Unveiling the Spectacular Journeys of 'The Great British Bake Off' Champions: Catch Up on Edd Kimber, Nadiya Hussain, and More!

The Great British Bake Off has produced numerous champions since it first aired on BBC Two in 2010. Its global appeal owes much to its availability on Netflix.

Viewers were captivated from the start by the charming participants, esteemed judges like Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood (later joined by Prue Leith), and the lively banter of hosts Sue Perkins and Noel Fielding.

In addition to popularizing terms such as traybake and Victoria sponge, the show has had a profound impact on the culinary world and has launched the successful careers of talented bakers like Edd Kimber, the show's first-ever champion. After his win in 2010, Kimber left his banking job and has never looked back.

Reflecting on his life post-win, Kimber shared, "I can confidently say that my life changed in every way I could have hoped for, in a positive way. Prior to the show, I was unhappy with my job and felt stuck in a rut. Participating in the show was my way of pursuing a career and a life centered around baking. Since then, I have been fortunate enough to live that dream on a daily basis and have been presented with incredible opportunities."

Scroll down to see where the other winners of The Great British Bake Off are now:

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'The Great British Bake Off' Winners Edd Kimber, Nadiya Hussain and More: Where Are They Now?

Since its premiere on BBC Two in 2010, The Great British Bake Off has produced numerous winners and gained a global following, largely due to its availability on Netflix. Viewers were captivated by the charming contestants, esteemed judges like Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood (later joined by Prue Leith), and the humorous hosting of Sue Perkins and Noel Fielding.

The show not only introduced popular baking terms like traybake and Victoria sponge, but it has also had a significant impact on the culinary world. The show's first-ever champion, Edd Kimber, left his banking job after winning in 2010 and has never looked back. After his win, he expressed his gratitude for the show, stating that it changed his life in every way he had hoped for. He had been stuck in a job he disliked and saw baking as an opportunity to pursue a career and a fulfilling life. Since then, he has been able to do just that, and has been presented with incredible opportunities.

Scroll down to see where the other winners of The Great British Bake Off are now:

Credit: Shutterstock; Courtesy Edd Kimber/Instagram

Edd Kimber (2010)

Following his victory on GBBO, the show's inaugural champion, Kimber, underwent a significant career transformation. Born and raised in Bradford, U.K., he bid farewell to his position as a debt collector at a bank and ventured into the realm of full-time food writing. Since claiming the top spot, he has successfully published four cookbooks, namely Say It With Cake, The Boy Who Bakes, Patisserie Made Simple, and One Tin Bakes. Furthermore, he currently spearheads the widely acclaimed "Stir the Pot" podcast, wherein he engages in compelling conversations with esteemed chefs and other accomplished food writers.

Notably recognized as The Boy Who Bakes, Kimber diligently nurtures an active social media presence. His Instagram feed frequently showcases stunning captures of his culinary masterpieces, leaving his followers in awe.

Credit: Courtesy Jay Rutland/Instagram; YouTube

Joanne Wheatley (2011)

Wheatley, the inaugural female winner of GBBO, remains the final champion to partake in a season with less than 10 episodes. Post her triumph, the London-born chef established her own culinary institute and penned two notable books: A Passion for Baking and Home Baking. She frequently contributes to esteemed publications like The Sun, The Mirror, and BBC Good Food Magazine. Currently, retired and residing in Lisbon, Portugal, Wheatley now shares her life with her husband and their adorable French bulldogs, Otis and Olive.

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John Whaite (2012)

In 2021, Whaite achieved a historic milestone as he became the pioneer celebrity on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing to participate in an unprecedented all-male partnership, dancing alongside Johannes Radebe. Their spectacular journey led them to the grand finale, where they emerged victorious as the runners-up.

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Frances Quinn (2013)

Prior to her triumph on GBBO, Quinn had a career as a designer specializing in children's clothing. However, following her victory, she redirected her artistic focus toward the realm of cooking. She published her first book, Quintessential Baking, in 2016, and now she crafts bespoke cakes for various events while simultaneously managing a highly successful food blog. Quinn's skillful work has been recognized in esteemed publications such as Vogue and numerous others.

