John Whaite

“It seems unlikely that a 70-something-year-old grandmother could be one of Britain's most iconic celebrities, but Mary Berry defies all expectations.”

“Baking as a career is very different to baking as a hobby. Business plans are needed and it's not all plain sailing.”

“I definitely want to bake professionally, but as a home baker I am going to need training.”

“There's little in life so disappointing as a sunken cake.”

“I always wanted to be in the food industry, so I had to break away from the novelty of the 'Bake Off' and actually learn my trade. So, I had to go to Le Cordon Bleu to train.”

“A lot of people struggle, whether you're a man, woman, non-binary... but I think men, in particular, are conditioned from a very early age not to talk about how they feel, not to cry, not to ask for help.”

“Especially as a chef, I didn't really want to talk about it because I felt like it kind of undermined my entire career. How can a chef who writes recipes and books and cooks on TV, how can he realistically have bulimia?”

“I've always had down days and up days - and by down I mean unable to get out of bed, by up I mean being hyper and elated.”

“When I started to use fewer ingredients in my cooking, I was reminded of the uncomplicated flavours of my childhood.”

“In my family, depression is spoken of in hushed tones. As farmers we have always ploughed through our feelings.”

“I've grown to love veg - I didn't have a choice - and I've always been mad on cauliflower. It has a gentle nutty sweetness that intensifies when cooked; and you can't deny that a bowlful of cauliflower cheese is one of the ultimate comfort foods.”

“Relationships have to come first.”

“Porridge, for me, has always been of the Scottish variety: salted, and for breakfast. The idea of claggy oatmeal mixed with hollandaise and a runny poached egg is almost nauseating.”

“To be classed as Britain's best amateur baker was something I never envisaged; but to be able to have such an accolade in my one true passion is absolutely incredible.”

“A cake overpopulated with air is due to either too much chemical raising agent, an over zealous whisker, or a yeasted dough/batter that has had too long a rising stage.”

“When you come into the food industry from the 'Bake Off,' you're very much at the lower end of the food chain, if you'll excuse the pun. In the industry, you have to get the experience, you have to learn the skill. As a home baker - that's how you win the competition - you aren't a professional.”

“People think if you win the 'Bake Off' you walk straight into a big book deal and all of this but it isn't like that. You've still got to work really, really hard - probably harder than before - to make the right connections, to tour with brands, to discuss opportunities and negotiations.”

“Nigella Lawson is truly sexy.”

“Read a recipe twice, weigh all the ingredients out before you start so that you don't forget something and start with a clean kitchen.”

“One of my favourite low-carb suppers is a Spanish tortilla using cauliflower in place of the potato.”