“IF YOU find yourself red faced switch over to Songs Of Praise,” laughed 2012 Great British Bake Off (GBBO) winner John Whaite. “The innuendos make it more than just a baking show.”
"I love Mary Berry. She's also very intimidating. She has a look of mischief, knowledge and wisdom in her eyes. As if to say, 'don't you dare basterdise a Mary Berry dish'"
The 25-year-old from Wigan stopped by the Confidential offices with homemade treats to update us on life after GBBO.
Much like the team, Whaite finds all the talk of ‘erect biscuits’, ‘hot baps’ and 'good forkings' great tongue-in-cheek entertainment.
"I've been watching and I'm always tweeting. It was only weird when I watched my show back at first," said Whaite, who admitted he was rooting for Nancy in this year's edition of the hit BBC show.
"I love Mary Berry," he said of the 79-year-old star baker. "She's also very intimidating. She has a look of mischief, knowledge and wisdom in her eyes. As if to say don't you dare basterdise a Mary Berry dish'."
Former GBBO winner John Whaites with florentines for Confidential
Reminiscing on his experience on the show, the baker revealed life on set was surreal.
"Before the first filming, we were whisked to this dark hotel and there was this moment of calm and nervousness. Mixed emotions. I was at University studying Law at the time and had an exam the next day."
Whaite counts nearly slicing off his finger during a strudel round as one of the more challenging experiences on the show.
“You know what you’re signing up for, but when I cut my finger and the cameras were zooming in I just wanted them to stop filming me. Help me, maybe? I was bleeding so much," he laughed.
Coming complete with a large personality and cooking skills that claimed the show's top spot, it appears that the young baker's patisserie career is looking fruitful.
He's on the verge of opening a new cooking school for budding new chefs in Wigan, and he's partnered up with Currys and PC World to promote their new line of cooking utencils.
"The cooking school will encompass all skills - from baking to butchering."
Florentines. GBBO quality.
"Baking is not easy," he continued. "People think it’s just a case of tossing a bit of flour over your shoulder but you have to work really hard and I would suggest anyone wanting to get into the business to get the right qualifications and the experience."
Venturing into more healthy cooking may also be on the agenda for Whaite after gaining a little more to love following the show.
"I have to limit myself to a cake once or twice a week. After I put on two stone I thought now it’s time to rein it in.”
"So are you the feeder in your household?" I asked.
“I am. I eat vicariously through my partner. I like people to look and think, 'oh he’s well fed'," he joked.
Whaite, now a master baker (ahem), is set on encouraging others to get elbows deep in the kitchen.
"For your first attempt go with a Victoria Sponge. Start with baby steps," he says. "If you get that wrong you've got no hope."
To see the baking range, as well as recipes and videos from John, visit www.currys.co.uk/baking
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