Giuseppe ‘scared sockless’ for finals
BRISTOL baker Giuseppe Dell’Anno has made it into the finals of The Great British Bake Off.
The 45-year-old engineer is the only Bristolian to get this far in the competition, after Briony Williams was knocked out in the 2018 semi-finals.
On Tuesday night, Channel 4 viewers had to say goodbye to fan favourite Jurgen Krauss, in what was an especially tense patisserie round.
The semi-final also made history, when three bakes won the special Hollywood handshake after “flawless” desserts.
Giuseppe said he was “over the moon” and hoped to have a “jolly good time” in the final, but he was “scared sockless”.
The shock decision to send the German baker packing came despite him winning this week’s technical challenge.
“That went very well, what a relief,” he said afterwards. “I will sleep better tonight.”
But his joy was shortlived, after his themed entremets display showstopper failed to impress as much as his rivals’ did, with the judges calling his choice of colours “bland”.
They also said his Torii Gate in the Sea needed more decoration on the Japanese boats.
The unexpected departure of the 56-year-old – nicknamed the Jurgenator because he was such a tough competitor – means next week’s final will be between Giuseppe, Chirag Parmer and Crystelle Pereira.
Giuseppe has been praised so far in the competition for being “consistent” and Tuesday night was no different.
The Italian-born baker impressed in all three rounds, earning a Hollywood handshake and wowing with his Leaning Tower of Pisa showstopper.
Giuseppe, who lives in Bristol with his wife and three young sons, is believed to have been inspired to bake by his father, a professional chef.
He works at the National Composites Centre in Emersons Green, where he has been Chief Engineer since 2017.
He has also worked as an industrial fellow at the University of Bristol, and a lecturer at Cranfield University, according to his LinkedIn profile.
The Great British Bake Off final will be broadcast next Tuesday on Channel 4 at 8pm.