Amelia, a 24 year old fashion designer from Halifax, brought big flavours and a no nonsense approach to the tent, but Bread Week sadly proved a little too much. We spoke to her about her time on Bake Off:
‘It’s no surprise to me that I left on Bread Week, it’s never been my strength. I didn’t rise to the challenge of Bread Week exactly, but I literally had so much fun. I tried my best and I would like to think that I’ve proved I’m a good baker. The whole process of leaving the tent felt a bit like a break up. The sadness, the denial, a bit of it’s not you it’s me, so you have to remind yourself it’s still an amazing achievement. The bond this year was so intense, we will be friends forever, 100%. We bonded so quickly as we share the same passions, and fully understood how each other were feeling. We still talk all the time. Friends for life!
‘There were so many best bits and without it sounding cheesy, it was the friendships that I made. I’ve met up with a few of the bakers in London and have also been to visit Michael in Stratford. Next time I’m back home I’ll try and catch up with Helena and Dan too. I’m born and bred in Halifax and I am such a proud Yorkshire woman.
‘I have always wanted to be a fashion designer and feel really lucky to be doing what I wanted to do as a child. When I was 11, I got a sewing machine for Christmas – even at that age I started making clothes. I studied fashion at college and uni but I’m mostly self-taught when it comes to sewing, and I really enjoy working in a creative industry. I brought my fashion background into the tent and what I was going to wear each week stressed me out a bit. My outfit decisions were a nice distraction to the stress of the tent – sometimes I was more worried about my t-shirt matching my trainers!
Since leaving the Tent I have learned so much. Knowing what I know now, if I could do it all again I would do some things differently, but I have no regrets. I’m glad that I have learned loads from it. Prue and Paul’s feedback was very insightful and really helpful. Sometimes it can just be a small comment – Paul said to use plain flour instead of self-raising in my cakes – this means you have more control over the rise using different amounts of baking powder, so this is something I’ve experimented with since leaving. When I left the tent, I felt that I’d really got to know Noel and Sandi. Then seeing them again at the Final was really exciting.
‘My family have been so supportive. Both my mum and dad have been really amazing. My grandma taught me to bake when I was a kid. I would go there every other weekend and she taught me the basics. Her and my grandad would be so proud to see me on Bake Off. My mum used to be a graphic designer and also did a cake decorating course when she was pregnant with me, so I think I get the creative side from her. We all got together for the final episode, it was such a good day and was really nice to catch up with each other. It was so lovely to be back together as all thirteen of us again! My mum and my best friend are travelling down from up north to London to be with me for An Extra Slice recording.’
You can see Amelia (and her mum and best friend!) on The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice on Friday 13th September at 8pm on Channel 4.