In the midst of such a taxing year, the Bake Off has brought a glimmer of normality and comfort to people’s lives each week.
The annual baking show could have easily decided to forgo their 2020 return, but they went that extra mile and created a biosphere bubble to keep the cast and crew safe for the entire duration of the competition.
Every episode was pre-recorded in their bubble earlier this summer, in consideration of Covid-19 social distancing guidelines.
The Bake Off was the sweet treat the country had been craving all year, and this week’s final did not disappoint.
Trainee accountant triumphs
This week’s final came down to the wire, with accounting student Peter Sawkins scraping the win with his final showstopper.
The ending episode saw contestants David Friday and Laura Adlington battle alongside this year’s youngest contestant through three culinary challenges – custard slices, walnut whirls, and a triple-tiered dessert cake.
Although each baker put up a fight, Sawkins proved his worth across all three stages.
At just 20 years old, Sawkins is the youngest contestant to claim the glass cake-stand trophy; born and raised in Edinburgh, Sawkins is also the first ever Scottish winner.
Sawkins continuously wowed judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith throughout his time in the tent, whipping up a storm each week with his immaculate precision and flavour combinations. He often dared to go gluten-free as a tribute to his brother, who suffers from Celiac disease.
From the very first episode that saw him awarded star baker, it was clear that Sawins was ahead of his years; he has reportedly been watching the series on repeat since he was just twelve years old.
Dubbed by co-host Noel Fielding as the ‘baby-faced assassin’, Sawkins proved to be a clear fan favourite from day one. He has gained more than 99,000 followers on social media throughout the competition, sharing his stunning creations on his instagram peter_bakes.
Although the future of baking looks bright for the Bake Off champion, Sawkins is set on focusing on his degree; he is two years away from becoming a graduate at Edinburgh University, studying Accounting and Finance.
The student’s attention to detail and pinpoint planning shone through in his bakes, and will surely see him through those long nights of studying.
Number crunchers
With three of this year’s contestants mixed into the accounting industry, the unlikely pairing of credits and cakes has proven to be a winning combination.
The competition saw Benin-born accountant Hermine sadly lose her place in the final during the penultimate episode, while Bolton-based management accountant Makbul Patel lost his place during the second week of the process.
