Great British Bake Off finalist Steven Carter-Bailey makes his Shropshire debut mid-month, showcasing his talents in the food theatre at the Newport Show. What’s On recently caught up with him to talk about his craft, his role models and his dinner-party guest list...
How did you get into baking, Steven?
My mum showed me the basics over 25 years ago and taught me to enjoy working with food. I’ve self-taught myself food creativity and design over the last 10 years.
What inspired you to apply for the Great British Bake Off?
I’d applied a few times before with no luck, but when the show moved channel, I thought, ‘This must be a sign’. It was a work colleague who forced me into applying by telling my entire department that I was going to do it!
Personally speaking, what was your best moment in the show?
I would say the first star baker was pretty incredible for me. Despite how well I did, I didn’t believe that it would be me, so it was a genuine shock. I also just wanted to ring my mum and tell her the good news.
What's the best thing you've had the opportunity to do since appearing in the show?
I love demonstrating live. To me, it’s a kitchen with a lot of house guests, and that’s my favourite place to be. Also, being a news reporter for ITV London for a week was so much fun!
Do you still get time to bake for enjoyment?
Whether it’s baking for lunch or baking for work, it’s always an enjoyment for me. I’m more of a cook at home, but I’ll take any opportunity to bake a cake or rustle up some shortbread.
What does the future hold?
The future’s still undecided, but whatever happens, food will be my first love. I love performing and presenting, so if I could do that with food, then I’d be a very happy man!
Baking has definitely undergone a resurgence in popularity in recent years, but it’s not traditionally a hobby for younger men. Do you see yourself as a role model for a new generation of bakers?
I’m touched that, at 34, I’m still classed as a younger man! For both men and women, baking has become less of a chore and just another way to express themselves. If anything, I hope I can inspire people to at least try something new.
Which famous baker/chef is your role model?
My top three are James Martin, Nigella Lawson and Ina Garten. Their approach to food has always inspired me to perfect my techniques and try new things.
If we invited you for afternoon tea, what cake would you hope we’d dish up?
I’m British, so if you’re serving me afternoon tea, then it has to be the classic scone with jam and clotted cream. Nothing beats it!
If you were heading along to the Newport Show as a visitor, what would be in your picnic basket?
I love a picnic basket because there are so many little things to choose from, a lot like Greek food. So I would probably go for a Mediterranean-style picnic with halloumi, olives and dips. And wine, of course!
If you could host a dinner party for three celebrities, dead or alive, who would they be and what would you cook?
I would have to invite Jennifer Saunders because she would be the humour and entertainment. Stephen Fry would be the intellect and dry humour, and Sandi Toksvig because I simply adore her. We would have a very simple roast lamb dinner with all the trimmings. My mum hates lamb, so we never had it growing up, hence my love of it now. Dessert would be rich chocolate tart with a cinnamon Chantilly crème, just because I made it last weekend and fell in love with it.
Steven Carter-Bailey gives two 45-minute presentations at Newport Show, Chetwynd Deer Park, Saturday 14 July.
You can also see Steven at Lichfield Food Festival on Monday 27 August.
Great British Bake Off finalist Steven Carter-Bailey makes his Shropshire debut mid-month, showcasing his talents in the food theatre at the Newport Show. What’s On recently caught up with him to talk about his craft, his role models and his dinner-party guest list...
How did you get into baking, Steven?
My mum showed me the basics over 25 years ago and taught me to enjoy working with food. I’ve self-taught myself food creativity and design over the last 10 years.
What inspired you to apply for the Great British Bake Off?
I’d applied a few times before with no luck, but when the show moved channel, I thought, ‘This must be a sign’. It was a work colleague who forced me into applying by telling my entire department that I was going to do it!
Personally speaking, what was your best moment in the show?
I would say the first star baker was pretty incredible for me. Despite how well I did, I didn’t believe that it would be me, so it was a genuine shock. I also just wanted to ring my mum and tell her the good news.
What's the best thing you've had the opportunity to do since appearing in the show?
I love demonstrating live. To me, it’s a kitchen with a lot of house guests, and that’s my favourite place to be. Also, being a news reporter for ITV London for a week was so much fun!
Do you still get time to bake for enjoyment?
Whether it’s baking for lunch or baking for work, it’s always an enjoyment for me. I’m more of a cook at home, but I’ll take any opportunity to bake a cake or rustle up some shortbread.
What does the future hold?
The future’s still undecided, but whatever happens, food will be my first love. I love performing and presenting, so if I could do that with food, then I’d be a very happy man!
Baking has definitely undergone a resurgence in popularity in recent years, but it’s not traditionally a hobby for younger men. Do you see yourself as a role model for a new generation of bakers?
I’m touched that, at 34, I’m still classed as a younger man! For both men and women, baking has become less of a chore and just another way to express themselves. If anything, I hope I can inspire people to at least try something new.
Which famous baker/chef is your role model?
My top three are James Martin, Nigella Lawson and Ina Garten. Their approach to food has always inspired me to perfect my techniques and try new things.
If we invited you for afternoon tea, what cake would you hope we’d dish up?
I’m British, so if you’re serving me afternoon tea, then it has to be the classic scone with jam and clotted cream. Nothing beats it!
If you were heading along to the Newport Show as a visitor, what would be in your picnic basket?
I love a picnic basket because there are so many little things to choose from, a lot like Greek food. So I would probably go for a Mediterranean-style picnic with halloumi, olives and dips. And wine, of course!
If you could host a dinner party for three celebrities, dead or alive, who would they be and what would you cook?
I would have to invite Jennifer Saunders because she would be the humour and entertainment. Stephen Fry would be the intellect and dry humour, and Sandi Toksvig because I simply adore her. We would have a very simple roast lamb dinner with all the trimmings. My mum hates lamb, so we never had it growing up, hence my love of it now. Dessert would be rich chocolate tart with a cinnamon Chantilly crème, just because I made it last weekend and fell in love with it.
Steven Carter-Bailey gives two 45-minute presentations at Newport Show, Chetwynd Deer Park, Saturday 14 July.
You can also see Steven at Lichfield Food Festival on Monday 27 August.