kitchens aren’t ideal for baking.
“But it became a running joke that I’d bake whenever I went home and leave a counter full of bakes behind me.
“We have a recipe book that’s a collection of handwritten recipes from my extended family and friends, and I love adapting these with new flavours and techniques.”
Michael said his signature bake would be orange and cardamom shortbread: “I make a mean orange and cardamom shortbread, which is based on a family recipe - there’s always a batch of that floating around.
“I’m also known for playing around with macarons - recent favourites are orange and pistachio macarons, and earl grey with salted caramel.
“I’d choose sweet over savoury almost every time, the exception being a crusty white bread with a bit of butter and salt - that is the food of gods.
“I love making any type of meringue - I can make a mean pavlova. Quick and easy, as well as delicious.
“My desert island dish would probably be a sticky toffee pudding filled with apples and dates - with plenty of caramel sauce. I could eat that all day, every day.”
He said he has had an amazing time taking part in Bake Off this year: “I’m really proud to have made it to the tent, and I have made so many brilliant new friends.
“I honestly hadn’t thought through the fact that [judges] Paul [Hollywood] and Prue [Leith] were going to be judging things I’d made. It only really registered once I walked into the tent - and then I just really hoped they both liked my flavours.
“[Presenters] Sandi [Toksvig] and Noel [Fielding] were an incredible support in the tent - always there to lift you up from the lows and celebrate the highs.”
Michael will be sitting down with a group of other Bake Off contestants to watch the first episode together, but will be tucking in to shop-bought sweet treats rather than making something to eat in the kitchen.
I make a mean orange and cardamom shortbread which is based on a family recipe