What Are 'The Great British Baking Show’ Winners Up to Now?
Season 1: Edd Kimber
After becoming The Great British Baking Show’s first ever Star Baker in 2010, Edd quit his day job as a debt collector and went on to publish four cookbooks: Say It With Cakes, The Boy Who Bakes, Patisserie Made Simple, and most recently, One Tin Bakes. Since the coronavirus pandemic, Edd has started offering in-house food photography and styling services, according to his recipe website, The Boy Who Bakes. Fans can also catch Edd on his popular “Stir the Pot” podcast, which features fun interviews with chefs, food writers, and celebrity foodies.
Season 3: John Whaite
After his win on the show, John earned his patisserie diploma from the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu and went on to open John Whaite's Cookery Kitchen School on his family farm, where he teaches classes on Italian cooking, pastry making, and more. He's also published five cookbooks: John Whaite Bakes, John Whaite Bakes At Home, Perfect Plates in 5 Ingredients, A Flash in the Pan, and Comfort: Food to Soothe the Soul.
Season 4: Frances Quinn
After taking home top prize on season 4, Frances left behind her career as a children's clothing designer to launch a custom cake business. She also published a cookbook, Quintessential Baking, in 2016 and created a popular food blog, where she shares recipes, sketches, and even her favorite songs.
"I have a habit of seeing everything as food and get inspired both in and out of the kitchen, whether it's an exhibition at The Tate or a musician's new album,” Frances told The Sun.
Season 5: Nancy Birtwhistle
Everybody loves Fancy Nancy! This fan favorite now runs her own baking website, where she shares recipes daily. In October 2019, the grandmother of eight published her first cookbook, Sizzle & Drizzle: Tips for a Modern Day Home-Maker. She also gives baking demonstrations across the U.K.
"Winning Bake Off has been a life changer as it brought with it a wealth of opportunity," she said on her website. "Suddenly I was parachuted into a different world where I had invitations to get involved with a whole range of things. Demonstrating, teaching, judging, speaking, writing—even my first stage acting role!"
Season 6: Nadiya Hussain
Nadiya is arguably the brightest Star Baker to come out of The Great British Baking Show—she even baked a birthday cake for the queen! She truly captured fans' hearts forever, though, with her emotional acceptance speech. “I’m never gonna put boundaries on myself ever again. I’m never gonna say I can’t do it. I’m never gonna say ‘maybe.’ I’m never gonna say, ‘I don’t think I can.’ I can and I will,” she said. ??????
It looks like Nadiya will be fulfilling another dream soon: She is reportedly working on a new show with Queer Eye's Tan France, according to Delish.
Season 7: Candice Brown
This gym-teacher-turned-pro-baker went on to appear on other British reality TV shows, including Dancing on Ice and Celebrity Mastermind, in addition to publishing a cookbook called Comfort in 2017. She also owns the Green Man pub in Eversholt, Bedfordshire, where she serves upscale pub fare and delicious treats like sticky toffee pudding, seasonal crumbles, and brownies.
Season 8: Sophie Faldo
After winning season 8, the former British Army officer started her own business, Sophie Faldo Cakes, which specializes in luxury bespoke cakes and dessert tables for weddings and other special events. You can also check out her latest confections on Instagram.
Season 9: Rahul Mandal
The endearingly humble Rahul overcame more than one kitchen disaster to be crowned the season 9 winner in 2018. Since then, he returned to his full-time job as an engineering researcher at the University of Sheffield’s Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre. But Rahul still bakes in his spare time—and even delivers homemade goodies to his neighbors. Talk about sweet! If you haven't discovered Rahul's Instagram yet, you're in for a treat—or should we say many treats?
Season 10: David Atherton
The most recent Star Baker has already launched a successful post-show career as a food and fitness writer for The Guardian. David is known for creating simple-to-follow recipes for young bakers, including a playful cupcake caterpillar. So cute! His first book, My First Cookbook, was published in August 2020.
Is anyone else deeply obsessed with this show? It's so calming.