The Great British Bake Off: The second baker leaves the tent

30 September 2020

In Tuesday night’s episode of The Great British Bake Off on Channel 4, Dave was named Star Baker and Makbul, 51, from Greater Manchester was the second baker to leave the tent.

 

In week two our Bakers faced crunch time with Biscuit Week, kicking off with Florentines, a sophisticated combination of fruit, nut and chocolate in the signature.  They then had to produce two takes on a tropical technical: Coconut Macaroons.   Finally, in the showstopper, their sculpting was put to the test, as they had to create an elaborate table setting entirely from biscuit.      

 

At the end of the second episode Noel announced that Dave was the Star Baker and Matt, for the first time, had the difficult job of telling Mak that he would be leaving the tent.  On hearing the result, Mak said:  ‘I expected that, I felt it in my bones that it was me.  I know that I gave everything.  It was a privilege to be here meeting new people and making new friends, it has just been amazing.’

 

Here Mak talks about his experience:  ‘I was so glad that I got into the tent - it’s a once in a lifetime experience, thousands apply and I was so lucky to be given this wonderful opportunity.  It’s been such a difficult time for the nation, so I felt very fortunate to be baking in the tent.

 

‘For the first two episodes, the family all sat round the TV with me and watched, my phone was buzzing with texts and so were their phones!  My son was particularly pleased because he was featured in the bee keeping back story!  We love keeping bees and we try to be organic as much as possible, it’s a good connection with nature and it’s something to occupy me and it’s very therapeutic.  And you get the honey at the end, which I use in my baking of course.

 

‘My wife Rukaiya shies away from the limelight but without her help and support I couldn’t have made it into the tent and onto TV.  She really is the wind beneath my wings!

 

‘The comments on social media after the first episode were hilarious, including the ones that took the mickey out of my bakes.  I am not easily offended, you have to take it on the chin, especially as you don’t know the people.  All the messages from work mates, friends and family have all been so supportive.  It’s nice that people make contact that you haven’t heard from in a while, even people from my primary school days.  It does change your outlook to life and it’s made it a bit more fun.

 

‘Being told that I will be on Bake off after going through a long and rigorous selection process came as a total shock. My family, one or two close friends and work colleagues were following my progress.

 

‘The best moment throughout the series, has to be the many friends you make.  I really liked making the pineapple upside down cake in the first episode.   I also practiced my Bill Bryson bust in Week 1 so much that I knew more about his face than he does, he is such a hero of mine.   I wasn’t too keen on the Biscuit Showstopper in Week 2 - I think that was my downfall.  I can be a bit pessimistic and I concentrated so much on not leaving in Episode 1, that I neglected the Biscuit week.  

 

‘I will also treasure the fun times I had with the judges and presenters.   I didn’t like the judging process, but I knew the nature of the beast and Paul and Prue were both sensational, Prue was so nice to me and I think she understood me and tried to bring out the best in me at all times – she is a picture of kindness. 

 

‘Matt was absolutely amazing, and when it got really stressful in the tent because of the time restrictions he was such a support.  Noel is so zany and they really bounced off each other. 

 

‘I am a realist and I hope I can put things into perspective.  Bake Off is a show about cakes, so I didn’t get really emotional about my leaving.   Although my bakes weren’t too brilliant every time, I tried to view it rationally.  If something was going wrong I would try and get it sorted rather than making a fuss about it. 

 

‘I will be watching the series weekly and will continue to make bakes for the family.  For the first week I made a chocolate steamed pudding and a ginger steamed pudding, they are family favourites.  My family are great at helping clear up the kitchen after me, as I can be a messy baker.  When I get stressed in the kitchen the family know to keep clear for a while, and they are so totally supportive.

 

‘I am writing a novel, and I have been writing it for two years, I collect typewriters, 60s vintage models, so I have been typing it on one of those. I write at the weekend or when I am not baking.  I won’t be giving up my accountancy career just yet though!

 

‘I am proud of where I am from, Greater Manchester, they are my roots and it has shaped me, along with the wind and the rain.  It’s my home and will continue to be in my heart, it’s a great place to live.

 

‘I can’t wait to go on An Extra Slice. It’s really been one highlight after another.  Since the application I have been on a high, going through the audition process, being selected, and finally getting to the tent.  It’s been a year of so many good memories for me and it continues.

 

‘I am not sure if GBB0 will change my life, it is probably too early to say, but Iet’s see how I get on.

I want to carry on with my enthusiasm for not just baking but cooking in general. If only everyone in the world had the same opportunities.‘

 

Mak will join Jo Brand and Tom Allen on The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice on Friday 2 October,  Channel 4 at 8.00 pm. 

 

 

 

Makbul, 51, Greater Manchester

Accountant

 

Self-taught baker Makbul first took on cooking at home as a means to help support his mum. He has honed those early skills through watching TV shows, reading books and drawing inspiration from famous chefs. He has a remarkable ability to measure out ingredients just by eye. Mak’s strengths lie in pastry (he says he’s better at puff than shortcrust); and, for celebrations such as Eid, he enjoys making traditional Asian nankhatai biscuits. He thinks baking has made him generally more patient, but woe betide anyone (even his wife) who tries to take control in his kitchen! Their three grown-up children are his harshest baking critics. Mak has recently taken up beekeeping – he produces his own honey, which he loves to use as often as possible in his bakes. 

 

 

 

Pictures:  Duncan Webb at C4.      

Issued by shelagh@shelaghpymm.co.uk; and amanda@consolepr.co.uk

A Love Production for Channel 4.