Gabe for The Great British Bake Off S17 / © Love Productions
Age: 32
From: West Midlands
Job: Artist and Drag King
How did you react when you found out you would be taking part in this year’s show?
“There is an old saying, ‘drag is the art of delusion’ and I am nothing if not utterly delusional both in and out of drag. There was not a second that I didn’t believe I was gonna make it to the tent, despite not knowing if I had the skills to be able to actually deliver on every challenge. I feel I truly just willed Bake Off into existence. In fact, I said to anyone who will listen: ‘I’m going to be on Bake Off‘ and it happened! Never give up on your delusional dreams. So when I got the call I did feel like the universe had aligned and was delivering, but of course I also had a giant freakout too.”
Was your first day in the tent what you had expected?
“I don’t even know what I was expecting the first day to feel like, I’m someone who practices radical acceptance, whatever happens happens, that’s the way it is, that’s the way it feels and that is true to you (hippy dippy much). So I went into the tent that day very open-minded ready to receive whatever the tent had to give me.”
How was it having Nigella as part of the show?
“Nigella is a culinary icon, a pioneer of indulgence, and a let’s be honest, a bit of a sex symbol… so we have a lot in common really! I truly think the way she creates and speaks about food truly informed the way I bake and cook, so I went in feeling like she was just going to understand my bakes on a spiritual level. There’s that delusion again, see!”
Describe your baking style in three words!
“Artistic. Savoury. Intense.”
The Great British Bake Off returns Tuesday, September 22 at 8pm on Channel 4.
