The Great British Bake Off has been a mainstay on our screens since it first aired 15 years ago. And it’s become the perfect platform for passionate home-bakers to build successful careers.
As series 16 kicks off on 2 September, we’re taking a look at some of the previous contestants to see if their careers have taken off since Bake Off. So what have the stand-out stars of the show been up to since competing?
And if you’re a star-baker in the making or just want something sweet after watching the show, why not take a look at the bakery hotspots in the UK?
Nadiya Hussain
Nadiya Hussain’s journey since winning The GBBO in 2015 is a masterclass in building a personal brand.
Since her win, Nadiya has become a prolific author, writing everything from cookbooks to children’s books and a candid memoir.
She’s also a familiar face on our screens, fronting TV shows like ‘The Chronicles of Nadiya’ and ‘Nadiya’s Time to Eat,’ sharing her culinary skills and personal story. And one of her latest ventures is her own home and cookware collection.
Her warm personality and relatable storytelling consistently shine through in all her projects. These traits helped her to co-create a spice range with Schwartz that lines the shelves of Tesco’s all around the country.
Candice Brown
Candice Brown is another winner of The GBBO who successfully built a diverse career off the back of the show.
Opening the The Green Man pub in Bedfordshire is what Candice is best known for. Alongside her brother, she took over the pub to carry on her family’s tradition of being pub landlords.
And like many winners of Bake Off, Candice has authored cook books like ‘Comfort: Delicious Bakes’ and ‘Family Treats’.
She’s also been the face of several product launches for businesses like Gozney and Breville.
Benjamina Ebuehi
While Benjamina Ebuehi didn’t win her season of The GBBO, she’s a great example of how to become a food entrepreneur.
Since her time on the show, Benjamina has established herself as a notable food writer. She’s authored several books, including ‘The New Way to Cake’ and ‘A Good Day to Bake’, and also writes a regular baking column for The Guardian.
Beyond her writing, she’s a skilled content creator and food stylist, producing content for her own platforms and brands.
Benjamina runs a newsletter called ‘sweet things’, in which she shares weekly recipes straight to her fans’ inboxes. The success of her newsletter shows how effective email marketing can be for entrepreneurs.
John Whaite
Another winner of The GBBO, John Whaite’s career has been defined by his versatility, transforming from a star baker into a culinary entrepreneur.
Like many Bake Off stars, John became a successful author, with a range of cookbooks including ‘Comfort: Food to Soothe’ the ‘Soul’ and ‘A Flash in The Pan’. But he went one step further than some of his fellow contestants, setting up a food publishing company called ‘Flour & Eggs’.
John also runs a popular bakery in Lancashire called ‘Ruff Puff Bakehouse’, where he makes classic french pastries with a twist.
Laura Adlington
Laura Adlington, a finalist in her season of The GBBO, has built a career that goes beyond baking. She became an influencer, promoting body positivity and self-acceptance to her fans.
After her time on the show, Laura wrote a book titled ‘Diet Starts Monday: Ditch the Scales, Reclaim Your Body and Live Life to the Full’. It focuses on body acceptance and challenging diet culture.
She also featured on a popular podcast, ‘Go Love Yourself’, which she co-hosted with her best friend. The show was dedicated to helping people feel more confident about their bodies.
And much like other Bake Off stars, Laura’s collaborated with a number of brands like Simply Be, Costa Coffee, and Maltesers.
Kim-Joy
Kim-Joy, a fan-favourite from The Great British Bake Off, has built a career that blends her unique baking style with a passion for creative storytelling and positive social impact.
After her time on the show, she channeled her distinctive style into a graphic novel, Turtle Bread, which includes illustrations of her signature recipes. And she’s recently branched out into self-help guides, with her book ‘Ordinary Joy: A Realistic Guide to Being Yourself’.
Kim-Joy is also an ambassador for The Wren Bakery, a social enterprise that helps disadvantaged women find opportunities towards employment through baking.
Harpreet Kaur
While Harpreet Kaur won The Apprentice, not the GBBO, she’s still proven to be a star-baker since her stint on our screens.
Harpreet opened a dessert business, Oh So Yum, shortly after winning investment from Lord Sugar. The business offered baked treats, delivered directly to customers’ door.
Harpreet is currently an ambassador for Simply Business’ Young Entrepreneur Fund. We’re awarding £5,000 each to ten young entrepreneurs to help start or grow their business.
Are you aged 18 to 30 and looking to take your business to the next level? Or know someone that is? You can enter the Young Entrepreneur Fund now.
More guides for budding bakers
- How to start a business in 9 steps
- Ultimate side hustle guide
- How to register as self-employed
- Allergens and packaging: a guide to Natasha’s Law for food and drink businesses
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