Nigella steps into the Great British Bake Off tent this week for her stint as judge alongside Paul Hollywood, following in the footsteps of Prue Leith and Mary Berry
Nigella Lawson (R) admits she was “worried” in the run-up to her new role
(Image: Justin_Goff)
Nigella Lawson admits she was “worried” in the run-up to her new role on the Great British Bake Off, saying you “wouldn’t mark me up” when it comes to baking. Nigella steps into the tent this week for her long-anticipated stint as judge alongside Paul Hollywood, following in the footsteps of culinary favourites Prue Leith and Mary Berry.
Starting tonight (September 22) on Channel 4, the 17th series will see 12 amateur bakers face off for a series of signature, technical and showstopper challenges. This week they will take on Nigella’s stout cake.
Nigella previously admitted that it felt “daunting” to follow such big names as Prue and Mary, but she was also “bubbling with excitement” at the prospect, dubbing the appointment a “huge honour”. As the countdown begins, though, Nigella has admitted she was “worried” about the job.
She told the Radio Times: “I was a bit worried because, well, you wouldn’t mark me up for my polished finishes as a baker. Generally speaking, I don’t think of myself as a judge.
“I came to baking later in life and because of that, it’s something that intrigues and fascinates me. I’ve learnt by doing and I’m a home baker, not a professional.
“It’s quite interesting because the contestants are home bakers, too, so I have sympathy for that.”
Even if she doesn’t think so, Nigella has the credentials to host the beloved food programme. Starting life as a journalist and food critic, Nigella published her first cookbook, How To Eat, in 1998.
She went on to host her first TV show, Nigella Bites, the following year, kickstarting a long career in the culinary arena. Nigella, however, is not a trained chef, previously describing herself as an “eater”.
Nigella had a somewhat dramatic start to the baking competition this week when two cakes sadly ended up on the floor, in both the Signature and “self-portrait” Showstopper rounds.
A baker was left in tears when the competitors tried making Nigella’s chocolate and Guinness cake. The unfortunate contestant dropped their offering as they took it out of the oven.
Host Alison Hammond took them outside for a chat: “Don’t worry, you can do it again. You’ve got this, babe.” A second calamity took place after the bakers finished their Showstoppers.
As they left the tent after their four-hour effort, a cake could be seen sliding off the workbench. One contestant told their unlucky co-star: “Remember what we said at the beginning? It’s just bloody cake!”
