Q&A with GBBO winner and IOM3 member Giuseppe Dell'Anno CEng MIMMM
Natalie Daniels chats with recent winner of the Great British Bake Off (GBBO), Giuseppe Dell'Anno CEng MIMMM, about his experience winning the competition and his love for cooking composites turned into cooking cakes.
Congratulations, how did it feel to win the GBBO?
To be totally honest, I felt numb – it didn’t quite sink in immediately and you can probably tell by my reaction. It was a big shock but in a great way. I was absolutely elated. I think the reality of the competition is only just starting to sink in after the final episode was aired. The episodes were filmed in late spring/early summer, so I had to keep it all quiet for a few months. It was a lot harder to keep secret the fact that I was going on the show
What made you want to enter the competition?
I am an avid viewer of the Bake Off. As a family, especially during the lockdown we watched a lot of episodes and my eldest encouraged me to apply. At that point, the seed was sown, and I submitted my application. I never expected anyone to even read my application, so I was completely surprised when I had the first call to discuss the show.
You have worked in engineering for several years. Were you able to apply any of these skills in your baking?
Absolutely. Several skills you develop you can apply in your hobby, especially project management when it comes to being in the tent. You have to work to a very tight schedule, so you need to set yourself a timeline.
There are also more subtle things that you unknowingly transfer across. I have been baking composites for 20 years – it isn’t that different to baking a cake in the oven. It is all about temperature profiles, dwelling temperatures; you don’t want to overbake your composite and the same goes for your cake, so there’s many similarities between the two.
At the end of the day, you bake a composite wing for Airbus in a very large oven and though the oven at home isn’t quite the same, it is about temperature and process control.
How did you become involved with IOM3?
It is a long love affair. I first became involved in IOM3 when I entered the student competition in 2004, when I won the competition. I got to meet other students who had won in their regions in the previous year. I still remember that competition as I got to meet so many people in research fields across Europe – it was such an enjoyable experience and I have been a member of the Institute ever since.
What’s next for you? Will you stay in engineering?
The truth is I never wanted to do GBBO to change my career. I have worked hard in engineering over the years and so I am not going to give it up. I have no idea what the future holds for me right now. I am open to new opportunities and not closing any doors. I am keeping an eye out for whatever comes my way.
The last few weeks have been really busy with media coverage and so I am expecting it to settle over the coming weeks – I am not used to being in the limelight, but it is all positive and I am enjoying it while I can.
You can follow @giuseppecooks on Instagram to keep up to date with his bakes and more!