So in the end it was Nadiya Hussain’s showstopping lemon drizzle wedding cake that took the Bake Off prize, although her performance over the whole final weekend was stunning from start to finish.
Tamal and Ian tried their hardest, both producing treats that gained some of the best comments we’ve ever seen from Paul Hollywood, but it was too little, too late.
Nadiya’s iced buns were immaculate and flavour-packed, and her technical challenge millefeuilles left both Ian and Tamal in the shade.
By the time Nadiya wheeled out her dream wedding cake, with each tier beautifully iced, wrapped in its own sari and decorated with sugar flowers and jewels from her wedding dress, it was clear who the winner of this year’s Bake Off would be.
And what a deserved winner – Nadiya’s Bake Off journey has been wonderful to watch, and it’s been particularly lovely to see her confidence grow over the 10 weeks, allowing her natural baking talent and creativity to shine through. Her win prompted plenty of love from the judges and contestants past and present:
Well done to all the finalists and a huge congratulations to @BegumNadiya ..2015 Bake off champion "happy Nadiya ?" pic.twitter.com/pSgGslsElk
— Paul Hollywood (@PaulHollywood) October 7, 2015
2 share the best weekend of my life with 2 of the most wonderful people I've ever met - incredible. I am forever gr8ful for all of it! #GBBO
— TAMAL RAY (@DrRayBakes) October 7, 2015
I just leaked a tear of joy over @BegumNadiya's victory and HOW ADORABLE ARE HER FAMILY?! #GBBO
— Martha Collison (@marthacollison) October 7, 2015
Congratulations @BegumNadiya! You've been my Star Baker from the start. Can't wait to buy your book next year! #GBBOFinal
— Richard Burr (@RichardPBurr) October 7, 2015
And even George Osborne got in on the act.
Go Nadiya!! A brilliant Great British Bake Off final
— George Osborne (@George_Osborne) October 7, 2015
Nadiya came last in the week one technical challenge, and after Ian took star baker for three of the first four weeks, he was looking very promising for the win.
However Nadiya blossomed during the second half of the series, also winning star baker three times. She was the favourite going into the final, and the announcement of her win was greeted with delight by many, not least Nadiya’s family.
It’s fair to say Nadiya’s family were excited by the result… #GBBOFinal pic.twitter.com/JRoItvbNyr
— BBC One (@BBCOne) October 7, 2015
It was a pretty emotional end to a superb series, with a lovely speech from Nadiya that will strike a chord with anyone who has ever doubted their inner strength and courage, or made a truly terrible cake. This pretty much sums how the nation was feeling at this point:
I’m SO full of feelings. Let the nation REJOICE #GBBO
— Emma Kennedy (@EmmaKennedy) October 7, 2015
And then even Mary Berry shed a few tears, which I don’t think we’ve ever seen before.
WE. CAN’T. EVEN. #GBBOFinal pic.twitter.com/kHVUAM3ym0
— British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) October 7, 2015
Here’s what Nadiya had to say about her win:
To the amazing people who gave me this opportunity. To my gorgeous baker friends. What a ride . Thank you #GBBO
— Nadiya Jamir Hussain (@BegumNadiya) October 7, 2015
With all that emotion in the air, it’s probably time for a group hug.
Well done to our runners-up Ian and Tamal – and to all the cracking bakers in this series of #GBBO. #GBBOFinal pic.twitter.com/ag6oZKkXSQ
— BBC One (@BBCOne) October 7, 2015
But as a final word, this pretty much sums up how I feel about this show. Good work, Bake Off. Can’t wait for 2016.
What an incredible show, brilliantly made, full of heart and joy and everything good. Just loved it #GBBOFinal
— Dudley Cruse (@dudleycruse) October 7, 2015
