The drama on the Great British Bake off took on a public service flavour on Wednesday as nurse Alvin Magallanes became the sixth contestant unable to take the heat of the Bake Off tent, while firefighter Mat Riley was named star baker.
Dedicated bread-maker Alvin said that, despite mixing up his ciabatta with his baguettes, the bread-based tasks had been his best.
He admitted he had initially been nervous about presenter Paul HolyWood’s “comments”, but said he was made “flattered and proud” by Mary Berrry’s praise and was “enjoying the fame”.
“All I ever wanted was to be part of the 12 bakers and there I was, it was so exciting, and no one can ever take that feeling away from me,” he said.
However, it was the biscuit-box challenge that proved his breaking point.
He said: “I just couldn’t finish it and I was so emotional. I thought at the time that if I push on finishing the box I will be going home, so I had to make a decision. I chose to fail on the box and make the brandy snaps, which I knew my daughter loves and I wanted to finish them for her, and at the end of the day abandoning the box actually saved me.”
Alvin, who attracted media attention for his Instagram feed of beautifully presented cakes and treats, said he wants to gain baking qualifications while continuing his nursing work.
“I am carrying on with my nursing, but would also like to take a patisserie course and get some kind of qualification working with chocolate,” he said.
“The family love watching the show and when I am cringing on the couch it’s good to get such good reassuring comments from them and friends. My daughter is my best critic and she tells me I am amazing on the show, and that’s good enough for me.”
