Describing his baking style as ‘cartoon-like, colourful and camp’, East Sussex contestant Janusz reveals what it’s like making your Bake Off tent debut.
Channel 4’s reality show, The Great British Bake Off, return to screens next week with 12 new hopefuls donning their aprons and waiting for the immortal words, ‘Ready, steady, bake!”.
Personal Assistant to Head Teacher, Janusz, grew up in Poland and moved to the UK 10 years ago. The 34-year-old now lives on the southeast coast with his boyfriend, Simon, and their sausage dog, Nigel.
READ MORE: The Great British Bake Off 2022: Meet East Sussex contestant Janusz
READ MORE: Great British Bake Off 2022: Who are the 12 bakers included in the line-up?
Emotional start for Great British Bake Off’s Janusz
First setting foot in the Bake Off tent was an emotional experience for Janusz. He said: “The best memory I have of week one was initially walking into the tent. It was when it hit me that I really was going to be a part of GBBO 2022.
“They warned us that every year one person cries when walking into the tent. I joked with the group about placing bets on who it would be, I just never expected it to be ME!
“Being on GBBO was something I never thought I would be able to achieve. It was my third attempt, and it was actually my boyfriend that applied for me each year without me knowing!
“The audition process was so much fun and each year I became more and more determined to prove to myself that I could do it. When I got the call to confirm my place this year, I was convinced I was being pranked!
“It was the biggest moment of my life so far and I was so proud of myself, but then the reality of what was coming sunk in and I put myself to work!”
Bake Off’s Janusz’s Q&A
Q: Over the years, who or what has helped your baking improve?
A: Over the years my boyfriend Simon has been my biggest supporter. He’s pushed me to do things I doubted I could do and had trust in me throughout the whole process!
Q: What’s the one kitchen utensil that you can’t really be without?
A: I would sacrifice my partner, friends and family before I let anything happen to my stand mixer!
Q: If you had to make a cake of yourself in your proudest moment – what would it be and why, and what kind of cake would it be?
A: I would make a cake depicting May 1, 2022. It was the day I left for GBBO and also the day we, well, my partner, moved us in to our first property we’ve bought together and was two things ticked off my bucket list in one day!
“It would taste like success.”
Q: As a baker what would you say are your strengths….and what are your weaknesses?
A: I think my biggest strength is flavours. I think I am quite an intuitive baker and like deviating from recipes and seeing how far I can take things. My weakness is time management, as I am so easily distracted!
Q: Is there any kind of cake or biscuit that you really don’t like and what is your all-time favourite?
A: My favourite biscuit is a Gingernut! I love to eat and bake them and have perfected my own recipe which is a favourite amongst my Polish and UK families which makes them extra special.
After twenty-five minutes thought, I honestly don’t think there is a cake or biscuit in the world I don’t enjoy!
Q: If you had plenty of time at home, what’s the craziest kind of Showstopper you can think of to make?
A: The craziest showstopper I can think of to create at home would be an edible 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle inspired by a childhood fear. Mine would be getting in my parent’s elevator in Poland which doesn’t have a door.
Q: You are given the prize of going up in a hot air balloon with a previous baker, who would you choose and why?
A: I would choose Laura Adlington! I love what she achieved in the tent and continues to do as a baker and a human. She seems like somebody that lights up any room and I feel like we are part of the same soul, and not just because she’s such a messy baker!
:: Great British Bake Off Season 13 begins on Tuesday, September 13 at 8pm on Channel 4.
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