'I was a finalist on Bake Off - here is how you get chosen as a contestant'

The Great British Bake Off is arguably one of the most iconic shows on British television today. Each year, thousands of applicants are desperate to be featured and show off their baking skills to judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood. One successful contestant who made it all the way to the final in 2023 is Josh Smalley. Speaking exclusively to Express Online, the baker has lifted the lid on what he believes made him stand out in order to get chosen. He also revealed the biggest thing that surprised him during the whole process, and what judge Paul Hollywood was like whilst the cameras were not rolling.

He said: "I was blown away to learn that the show receives up to 20,000 applications every year - it really put into perspective how incredible it was for all of us to make it to the final 12."

He added: "What perhaps helped my selection was also my love of variety. While some bakers may specialise in cakes, for example, I enjoy making everything from bread and biscuits to puddings and patisserie, so I think that broad range of skills played a part. I've also always loved photographing and documenting my bakes, which I think helped create a strong portfolio for the production team to consider.

"And then, during the audition process, alongside preparing the range of bakes, I tried to showcase my passion for storytelling through the way I assembled and presented them - something that's at the heart of all the Bake Off challenges."

When quizzed about whether Josh's chemistry background influenced his bakes, he said: "Definitely! I approached recipe testing at home in much the same way I would optimise an experiment in the lab-systematically tweaking ingredient ratios, flavours, textures, oven temperatures, and timings, then carefully documenting the outcomes before reviewing which gave the best result.

"That experimental mindset really helped me refine my ideas before stepping into the tent. Once the challenges began, my background as a chemist came through in how I organised myself. Just as I would set up an experiment with precise measurements, clear step-by-step plans, and strict timings, I applied the same discipline to baking. That structure and attention to detail made it much easier to stay calm under pressure and deliver a finished bake within the tight time limits."

He added: "For me, the beauty of baking is that it's where precision and creativity meet. Science gives you the overall structure, understanding the ratios, reactions, and processes, so your bake works as it should, providing reliability and consistency. But once you've mastered that foundation, the artistic side takes over in how you decorate and tell a story through the bake, giving it its individuality. On Bake Off, I loved that balance, using my chemistry background to get the technical side right, then layering in artistry to bring the bake to life and make it my own."

Josh Smalley is speaking at New Scientist Live which takes place on October 19-20 at ExCeL, London. To book tickets visit: New Scientist Live 2025 - Ticket types