Interview with Tan France

24 March 2020

Can you bake? Rate yourself out of 10.

Oh, from, like one-to-Paul Hollywood? Five.

Who taught you how to bake?

Mum started, but I realised, when I was old enough to understand, that she doesn’t bake well. She just liked to bake. So, I learned the basics from her. But most of the other stuff I learned was through Bake Off! I’d watch the show, and then I’d do Bake Off Masterclass, or if I couldn’t do that, I’d find the recipe online. But I would be inspired by Bake Off and learn techniques from it.

Do you have a favourite signature dish?

Yes, I’ve got a few. If I need comfort food, I’ll always make carrot cake. Back home in America I’ll make peanut butter bars, which is a kind of tray bake. And if I’m feeling extra confident, I’ll do something caramel-based.

You’re clearly a Bake Off fan…

I am probably the ultimate Bake Off fan. I’ve watched every episode at least five or six times, minimum!

Does that make you nervous about appearing on the show?

Yeah! Because I talk about it on my social media so much. I’m often very engaged, especially very recently, with the new series. I give my audience updates on what’s happening and how I feel about it, I’m very much engaged.

So now you’ve got to walk the walk?

Exactly! They know I’m obsessed with the show, and they know that I bake, because I post about my bakes on my social, I think they’re expecting me to do relatively well.

Who do you want to impress the most? Paul or Prue?

I hate to say this, because it’s going to give him a big head, but Paul. I pretend that he bugs me, but I love Paul. He makes a good TV villain, but I actually love him.

Who do you see as your biggest competition?

I’m not in competition with these guys. I really am – and this is so American – I really am in competition with myself. I’m my own worst critic. If I don’t do well, I’m angry at myself. I’m actually rooting for all of them.

What do you think your baking strength is?

I’m very creative. I will follow a basic recipe, and then I’ll add my own twist to it.

And why is Stand Up to Cancer important to you?

I have had family members pass away from cancer. My dad’s younger sister passed away when she was 32, from breast cancer. She left behind a really young daughter. And I was really close with that aunt. That happened in my formative years, so I think that impacted who I became and how I felt about sickness and mortality. And my brother-in-law recently got testicular cancer.

Have you practised your bakes for today?

Oh yeah! The only issue is, I travel so much for work and I’m seldom home. So I only got to do two test runs.

Did you get any advice when you were preparing for this show?

One hundred per cent. Two of my friends. One of them bakes cakes for a living, one of them has a French Bakery which is incredible. I got advice from both of them.

How do you feel about the technical challenge?

As long as it’s not a certain couple of things I’ll feel relatively comfortable. I’ve been baking for a very long time, so I know certain tips and tricks. So even if I don’t know what I’m doing from start to finish, I’ll hopefully know enough to avoid some disasters.

What would be the worst thing you could be asked to make?

Genoese. I’m praying it won’t be that.

If you were a baked good, what would you be?

A date loaf!

You’ve got cultural influences from Pakistan to the US via Doncaster. Are any of these reflected in your baking?

Yeah! The ingredients I use now, I’ve not baked in the UK for 12 years, so they’re all American. I live in the mountains, and the altitude affects the bakes. I use certain spices from my upbringing. I use a lot of spice, I’m very comfortable with spice. And my flavours are very much American, and the way I bake. They use a lot of oil instead of butter, they use raising agents instead of a self-raising flour.

Do you think there are similarities between having as good eye for fashion and an artistic streak for baking?

Yes. However, I suck real hard at any kind if artistry in my baking. I’ve never done a decorative bake. I am very creative when it comes to designing clothing, but I don’t think, for me, it necessarily translates. I think for most people it does. If you’re artistic, you’re usually artistic in many areas. Not me!