Top 10 Wholesome Moments on The Great British Bake Off
#10: Chillaxin' Selasi “Botanical”
With the pressure on, many of the amateur bakers on this popular competition show start to crack under the stress. But, in season 7, there was one baker whose attitude was so relaxed it was comforting. While others were freaking out, Selasi Gbormittah was taking every challenge with complete and utter Zen. When it turned out a fellow baker was making the same kind of pie as him, he didn’t worry about the competition. Selasi even took teasing with an amused grin and returned the favor with some meringue tomfoolery. His neverending smiles and cheerful attitude about the ups and downs in the tent was an encouragement to all.
#9: A Saltwater Cake “Cakes”
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Bus driver Mark Whithers tackled the first cake challenge with a recipe that allowed for maybe too big a margin of error. Even the best recipes can’t prevent a cake collapse - but especially not when the nervous baker keeps opening the oven door. Sue Perkins pulled the devastated contestant aside for a comforting host pep talk. In this feel-good moment, she pointed out that he not only had a fabulous tie, but also more chances to impress the judges. Mark took a deep breath and declared himself ready to continue. Like a parent playfully teasing their child, Sue helped Mark through his last bit of sadness with a well-timed silly joke.
#8: Wedding Reunion “Advanced Dough”
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While this didn’t technically take place during “The Great British Bake Off,” we just couldn’t skip it. Viewers are given the impression that the contestants leave each season as great friends. This definitely is true with the cast of season 5. At 17 years old, Martha Collison was the youngest contestant to ever take part in the show. She made it all the way to the quarter-final and was clearly a favorite to all. Ten years after their season aired, Martha invited her former cast members to her wedding. They not only attended, but each baked a special cake for the bride and groom. The messages and photos on Instagram show that these contestants are still very much in each other’s hearts.
#7: A Little Boost “The Roaring Twenties”
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Traditionally, the British keep a firm handle on their emotions. Michael Chakraverty from season 10 was delightfully dramatic. He was free with laughter, tears and hyperbole. However, when it looked likely that Michael would walk away from a tricky technical bake, host Noel Fielding stepped in to help. Usually Sandi was the host to provide comfort, and Noel’s role was to tease and make jokes. In this moment, the usually comic host was quietly supportive and talked the stressed contestant through the panic, which was a nice change in pace and a very sweet moment.
#6: Celebrating Differences “Free-from”
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Lizzie Acker spent weeks on the show trying to impress the judges with more than her flavors. Most of her bakes were described as tasty but lacking finesse. She finally achieved her goal when she created a cake to celebrate her own differences. Lizzie shared her struggles as someone who grew up with a lot of Special Educational Needs. She felt this was something that could use more representation in the media, so she produced a wildly colorful cake to celebrate her own brain. The audience shared in Lizzie’s triumph as she finally received rave reviews for her unique style. Equally heart-warming was the delight on the faces of her fellow contestants.
#5: A Baking Lifeline “Spice”
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Terry Hartill, the creative and artistic baker from the 9th season, was a consistently cheerful presence in the tent. However, in a tearful exit speech he expressed how important the show had been to him. His wife had passed away the year before, and it had been a very difficult time. Baking helped Terry fill the void that was left behind and the time he spent on the show helped him make friends and gave him something new to focus on. At the end of the season, there was a montage of photos showing what the bakers were doing back home. It was so nice to see Terry meeting up with fellow contestants and their families.
#4: Making Grandma Proud “Pastry”
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The “The Great British Bake Off” spinoff “Junior Bake Off” had its first U.S. Netflix release in August of 2022. Fans may have recognized one of the judges as a former contestant of the original show. Although he’s now on the other side of the table, Liam Charles was only 19 years old when he competed in season 8. Although Liam had many humorous moments on the show, the most uplifting was when he based a pastry on his grandmother’s Sunday dinners. He was over the moon that the judges liked it. The pure joy and excitement of winning the Star Baker title that episode, combined with the credit he gave to his nan was delightful.
#3: Fatherly Inspiration “Final”
Throughout season 12, Giuseppe Dell'Anno created delicious and precise bakes, often drawing on family recipes. He frequently credited his father as his baking inspiration. Making desserts for your children was a family tradition that he wanted to continue with his own family. In the final episode, Guiseppe was shocked to receive a video message from his elderly father. The brief encouragement brought the Italian baker to tears. In the message, his father told him that Guiseppe had become the better baker of the two of them and offered his unwavering support. This touching message from the man who taught him to bake must have inspired the finalist to even greater heights. He won the final challenge and ended the season as the winner.
#2: Rahul's Show-Stopping Handshake “Cakes”
If ever there was an Eeyore of “The Great British Baking Show”, it was Rahul Mandal from season 9. Despite frequent successes, the self-effacing baker always believed he was just one mistake away from going home. Rahul was adorably gloomy. In the second episode, he produced an intricately decorated and delicious layer cake. All were shocked when Paul Hollywood gave Rahul one of his coveted hand-shakes. This was the first time the steely-eyed judge had ever given one for a show-stopper. For one heart-warming moment, Rahul looked truly pleased with himself. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Teamwork Makes the Dream Work, “Biscuits” Fellow Contestants Help a Struggling Tom Get His Biscuits Finished in the Last Minute A Multi-Tasking Host, “Pastry” Mel Helps Frances Fill a Piping Bag While Giving Ruby a Requested Talking To Hey Look Ma, I Made It, “Final” Rahul Calls His Mother After His Win A Moving Goodbye, “Desserts” Priya Gives a Moving Speech About Finding Her Place in Baking Tearful Laughter, “Festivals” As He Left the Show, Michael Was Proud, Exhausted & Laughing
#1: Nadiya's Victory Speech “Final”
Nadiya was a favorite of season 6 for her sassy sense of humor and humble personality. The show-stopping wedding cake she created in the finale secured her the win. There’s no doubt her post-victory speech will go down in “Bake Off” history as one of the most inspiring. Nadiya tearfully declared that she was actually a little proud of herself. She vowed to never put boundaries on herself again: "I won't say maybe, or I don't think I can. I can and I will." And she did. Since her win, Nadiya’s starred in her own baking shows and hosted competitions. She’s published books and also baked a cake for the birthday of Queen Eizabeth II!
