A Peterborough teacher is this year’s winner of The Great British Bake Off. Matty Edgell, 28, was crowned champion of the Channel 4 series tonight. He told the Press Association news agency: “Approaching the final I just wanted to give a good account of myself.
“I never focused on the stage we were at, as I knew that wouldn’t be helpful. I felt like I was the underdog so wanted to prove to myself and anyone else that my place was valid with some final worthy bakes.”
Channel 4 described Matty as the type of baker “who swats up on online patisserie videos before bed.
“No matter how good he gets, though, he strives to equal the impressiveness of the bake that first caught his imagination: a teddy-bear cake that his late nan made him for his fourth birthday.
"Spending the summer baking in a tent is something I will never forget"
Here's Matty's marvellous letter to all you Bake Off fans. ❤️ #GBBO pic.twitter.com/Tf4dovzNX8
— British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) November 28, 2023
“Now the family’s designated baker, he always has a list of cake requests for upcoming celebrations. He describes his style as rustic but neat, and his flavour preferences as quite traditional – he particularly loves chocolate, citrus and nuts.
“Once his days in the tent are over, his next – and even bigger – challenge will be to make his own wedding cake, a special commission from his fiancée, Lara”.
Matty has always credited his grandmother who inspiring his interest in baking but at the final it was judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith he had to impress.
Matty's 'Final Celebration' Cake Showstopper for the Bake Off Final. #GBBO pic.twitter.com/1OjtGI6fXV
— British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) November 28, 2023
His day job, for now, is as both a PE and science teacher at Hampton College, Peterborough; he also plays for Stanground Sports in the Premier Division of the Peterborough League.
