The Great British Bake Off is arguably the most heart-warming of cooking shows, portraying star bakers from across the U.K. baking against each other to be named the UK's Best Amateur Baker. Produced by Love Productions, this BBC series has cycled through judges and presenters, some of whom being Mary Berry, Paul Hollywood, Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig. The series airs under the title The Great British Baking Show in the United States and Canada. From the adorable British accents to how sweet and supportive the contestants are, the Great British Bake Off is perfect for a baking-themed pick-me-up or a bingeable, hunger-inducing show. For those who fell in love with this British series, here are life updates on all of the Great British Bake Off winners over the years.
Series 1- Edd Kimber
The first season of GBBO was back in 2010, over a decade ago. In this first baking competition, Edd Kimber took the crown of UK's Best Amateur Baker. After winning, Kimber published a book called The Boy Who Bakes, which was his self-chosen nickname during the show. He also published Say It With Cake and Patisserie Made Simple, along with having his recipes featured in national newspapers and magazines. Kimber also had a number of TV appearances, such as his role on The Alan Titchmarsh Show.
Series 2- Jo Wheatley
The next season of our favorite baking show featured Jo Wheatley as the winner. Mom of three, Jo Wheatley has continued cooking professionally, and has launched a home cooking school in Essex with a number of classes, with was listed in The Guardian's Top 5 UK Baking Schools. This beloved contestant also published books A Passion For Baking and Home Baking after her success on the Great British Bake Off, along with working as a recipe columnist.
She was voted 2nd in a poll of the favorite GBBO contestants ever, and has a wildly successful blog, Jo's Blue AGA. As for her television presence, Jo gave a lesson on scone making for The One Show, was a guest on shows What's Cooking (Channel 4), This Morning, The Alan Titchmarsh Show (ITV), and Christmas Kitchen.
Series 3- John Whaite
The Great British Bake Off winner John Whaite continued his culinary success after winning in 2012, earning a diploma in patisserie and launching a cookery school and homeware range. He also has a number of cookbooks, like A Flash in the Pan, Perfect Plates in 5 Ingredients, John Whaite Bakes, and Comfort: food to soothe the soul. Whaite also made many TV appearances, on This Morning, Lorraine, Sunday Brunch and Channel 4's Packed Lunch. Along with cooking, John Whaite is a talented dancer, and will soon make history on Strictly Come Dancing as the first male star to dance with a same-sex partner.
Series 4- Frances Quinn
Frances Quinn won series 4 of the Great British Bake Off, coming out on top after a close competition with Ruby Tandoh. She's continued baking her heart out, publishing a book called Quintessential Baking and running her own baking company. Quinn is especially known for her cakes, from wedding cakes to other special occasions. Quinn also has private baking clients like Quentin Blake, Jools Holland and the Wimbledon Championships.
Series 5- Nancy Birtwhistle
In the 5th series of the beloved British baking show, Nancy Birtwhistle was a favorite of viewers. The Great British Bake Off winner also released her own cookbook, and continued cooking after her win by performing cooking duos, writing recipes, and being published in magazines and newspapers. The grandmother-of-nine says that, although you don't get any money from winning GBBO- "all you get is a cake stand"- she sees the show as a life-changing event for her.
Series 6- Nadiya Hussain
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Many would call the series 6 Great British Bake Off winner the most successful of all. Nadiya Hussain won in 2015, and since then has become a household name in cooking and baking. Hussain has many TV shows, like The Chronicles Of Nadiya, Nadiya's British Food Adventure and The Big Family Cooking Showdown. She has also published cookbooks, a number of novels and a children's book called Bake Me a Story, along with a documentary called Nadiya: Anxiety And Me. She even made Queen Elizabeth's 90th birthday cake!
Series 7- Candice Brown
Candice Brown is another The Great British Bake Off winner who has many talents. Previously a PE teacher, she quit to pursue her baking career full-time and was on a number of TV shows like Loose Women and Dancing on Ice. She also worked in Tom Kerridge's kitchen before buying a pub with her brother. Along with this, Candice has her own media company, a column for The Sunday Times, and a cookbook called Comfort: Delicious Bakes and Family treats.
Series 8- Sophie Faldo
Series 8 ended with a win by Sophie Faldo, who has had a lifetime of achievements, from winning a rowing medal to being a ballerina. Unfortunately, many remember this Great British Bake Off winner's success best because of judge Prue Leith's mistake- he accidentally revealed it hours before the final episode aired, because of a time difference. After winning, Faldo launched Sophie Faldo Couture Cakes, with which she makes luxury cakes for special occasions. Faldo is also releasing a recipe blog soon!
Series 9- Rahul Mandal
Rahul Mandal, the winner of series 9, is another one of the most popular contestants on The Great British Bake off. After winning, he made a number of TV appearances and published his recipes nationally. However, Mandal says that he doesn't feel inclined to make his passion for baking into a career, and has continued working as an engineering researcher at the University of Sheffield's Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre. He continues baking as a passion and shares delicious desserts on his social media accounts.
Series 10- David Atherton
The winner of series 10, David Atherton, has continued his passion of food and cooking after winning GBBO. After winning, he published a children's cookbook called My First Cook Book: Make, Bake and Learn to Cook. David is passionate about health food, and has published a second book Good to Eat: Read food to nourish and sustain you for life, along with writing for a fitness and food column in The Guardian called Fit Food.
Series 11- Peter Sawkins
Our favorite baking show's most recent success was Scottish Peter Sawkins, who won at just 20 years old. He won Bake Off in the middle of his college degree, so he has continued pursuing a major in Finance and Accounting at Edinburgh University. Peter is president of the university's badminton club, and his fellow students have a petition going to have a building on campus renamed after him. Peter is continuing his baking passion as well, and his first recipe book Peter Bakes will be published next month.
