The Great British Bake Off: The Seventh Baker Leaves The Tent

3 November 2021

In Tuesday night’s episode of The Great British Bake Off on Channel 4,  Jürgen was named Star Baker for the third time, and sadly George, 34,  from London was the seventh baker to leave the tent.

 

Week seven of The Great British Bake Off and for the bakers that remained, it was caramel week.

 

First up they put their signature on a classic caramel tart. In the technical they produced a family favourite biscuit bar and finally, a showstopping dessert encased in a sugar dome.

 

Matt had to deliver the bad news that it would be George leaving the tent this week.  On the show George said:  ‘‘It’s bittersweet but I am proud of my Showstopper.  Speaking to my family they are just so proud that I have even managed to get into the tent, so Week 7 – I am fine with that.’

 

‘I couldn’t believe I was there at Week 7, I thought I might go at Week 1.  I think my flavours saved me, but my timings always let me down as I was much slower than the other bakers.  However my wife has said I have got faster after being in Bake Off boot camp!’

 

Here George talks about his experience in the tent and getting to the seventh episode:  ‘I struggled in the first two challenges, I had a terrible day and it was a flipping nightmare.   In the first challenge my bake curdled and the cream decoration wasn’t great as my tart was still quite hot.   I didn’t quite finish the Technical and they said my caramel was more like toffee.   On my Showstopper Prue said she could eat a lot of it, and she thought the dome was beautiful.    Paul liked the taste of it but not the textures.  I kind of knew it was time to go.  No one wants to go home, but I was very happy that I managed to get this far.

 

‘My best moments in the tent  were when the judges used words such as “sensational “ and “beautiful” when judging my bakes.   I now want to learn more and perfect my baking skills! I would love to be more involved in the world of baking.

 

‘My favourite challenge was in Week 2 in biscuit week.   I loved making the interactive toy plane, I was just so pleased the motor worked in the end, it was a magical moment. I cannot decide between mini rolls and chocolate caramel fingers as my worst challenge, as they were both disasters for me! I wanted to run out of the tent when being judged.

 

‘The funniest moment for me in the tent was when I thought I cut my finger off! I really thought my finger was hanging by a thread. I built up the courage to look and to not even find a scratch. Paul’s reaction to this was funny too. 

 

‘There are some funny clips on social media of my tent meltdowns.  I love them as they give a very clear picture of what I am like.  I find it easy to be honest and open with things when it’s going wrong, and I can see that comes across.  People have made comments saying that I am relatable, and that you can see my love of baking and passion.  It’s been really good fun to read them all.

 

‘Amanda and I live quite near each other and we both have that Greek connection, so we have lots to talk about. Neither of us could make the baklavas, I am going to have to blame Paul for that dodgy recipe! Quite frankly being Greek I am never going to live that down!

 

 

‘We have three small children, so It was a big ask to up and leave to go to Bake Off.   My wife stepped up and without her commitment, love and support I don’t think I could really have thought about going into the tent.  We both really enjoyed the experience when watching it on TV, it’s been such a laugh to watch the show back.  The kids love baking and getting involved in the kitchen, it can become a bit of a mess but I would put a lot of that blame on me, I was quite a messy baker in the tent!

 

‘Each week I definitely learned more from Paul and Prue’s feedback, and my baking knowledge really improved - it was such an invaluable experience.   Having Matt and Noel  around is so good,  they do drive you nuts but they are a welcome distraction and help you see the funny side of things.  Even if they take the fun out of your bakes, it really helps to dispel the tension.  They have your back, and even if the judges are harsh, they always have something positive afterwards to make you feel better.

 

‘I now get recognised in supermarkets, on the train, petrol stations, and at school with people asking for selfies.  I don’t mind it at all, it really is ok and I am enjoying my moment of fame.  In the Greek community in North London where I live they have all been really supportive, and I hope I have done them all proud.  I want to really focus on Greek food and bakes from now as that is my strongest baking area.

 

‘I think I will take away from my experience on Bake Off to have more confidence, I lacked a lot of that in the tent. If you believe in yourself you will always get better results. Everyone has bad bakes, so just take the good with the bad and keep trying!’

 

‘I am really looking forward to being on An Extra Slice - all of the other bakers have said what a lovely experience it has been.  It will be like being on Bake Off but without the stress of baking under time constraints.’

 

George will join Jo Brand and Tom Allen on The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice on Friday 5 November on Channel 4 at 8.00 pm. 

 

Q&A and Biography:

 

*We filmed this series in a covid secure bubble again this year, how did it feel to be meeting and living with your fellow bakers?

