John Whaite Quotes

John Whaite

Profession : Chef

Birth : May 23, 1989

I mean, you don't go into 'Bake Off' expecting anything. There's no big-money prize, no contract. It's not like 'The X Factor,' where you're promised the Earth. In a way, it's a big gamble. If you're in an ordinary job - and will have to go back to an ordinary job - it's a risk. Your bosses might not like what they see of you on TV and fire you!

John Whaite

On 'Bake Off' there's lots of stuff no one notices until afterwards. At the time you're too busy concentrating. All the other bits, like the funny innuendoes, often go over your head.

John Whaite

I've always had down days and up days - and by down I mean unable to get out of bed, by up I mean being hyper and elated.

John Whaite

If you start thinking of yourself as a brand, you'll come unstuck.

John Whaite

It seems unlikely that a 70-something-year-old grandmother could be one of Britain's most iconic celebrities, but Mary Berry defies all expectations.

John Whaite

During the 'The Great British Bake Off' I didn't get to know Mary all that well. We weren't allowed to interact with the judges outside of their moments of critique and commentary.

John Whaite

Relationships have to come first.

John Whaite

I am a complete magpie when it comes to gold leaf. I use it throughout the year but it is especially fitting at Christmas.

John Whaite

How could anyone not use the humble chestnut at Christmas? It has a great flavour and can be used to make chocolate cake more festive.

John Whaite

Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without family.

John Whaite

When I was a young boy, I would wake to an empty, silent house. My parents would return home at lunchtime, bringing with them the mulchy smell of the farmyard.

John Whaite

Later, one of my first jobs was to feed the calves. It meant getting up before the crack of dawn and going to school stinking of manure - you can never shift the smell; it soaks your clothes and hair.

John Whaite

Make the choice, if you can, to get milk direct from farms or farm drop services. We need the supermarkets, of course we do, but we need our farmers, too.

John Whaite

We need to break the stigma around depression.

John Whaite

My parents divorced when I was seven and baking was something that helped me to take my mind off things.

John Whaite

I definitely want to bake professionally, but as a home baker I am going to need training.

John Whaite

To be classed as Britain's best amateur baker was something I never envisaged; but to be able to have such an accolade in my one true passion is absolutely incredible.

John Whaite

When you are concentrating on baking 24/7, it is incredible how much you learn.

John Whaite

The Great British Bake Off' has rapidly evolved into one of the nation's favourite TV shows.

John Whaite

I've grown to love veg - I didn't have a choice - and I've always been mad on cauliflower. It has a gentle nutty sweetness that intensifies when cooked; and you can't deny that a bowlful of cauliflower cheese is one of the ultimate comfort foods.

John Whaite