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Nancy Birtwhistle (2014)

Birtwhistle, a beloved contestant on the popular reality competition show, has now ventured into the world of baking with her own captivating website showcasing a vast collection of recipes. Additionally, she captivates audiences across the U.K. through her engaging baking demos. To add to her impressive repertoire, Birtwhistle released her first cookbook, titled Sizzle and Drizzle, in October 2019. Reflecting on her time on GBBO, the proud grandmother expressed on her website, "It was the most challenging endeavor I have ever embarked upon, yet simultaneously the most gratifying."

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Nadiya Hussain (2015)

Perhaps the most renowned GBBO winner, Hussain has not only authored several cookbooks but also had the privilege of cooking alongside Prince William and Duchess Kate in December 2019 as part of a Berry Royal Christmas special, which was televised in the U.K. During an emotional Instagram post in June 2020, the U.K. native made headlines as she shared a distressing encounter with racism from years ago.

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Candice Brown (2016)

After winning the GBBO, the former school gym teacher made the decision to leave her job and fully dedicate herself to baking. She then went on to make appearances on popular British television shows like Dancing on Ice and Celebrity Mastermind. In July 2017, she also published a cookbook titled Comfort. Currently, she is the proud owner of the Green Man pub in Eversholt, Bedfordshire.

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Sophie Faldo (2017)

Sophie Faldo rose to the pinnacle of success in 2017, utilizing her skills as a former British Army officer. Post her glorious triumph, she ventured into the world of entrepreneurship by establishing her own business, Sophie Faldo Cakes. Specializing in tailor-made delights for various celebratory events, particularly weddings, she has garnered acclaim for her delectable creations. Adding to her achievements, Faldo graced the screens in 2019 as she joined forces with Spanish food vlogger Abraham Bandera Baez in the captivating Insight TV series, Travel with a Goat.

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Rahul Mandal (2018)

Contrary to most GBBO winners, Mandal, who is an engineer, decided to return to his initial profession after his victory. Currently, he works as an engineering researcher at the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre at the University of Sheffield. Nevertheless, Mandal, originally from India, still maintains a passion for baking and regularly shares captivating photos of his creations on Instagram. In December 2022, he happily married his wife Shreya.

Credit: Shutterstock; Courtesy David Atherton/Instagram

David Atherton (2019)

The latest winner of GBBO almost missed out on the opportunity. Initially a reserve contestant, Atherton was called upon to join the cast and replace another competitor just before filming began. Despite never claiming the title of Star Baker, the former health advisor emerged as the ultimate champion. Following his victory, he ventured into food writing by starting a column for The Guardian a year later, and in August 2020, he published his book, My First Cookbook. Currently, Atherton co-hosts a GBBO podcast called "Sticky Bun Boys" alongside fellow contestant Michael Chakraverty.

Credit: Courtesy of Peter Sawkins/Instagram; David Fisher/Shutterstock

Peter Sawkins (2020)

The youngest contestant of GBBO made his triumphant return to school following his groundbreaking victory. Sawkins, who is pursuing an accounting and finance degree at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, delighted fans with the release of his cookbook, Peter Bakes, in October 2021.

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Giuseppe Dell'Anno (2021)

After achieving the historic feat of being the inaugural winner of the show, Dell'Anno embraced a new professional endeavor as the senior manager of Research and Development at Sealed Air Corporation in Milan, Italy. Motivated by his triumph, Dell'Anno resolved to momentarily set aside his engineering aspirations and wholeheartedly pursue a career as a full-time baker.

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Syabira Yusoff (2022)

Yusoff made history as the inaugural Malaysian competitor to clinch the GBBO prize. Since her victory, she has garnered media attention from esteemed publications such as the Daily Mail, The Sun, Observer Food Monthly, and more. Additionally, she showcases her delectable recipes on her Instagram platform.