I was very excited to meet everyone and had a mix of emotions. I was sad to leave my family behind because I had never done anything like that before but once I met all the other lovely bakers we connected instantly as we all shared the same love for baking.

 

*What did you enjoy most about being in the bubble and what did you miss most about being away from home?

I think being in a bubble gave us a more special experience in a way as we spent every day together! The practice days were a lot of fun and we got to share baking tips and tricks.

 

I missed everything about home, I don’t go out much and like to be with my family 24/7. I felt like a part of me was missing but their support got me through. 

 

*Did you pack a lucky item for your stay?

I didn’t pack any lucky items for my stay but I did pack a suitcase full of crisps and snacks!

 

*During the filming time when you were away from home, where did you say you were to friends?

I told friends that I was away for work doing some training.

 

*Can you describe the bakers as a group this year?

SIMPLY THE BEST! Each and every baker brought something different to the group, We had the calm and confident, the dramatic type, the mother of the group, the extreme worrier (me), the laid back, extremely funny baker!   Despite being so different, we somehow got on like we knew each other for years.

 

*How nervous were you when Paul and Prue started judging the first signature challenge and how does it feel when they are judging the technical challenge when they don’t know who has baked which item?

It was so nerve-wracking and overwhelming being judged by Paul and Prue! I couldn’t believe that they were going to try my bakes.

 

*Having watched Bake Off in the past, was the first day in the tent what you expected?

The first day in the tent was above and beyond my expectations, I was so grateful to be in the tent. The tent is magical, and every baker’s dream!  There is every piping nozzle and food colouring you could ever imagine.

 

*Are you a messy or tidy baker?

I think I was one of the messiest bakers in the tent! I actually felt bad with all the mess I had made at the end of a challenge, my work bench looked like a bomb site. 

 

*Who is your baking inspiration and what age did you start baking?

I started baking as a kid, I wasn’t very good but persisted with it. My mum used to make cakes with me and I loved cooking and baking at school.

 

*The Bake Off family is a very exclusive club, how do you feel being a new member?

I am proud to be part of the Bake Off family, it’s a privilege to have been involved in something so special. More people have been on the moon than in the Bake Off tent.  Fact!

 

*The warmth and love you get in the Tent is a very special feeling, what is the nicest thing in baking you have done for anyone/or given them

I love baking for others, baking comes from the heart and you just want someone else to enjoy and appreciate what you’ve made. I once made my mum a Mother’s day cake, it was a watering can with flowers. She loved it so much, and it’s moments like these that make baking worthwhile.

 

* What is the cake you get asked to make the most for friends and family?

Well once I made Prue’s Torta Setteveli for a family birthday party, it’s a faff but well worthwhile. My family love it!

 

*If you were a cake what would you be and why?

I would be a chocolate fondant cake because I love everything chocolate!  It also has a surprise chocolaty sauce in the middle when you cut into it. It relates to me because people wouldn’t expect me to make cakes so it may be a bit of a surprise to some people.

             

*In three words how would you describe yourself?

Kind, caring, ambitious.

 

*Are there any bakes or flavours that you really dislike? and why… 

Chocolate and fruit -  it makes me gag.    Horseradish because my taste buds don’t like it.

 

*When baking at home what do you have on in the background – music/TV/podcast/radio?

Greek music, BOYS II MEN, Beyonce and anything 90’s R&B.

 

*Does it all seem a bit surreal that you have joined The Great British Bake Off family?

The whole experience feels like a dream, I’m just very grateful for being given the opportunity to be a part of the show and join the GBBO family.

 

*Do you think work colleagues and friends will be shocked to see you on TV?

Yes! I don’t think many of them will expect me to be a good enough baker to make the tent. Some people will be very shocked.

 

* What do you think it will be like watching yourself on television?  Behind a cushion or on delayed record?

I will be viewing from behind a cushion for sure, not a fan of watching myself back but I hope others enjoy it.

 

 

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Biography

 

George, 34

London

Shared Lives Co-ordinator

 

Londoner George grew up in a close-knit Greek-Cypriot family where food was always a big part of family life. Now married to his childhood sweetheart, he has three children and a house full of animals, including a dancing Japanese Spitz, called Eli. His mum taught him to bake (a legacy he’s now passing on to his own children), and he loves all the Greek classics. His flavours often include home-grown herbs and he likes to give his bakes a touch of class with a shabby-chic, vintage vibe. He has a keen eye for detail, looking for perfection in the finished presentation. When George isn’t baking, gardening or looking after his miniature zoo, he will be in the great outdoors with his family, on bike rides and walks.