Hermine hoped to excel at Pâtisserie Week, but sadly it wasn’t to be and we had to say pud-bye. We sat down for a natter with Hermine about her time in the tent:
‘It should have been my finest hour on Pâtisserie Week as that is my forte, but it was not to be. It was heartbreaking to leave at The Semi Final. [But] for me it wasn’t about winning or getting Star Baker, I was more thrilled about getting positive comments from the judges, these are the things that made my experience in the tent magical. I bake from the heart and I want people to enjoy my food rather than taking the accolades. It’s been a pleasure, I believe everything has a reason and it was the right time for me to go. When I go home and reflect there will be a lot of happy memories, a lot of proud moments. I will take a lot of good things away from this.
‘Winning Star Baker in two successive weeks was amazing, and I will treasure that. It means a lot to me to come this far in the series. In the Quarter Final, Prue said I was an amazing baker and Paul said my poppy jelly cake could have come straight out of a Parisian bakery, I will take both of those comments! I got a handshake from Paul and also Noel – I was so chuffed to get one from each of them. And when Matt called Prue’s appreciation of my bake a Pruegasm, what more could I ask for? I have very happy memories of my time in the tent.
‘Living in the bubble with my son Stephen was amazing, he definitely had the best summer of his life. I could focus on baking and practising more than I could do at home. I did worry that I wasn’t giving him my full attention but he had a great time, and Paul gave him a ride in his car. Stephen left him a parking ticket on his car window for bad parking, and said the penalty was a ride in his car. Paul came to look for him and paid the penalty! It was such a nice thing to do. Prue is such a lovely person as well, and my son Stephen walked her two dogs – he loves dogs so that was an extra treat for him. Prue left him a lovely thank you note when we left the tent.
‘The bakers were such a tight group and to get to The Semi Final was something I didn’t expect to happen! I will be watching The Final with great interest as it’s the only episode I won’t know what went on in the tent. All three finalists have the potential to win, and I am sure it will be a very close competition.
‘My philosophy on baking and life is that you can be as creative as you want in baking, and don’t worry about what you can’t control in life. I have a serious day job as an accountant, but you can also have a fun side, you can be both. You have to trust the universe and it will take care of you, what will be will be and just enjoy your life and love it. I find laughing is a good way of breaking the tension; you can’t cry, you just have to laugh. I didn’t realise how much I do laugh until I saw myself on TV, I am even laughing about it now.
‘I bake from the heart. The sky is the limit and the possibilities are endless. I believe there are infinite possibilities for us if we are open to receiving. So, anything could be next for me, who knows? Let’s wait and see.
Hermine will join Jo Brand and Tom Allen on The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice on Friday 20th November at 8pm on Channel 4.