Nancy wins the Great British Bake Off

Richard Burr was the hottest favourite in history of "The Great British Bake Off" so it came as a surprise to hear the announcement tonight when Nancy Birtwhistle, a retired GP Practice manager, was crowned the winner of the this years show, after her home baked final show stopper.

Unfortunately for Richard it all went wrong in the final after winning the title of Master Baker week after week. Not sure if it was nerve but he was well off his game and although he tried to get it back on the second day his presentation rather than his baking let him down.

After the first day the situation was that either Luis Troyano and Nancy Birtwhistle were in the running for the title of winner of the Great British Bake Off 2014 and in the end it was Nancy's Moulin Rouge cake that stole the show on the final day and saw her passing the winning line.

Mary Berry said of this years series: "You never know how the bakers will be affected as we go through filming week by week, but Nancy remained constant throughout. I think it was her quiet determination that drove her through, and the fact that she never really lost her cool. It was a close run when it came to judging the final, but Nancy is deservedly our winner and I must admit that I have been inspired by her baking. The bakers have been so keen, so creative and the results have been mind blowing. It's been a real joy to judge this year."

Paul Hollywood said after the final: "Nancy has been confident, creative and unafraid as a baker and that showed from the very start. In one of my judgings I called her close to perfection, so that says it for me. This series has been one of the best for me, as we have had great bakers who have built on their baking expertise each week. They have shown both a depth of knowledge and a sense of humour, you really couldn't have asked for a better bunch. 'They have really pushed the boundaries of technique this year."

I really enjoyed watch the show this year it has been great television and some of the creation have been incredable. My favourite was Martha Collison who did so well to come fifth at the tender age of 17, which is 14 years younger than any other contestants when she first appeared on the show. I think she did amazingly well and she going to be am incredible baker when she reaches Nancy's age if she carries on baking.

Great British Bake Off 2014

The count down begins to the new series of the Great British Bake Off which starts its 5th series in less than a weeks time on August 6th at 8pm , having moved from BBC2 to BBC1 this year after ratings peaked at 9.1 million viewers, the highest ever seen on BBC2. 

If you haven't seen it before each the bakers, all armatures are given three challenges: a signature challenge (which uses a tried and tested recipe), technical challenge (using a recipe provided by the judges), and finally a  showstopper challenge (a bake designed to impress the judges). During the show the bakers are assessed by the judges who then choose a "Star Baker" for the week, and a contestant who goes home. In the final three bakers are left and a winner is chosen from the three.

I never knew watching someone baking cakes could be so interesting to watch, although I have seen some amazing cakes made in my own kitchen, but it is. Hope you will join me and the countless other millions of people as the show hunts to find a successor last years winner Frances Quinn, from a group of 12 accomplished bakers and cooks. If you get hooked don't forget the "The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice" on BBC2 with Jo Brand.

Menu for the Week

With Friday coming up tomorrow Catherine and myself decided it would be a good day to workout the menu for the coming week.

It seems recently both the girls have been enjoying trying some new tastes and it is allowing me to experiment, making food more interesting. After some discussion this is the menu we have come up for the week:

• Friday - Baked sausages with roast butternut squash, green pepper, baby tomatoes with mash potato.

• Saturday - Cheese topped cottage pie with steamed carrots, and a cabbage medley.

• Sunday - Garlic roast chicken, mini roast potatoes, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower and yorkshire puddings.

• Monday - Beef stew with sessional vegetables, dumplings and mashed potatoes.

• Tuesday - Pork loin chops with apple sauce, runner beans, sweetcorn and boiled minted potatoes.

• Wednesday - Grilled beef burgers, roast mediterranean vegetables with potato wedges.

• Thursday - Roast Pork, Yorkshire pudding, carrots, bussle sprouts boiled potatoes.

The last time we drew up a menu and I published it to the blog it worked very well. Hopefully the same will happen this time and we will have some lovely meals to look forward too.

[Corrected - 14th November 2011]