Great British Bake Off 2014: What past winners are doing now from Edd Kimber to last year's Frances Quinn

The baker who wins Wednesday's final can expect lots of new opportunities

Jess Denham
Wednesday 08 October 2014 15:00 BST
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Past Bake Off winners Frances Quinn and Jo Wheatley give a baking demonstration in Earls Court
Past Bake Off winners Frances Quinn and Jo Wheatley give a baking demonstration in Earls Court (Rex Features)

Tomorrow night, amateur bakers Richard Burr, Nancy Birtwhistle and Luis Troyano will take to the Great British Bake Off tent for the final showdown of the series.

The three contestants have all received positive feedback on their breads, pastries and cakes, so it looks set to be a close battle.

There has already been one big 'scandal' this year – Iain throwing his Baked Alaska in the bin and sparking the #bingate Twitter phenomenon, in case you needed reminding – but it remains to be seen what culinary triumphs or disasters will occur in the closing episode.

Emerging victorious in the Bake Off can prove a great launch pad, so it's time to take a look back on the opportunities that could be awaiting the 2014 finalists.

From books and baking columns to demonstrations and television appearances, what are past Bake Off winners doing now?

Edd Kimber (2010)

Edd was the first ever winner of the Bake Off four whole years ago. His triumph led him to swap his job as a debt collector for Raymond Blanc's pastry kitchen in Oxfordshire.

Since then, Edd has published two cookbooks, Say It With Cake and The Boy Who Bakes, with a third, Patisserie Made Simple, due out later this month. He has taught macaroon making classes in London, run a pop-up bakery in Fortnum & Mason and is 'resident baker' on The Alan Titchmarsh Show.

Edd Kimber has been busy since winning the first ever Bake Off

Joanne Wheatley (2011)

Jo has just finished a weekend of demonstrations at the Cake and Bake Show in Earls Court and is soon to present on the Interview Stage at the BBC Bakes and Cakes Show in Islington.

Since winning the Bake Off, she has given a lesson on scone making for The One Show, performed a cookie masterclass on The Alan Titchmarsh Show, enjoyed a week-long guest slot on Channel 4's What’s Cooking?, written a recipe column for Sainsbury's magazine and published a book called A Passion For Baking.

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Her latest book, Home Baking, is out now and she runs a cookery school in Essex, with details of classes available on her successful blog, Jo's Blue Aga. She writes regularly for The Sun newspaper and various food publications.

Jo Wheatley won The Great British Bake Off in 2011 (Martin Poole)

John Waite (2012)

John became determined to pursue a career in baking after winning the show in 2012. Since then, he has published two cookbooks, John Whaite Bakes and John Whaite Bakes at Home, and earned a patisserie diploma from Le Cordon Bleu in London.

Earlier this year, John launched his artisan chocolate shop, The Hungry Dog Artisan Chocolates. He runs baking classes and will soon open cookery school John Whaite’s Kitchen on his family's dairy farm in Lancashire.

John has described Luis as the "dark horse" of this year's contest but tips Nancy to win for her skill at remaining "calm under pressure".

John Whaite has been resident chef on Lorraine Live (Rex Features)

Frances Quinn (2013)

Last year's Bake Off was won by designer Frances Quinn. Since winning over Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry with her stunning three-tier Midsummer Night's Dream wedding cake, she has been producing recipes and features for a number of magazines and newspapers.

Frances has appeared on radio and TV up and down the country, as well as demonstrating her work at shows and festivals. Recently, she made a Giant Chocolate Fudge Fancy cake for the opening of an exhibition by illustrator Quentin Blake.

She is currently hard at work on her book, Quinntessential Baking, which is due out next August.

Frances is backing Richard to win tomorrow night. "They're all brilliant but Richard should win for the pencil alone," she said. "I could have done with having one behind my ear last year, to help explain my designs to Mary and Paul!"

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