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Cape Town - After weeks of baking and successfully completing 21 challenges Dot Dicks was crowned The Great South African Bake Off’s first winner.
The admin manager from Johannesburg was a consistent baker throughout the competition and won the coveted star baker title thrice.
We had a quick chat with Dot about her win, the Bake Off experience and what’s next for her baking career.
The show was pre-recorded how did you manage to keep your win a secret?
It was very hard to keep a secret, because winning something like this you just want to tell everyone. I’m not very good at keeping secrets, but I also wanted it to be a surprise. I didn’t want to spoil the show for everyone who has worked so hard to make it such a success.
What have you been up to since SA Bake Off?
Baking and keeping secrets! (Laughs)
What’s the strangest aspect of your newfound fame?
I had someone shout across a parking lot; “What are you doing here? You supposed to be preparing for your next bake.” I turned around there was nobody there. I still don’t know who that came from.
Have you been surprised at the interest in baking? Does it feel like there’s a home-baking revival?
Since I’ve been on the show I’ve had a lot of friends that have taken an interest in baking. These are people who have never baked or watched baking shows. I’ve already had requests from friends asking me to give them macaron making lessons. I think shows like SA Bak eOff make people want to go out and bake. They watched us bake and think to themselves; if they can do it so can I.
Do you have any tips for anyone wanting to enter Bake Off?
Just do it! I find it to be an incredible experience. If I hadn’t entered I would have regretted it for the rest of my life.
What’s next for you baking career?
I’ll continue baking the way I’ve been doing. For me it’s a hobby and passion and not a career, but I would love to use all my new found knowledge one day when my husband and I get our guest house.
