Peter Sawkins crowned GBBO’s youngest ever winner, who feels like ‘a giddy little kid’ after being superfan since 12
UNIVERSITY student Peter Sawkins has been crowned the youngest ever winner of the Great British Bake Off.
The 20-year-old beat Laura Adlington and Dave Friday to win the Channel 4 show after wowing judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith.
The entire programme was filmed in just 42 days this year, with everyone forming a “biosecure bubble” in Essex to complete the show.
And Peter said keeping his victory a secret proved particularly challenging when flying back to Scotland.
He said: “After winning the trophy I had to smuggle it on the plane back to Edinburgh. I was a bit stressed when we went through the scanners. And then it stayed on my family worktop in the kitchen hidden in a box. I can’t wait to crack it out of the box and give it as much use as I possibly can.
“Filming in the bubble was certainly a unique experience inside and outside the tent. It was a very intense environment to be in but it was hugely fun whilst filming and also in our down time.
“You saw Paul on his moped, the crew doing Yoga or playing rounders or tennis. It was like a grown ups holiday camp for seven weeks.”
Peter, studying accounting and finance at Edinburgh university, said he first dreamt of taking part in the show eight years ago when it was on the BBC.
He said: “I can’t quite believe that I am here, I can’t quite believe that I made it onto the show, and I can’t quite believe that the show happened. This is going to be a really huge chapter in my life, and what a way for it to end.
“I wanted this a lot, when I was 12 I was watching repeats of Bake Off back to back, and it got me into baking big time. I am a Bake Off nerd, and I think 12 year old Peter would be in awe, and just the most excited giddy kid. I am that excited giddy kid right now.”
The judges set them three tasks to take the title.
In a classic signature they had to combine set custard and puff pastry for a perfect Custard Slice.
Then a technical Walnut Whirl celebrating a classic flavour combination of chocolate and nuts.
And finally, in the Showstopper, the bakers had to show the judges exactly why they deserved to be crowned the winner, as they constructed magnificent dessert towers.
The judges said it was the closest final they have ever had to judge and the hardest decision to make, but it was to be Peter’s year.
Paul said: “Peter should be exceptionally proud. He is the youngest winner we have ever had and the first Scottish winner.”
And Prue added: “Do you know I am terribly proud of Peter and I feel as if he is my grandson. He is such a nice guy and he is so eager to learn, you can’t not like him.”