It was a memorable moment when Candice Brown immortalised her parents’ pub in gingerbread on The Great British Bake Off last year, helping her on her way to become queen of the bakes.
The stunning showstopper not only reflected the fun twist that is an integral part of Candice’s baking psyche but was also a testament to a happy childhood spent chipping in at the family pubs in North London when needed, pulling pints and mopping floors.
And when she wasn’t helping out she was learning how to bake from her grandmother.
“I have always loved baking and used to watch and help my nan when I was little,” Candice recalls. “She was an incredible baker and everything was homemade.”
Being brought up in a pub meant she was always around homely, big comforting pub meals that her mum made and food was at the heart of everything she did.
“There were fish stalls near us and we used to go and buy pints of prawns to eat,” she says. “When we were on holiday we’d always visit food markets and wander round, trying all the different foods. That gave me a passion for food and an appetite to try new things,” she continues.
And that give-it-a go approach served her well when it came to applying for The Great British Bake Off. She had been a huge fan of the show since it started and even though she didn’t think for a minute that she’d be selected, she decided nothing ventured, nothing gained and applied anyway.
“Week by week I kept getting through and before I knew it I was in the final,” she says, still pinching herself.
“To win really was something else and I think my face said it all – total and utter shock!” she laughs.
“I felt delighted, amazed and very, very emotional as it’s something that I’d always dreamt of doing. It was an incredible feeling to be patted on the back for something that I had so loved doing and had worked so hard towards.”
With a degree in sport, PE and community studies, Candice was a secondary school teacher when she applied for GBBO and managed to juggle planning her fabulous bakes and filming the show with teaching lively teenagers. She is currently taking a break to continue writing her foodie column for The Sunday Times and sharing her stirring passion at food festivals up and down the country. She’s particularly excited about coming to Taste Angus at Glamis Castle on August 19 and 20.
“I can’t wait!” says the baking star, who is a firm believer in supporting local producers as much as possible. “I love food festivals and always went to them anyway but to now go and take part is incredible. Scotland holds a very dear place in my heart as my other half is Scottish and Mum and Dad took us to Scotland when we were younger,” she recalls. “It’s a beautiful part of the world and I take lots of inspiration from it.”
And Candice is looking forward to getting stuck into some traditional Angus fare. “Steak and chips is one of my favourite meals and Angus beef is fabulous,” she says. “My other half is also fond of a wee dram so that always goes down well too.”
As well as teaching the audience a thing or two about baking during her demonstrations – her top tips include using really soft butter when making sponges, not overbeating a mixture, and never being afraid to experiment – Candice will also be signing copies of her debut book Comfort Food: Delicious Bakes and Family Treats, full of recipes close to her heart, passed down from her nan and her mum. As always, she’s added a fun modern twist to traditional bakes – both savoury and sweet – without losing their feel good factor.
“I can’t wait for people to read it!” she smiles. “I’m so lucky to have all these new opportunities and I plan to enjoy every single minute of it.”
Comfort Food: Delicious Bakes and Family Treats is published by Ebury, priced £20.
