Crumbs: baker Briony gives good advice

Great British Bake Off semi-finalist Briony May dropped into our Junior School for an impromptu visit with a clear message for the girls - ‘Dream big’.

Her appearance, arranged by Redmaids’ High PE teacher Mrs Rogers who is a close friend, was met with eager questions about her nine-week stint on the popular knock-out baking show.

Briony, herself a languages teacher, revealed how her dream experience has opened up new career opportunities and encouraged the girls to consider the ingredients they need to help achieve their own ambitions.

She said: “There were several things that helped me get as far as I did in the show, including friendship, resilience, and patience.

“There were times when the judges didn’t like what I had baked, but I converted the disappointment into positive energy and came back better prepared.

“Even though it was a competition, we looked out for each other and as a result we made friends for life.”

Briony also shared some previously unknown facts: her favourite cake is chocolate; it took four attempts to perfect her Alice in Wonderland for 'Pie week'; the bakes all got eaten at the end of the show by the crew; and her favourite judge – Pru.