Bake Off contestant reveals who does the washing up
PA MediaThe Great British Bake Off contestant Yannis Ali has revealed who does the washing up on the TV show and the inspiration behind his week two challenge.
The 28-year-old paediatrician, originally from London, spent six years living in Norwich while studying medicine at the University of East Anglia.
He remains in the competition heading into week three of the Channel 4 show.
Last week Ali paid homage to his time in the region with a biscuit mosaic of the Norfolk Broads. He said: "I spent quite a few years living in Norwich and when you are away from your loved ones and your family like I have, your friends become your family and I have such sweet memories from that region."
He told BBC Radio Norfolk breakfast presenter Chris Goreham: "When we got the brief to make the biscuit mosaic... I thought why not honour something that is so special to me and just a beautiful region of England."
Ali said he also spent time in the smaller villages of the county and loved exploring the "nature-driven landscape" with his friends while at university.
He recreated a Broads scene with a windmill using flavours including Norfolk honey, pistachio and cocoa.
PA MediaAli's love for baking has been inspired by several food cultures and his first baking memory was making bhapa pitha (rice cake) with his grandmother.
Born in Vienna, he learned to make classic Austrian treats before moving to London when he was 11 years old, and watching Bake Off became a way for him to learn English.
"Being in that tent is one of the most incredible experiences and I know that sounds cliche because I know bakers in the past say the same thing," Ali said.
"The whole atmosphere being in there and you've got so many crew running around and it's incredible."
He said everyone on the show becomes friends quickly: "It is not a kitchen that is yours, it's not in your comfort zone. I am not baking at home for my nurses for work.
"This is a very different environment and you're surrounded by strangers that you have met the night before and they become your family in the space of minutes, which is bonkers."
And Ali revealed that there was something the contestants did not have to do on the show.
"We don't do the washing up, which is an absolute luxury," he said.
"So anything we use we just keep it in the sink, but anything I need straight away I will try and wash it and use it.
"There are crew who will take the stuff and they will take it to the back and it will get washed and cleaned and whatever you request again it will come back you sort of magically."
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