iit’s only fitting that the candy pirate would rob fans overseas. Dylan Bachelet, the breakout star of this year’s edition Great British Bake Offfound fame on both sides of the Atlantic and went viral when New York Times they called him the “Captain Jack Sparrow of Baking.”
“I didn’t expect that,” said the 20-year-old from Buckinghamshire. “The weirdest part was that it wasn’t in the food section, it was on the fashion pages… It was a big hit on my look, but people seem to like it, so it’s okay.”
Besides, Bachelet is more into the pirate lifestyle. “It would be a pretty sick life – on a boat with a bunch of friends just floating around. If I could be the real Jack Sparrow of baking, that would be bad.
15th series of Bakewhich aired its grand finale last week, was widely hailed as a return to form, boosted by new challenges, the antics of co-host Alison Hammond and a signature group of bakers. The Calorie franchise remains Channel 4’s highest-rated programme, attracting 7 million viewers a week and attracting a devoted international fanbase on Netflix.
Bachelet was undoubtedly its star. He broke records by winning two star baker accolades, three technical challenges and three congratulatory handshakes from judge Paul Hollywood. “I’m sick of shaking your hand,” joked Hollywood, who dubbed Bachelet “the king of taste.”
His adventurous recipes are inspired by his travels during the holiday years and his family heritage (his mother is Indian, his father is Japanese-Belgian). Bachelet boldly mixed sweetness with spice in high-concept creations, including a cake recreated from an ancient Egyptian canopic jar, a tiramisu designed to resemble a concrete block and a gravity-defying hanging cake inspired by the crumbling plaster of houses in Murano, Italy.
He went into last Tuesday’s final as the bookies’ favorite to become the youngest ever winner of the competition. Instead, Welsh pediatric nurse Georgie Grasso was crowned champion. “She totally deserved it,” he said. “Her cakes were great. Mine were poor.
Culinary stardom still seems assured. He has already amassed an Instagram following of 126,000, three times that of his other finalists. Not bad considering it wasn’t hell long ago. “I was inexperienced compared to the others,” he said.
“Before I came in, I had only baked 10 to 15 things that really worked. These were the pictures I sent in my application. From that moment on, I was learning on the fly. As practice time got tighter towards the end, my shots became less polished.”
Bachelet’s incredible style – flowing locks and a goatee, often paired with a bandana or boy hat – make her easily recognizable. “Walking around London last week, I was recognized every five minutes,” he said. “I would go to the supermarket and get stopped in every aisle. People wished me luck for the final. Everyone I met was wonderful. Although I was sent a few creepy DMs.”
His newfound status as a sex symbol surprised Bachelet. “I’ve never been looked at before,” he said. “It’s not something I would ever lean on. I will not start OnlyFans. My sister sent me TikTok videos of me burning meringue in slow motion.”
In one episode, his trademark is a massive piece of jewelry that includes Palestinian earrings. “While we were filming this summer, the war escalated,” he said. “Regardless of your political position, everyone can agree that this is a serious problem. Thousands of people are dying, but nothing proactive is being done in the international sphere. The earring was not meant to divide people.
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Bachelet gained four A*s at A-level and began a degree in biomedical engineering before dropping out to pursue her passion for cooking. “I was actually offered a job at Ottolenghi and I couldn’t take it because I was going to move on Bake. But I got my new job after doing the show, so it all worked out.
He is now head chef at The Five Fields in Chelsea, London, a modern British restaurant with a Michelin star. “It’s been a steep learning curve, but it’s a great environment. The pressure is much higher in a professional kitchen than in a tent. Bake it was fun and you were in control. At the restaurant, mess up and you’re stuffed.
His employers knew he was involved Bake but not how well it did. Colleagues followed his fortunes on screen every week and declared themselves “proud and overwhelmed” by his success. “When people asked [how I had done]i said “sorry guys i signed an NDA”.
Bachelet admits to stealing “a bunch of thermal pens and a whisk” when he left the tent. What else did you take from Bake experience? “It was life-changing. It has brought me much happiness and friends that I will cherish forever. We will all see each other this weekend, which will be a nice reunion.”
His ultimate ambition? “My priority is to learn more about food. I go to different kitchens and improve my abilities until I’m satisfied. When I get to that point, I’d love to have my own restaurant, but that’s small.
His American fanbase may also appeal. “I’ve never actually been to the States, so it’s surreal that they know about me there … I’d love to go.”