WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS

AFTER 10 weeks, The Great British Bake Off came to a conclusion last night.

The three remaining bakers; Dave, Peter and Laura, had to tackle custard slices, showstopper for their three challenges.

Here is Sandy Docherty’s verdict of the final, as she closes her weekly Telegraph & Argus column which has been online each Wednesday morning while the series is on.

Sandy took part in the 2015 series and is the child protection and welfare officer at Titus Salt School in Baildon.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Peter celebrates winning the 2020 Great British Bake-Off final. Picture: C4/Love Productions/Mark Bourdillon/PA WirePeter celebrates winning the 2020 Great British Bake-Off final. Picture: C4/Love Productions/Mark Bourdillon/PA Wire

On the Signature – Custard Slices, Sandy Says:

“There can be only one.

“When you’re making something simple, itys always incredibly tricky because the judges are looking for precision.

“It has to be the perfect topping, custard and pastry.

“It was an emotional rollercoaster. Dave has watched and learned. You’ve got to pat him on the back. He has taken on board what’s been said of him.

“You are so set in your plans and thinking ‘I’ve got to run to these’. He has moved with the judges and really taken it on. You’ve got to applaud him. He is the biggest grower of the whole competition.

“Peter, it’s in his blood. He has grown up with it. Like us watching Blue Peter.

“Laura, a lovely baker with fabulous flavours. She did not believe in herself. Laura could not apologise more for it."

On the Technical – Walnut Whirls:

“It was a tricky little technical that one. My temptation would be to go and buy a box of Walnut Whirls. A biscuit, marshmallow and tempered chocolate on one of the hottest days of the year. My knees would have buckled.

“All in one place is posing a problem. You’ve got to hand it to them all. They all produced. Laura’s was one of the best.

 

On the Showstopper – What you have learned from show bakes:

“It took me a while to understand what it was they were doing. There was nothing we would go out and buy that they were making. You would not see them in the shops. It was a personal, individual thing. Is this a cake?

“Each showstopper, would I put each item together on a plate for a party?

They were making their own cake stands. It was quite a powerful showstopper to show your skills.

“I thought last night’s final was not full of amazing bakes, but it showed off their skill levels.

“In the end, Peter’s paid off and him having the skills. The boy has tried everything and has baking in his blood.”

On the presenters:

“It was good to see Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas genuinely tense for each of the bakers during the final. It was heart-warming to see that they weren’t just being humorous, but they were being incredibly supportive too.

“Noel’s face was a picture at the end.

 

Thanks to the show:

“We should be saying a big thank you to Love Productions, Channel Four, Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith, Noel and Matt for giving the nation a fabulous piece of work last night.

“They brought it together. The crew came in to make the garden party. It gives us something to be proud of. A tremendous effort.

“they really got the occasion of it. The crew were personally involved. The personal messages from home was heart-warming.

“If there was something good to come out of this lockdown situation last night, then Bake-Off did it last night.

“I think the right person won in the end. I was routing for Dave, but I think it had to be Peter.

Sandy’s overall Bake-Off verdict:

“It’s been different this year. I do enjoy it.

“I’m very, very conscious that it is a story of amateur bakers baking and not wanting to be on a TV show. It has to be a TV show for amateur bakers.

“We have had a good bunch of people this time. Ordinary people doing extraordinary people.”