Solid start in bake off tent for Michael
Perthshire man Michael Chakraverty made a solid start to his bid for Great British Bake Off glory this week - with despite picking up a few injuries on the way.
The 26-year-old from Scone suffered a number of cuts during the opening signature dish round, requiring medical treatment inside the famous tent.
But that didn’t stop him impressing judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood with an Indian-inspired ‘Cup of Chai’ cake.
After picking up a second cut, he needed a pep talk from presenter Sandi Toksvig, but dusted himself down to produce a cake Prue Leith described as “beautiful”.
Notoriously difficult to please Paul was also impressed, describing it as “very good”.
At that point it looked like Michael might even be in the running for star baker, but he struggled in the technical challenge when his Genoese angel sponge cake could only manage 11th place out of the 13.
However, he never looked in danger of going home during the showstopper finale, when the contestants had to create a birthday cake inspired by their childhood dreams.
Michael, who works as a theatre manager and fitness instructor, opted for a piratethemed treasure chest cake of chocolate and coffee sponge with salted caramel buttercream.
Paul Hollywood told him to concentrate on his flavours, but added: “Well done, Michael.”
Star baker in week one was Welsh print shop administrator Michelle Evans-Fecci, who seemed to strike up a close friendship with Michael with the pair often holding hands during judging.
Dan Chambers, a 32-yearold support worker, was first to leave the tent.