Loriea’s bubblegum-flavoured battenburg excited Matt, and her Showstopper was a spicy tribute to Jamaican poet and educator Miss Lou. However, the judges felt she hadn’t quite balanced her flavours and sadly, it was time to say pud-bye to diagnostic radiographer Loriea. Paul said, ‘I am so sorry, it was really sad as I could see a lot of talent in Loriea.’
We sat down for a quick bite with Loriea to chat about her time in the tent:
‘It might have been nice to stay a little bit longer, but someone has to go. I am proud… I did quite well to get here and I stayed true to myself. I was happy with what I baked and I wouldn’t have changed anything. Everything happens for a reason.
‘My family were so incredibly supportive, I tried my recipes out on them and I used the flavours that they liked. As a life experience, I have learned that I can do anything that I set my mind to. I can be a bit stubborn sometimes, but I think it’s ok to be individual and a bit unique.
‘I am a half-full kind of personality and I always want to approach new things just trying my best. Life is what you make it, don’t be afraid to try new things and the baking world is yours so just enjoy! I am still baking depending on my work shifts and if I have had a bad day, I get home and start baking – it’s my kitchen therapy!
‘Bake Off has changed my life because it has shown me that I am my worst critic but it has also shown me that there are never any dreams or hurdles in life that I cannot achieve as long as I believe in my talents.
‘Next for me in the baking world: I hope to continue to garner new skills in baking and perfect those that I already have. I would genuinely love to teach those in my community how to bake and how to effectively use baking as an outlet for bettering mental health. At this point the world is my oyster and it is really up to me to seize every opportunity that may arise from my time on the show.’
Loriea will join Jo Brand and Tom Allen on The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice at 8pm on Friday 25th September on Channel 4.