Who won Bake Off 2021? Giuseppe crowned winner in final of Great British Bake Off - here’s what happened

The Great British Bake Off has been on our screen for the past nine weeks and finally a winner has been announced.

Through tough bakes and soggy bottoms, this years crop of bakers proved a talented bunch.

And in one of the most nail-biting, closest finals that the show has seen, just who pipped the post to take the title?

Who won The Great British Bake Off 2021?

This year’s winner of The Great British Bake Off was Giuseppe

The baker rose to the top of the bunch and saw off competition from runners-up Crystelle and Chigs.

What happened in the final of The Great British Bake Off?

Final week of the Bake Off does not have a theme.

Instead the remaining three contestants are given a mix of challenges to show off the best of their baking prowess.

For the Signature bake, Chigs, Crystelle and Giuseppe were challenged to make a carrot cake.

The sweet favourite may seem like a simple ask, but it proved to be a tricky bake for all contestants.

Crystelle was criticised for her presentation while Chigs and Giuseppe were both told that their cakes were too soggy.

Picking up a few critiques between them, Chigs, Crystelle and Giuseppe came out of the round on an even playing field.

During the technical challenge, the three were challenged to bake Belgian Buns with only two instructions on the sheet.

Giuseppe struggled with his Belgian Buns, admitting that he had never seen one before.

The Italian engineer placed bottom of the pack after overbaking his buns, with the judges claiming that he would have had a perfect batch had they not been overbaked.

Crystelle came out on top of the technical challenge which pushed her in front going into the tense final round.

The final Showstopper of the series saw the bakers challenged to make a Mad Hatter-themed afternoon tea filled with sweet and savoury bakes.

It was a tense affair for all, with Giuseppe panicking early on in the round after his oven hadn’t warmed up properly, setting him further behind Chigs and Crystelle.

Chigs took inspiration from ex-contestant Jurgen, who he said had helped him with his technique in creating “mushrooms”

However, everything came together in the end and all the bakers presented finished and incredible looking final Showstoppers.

Giuseppe was told that his creation was “simple but effective” and Chigs possibly came out best from the judges comment, only being told that his favour were weak in elements of his bake.

The shock came for Crystelle who was told that her attempt at focaccia was “unrecognisable” as the Italian bread, with no rise and more or less raw.

It remained neck-and-neck right up until the last moments, but in the end Giuseppe’s impressive journey in the past nine weeks meant that he was crowned winner.

What did the contestants say?

After the crowning of Giuseppe, he said: “There are no words. I am speechless for once.

“All I can think of is the reaction I’m going to get from my mum and dad. The fact that everything I’ve done to deserve this comes from his heritage I think is probably going to be the best ‘thank you’ note I could probably send him.

“He’s going through a very hard time, healthwise, so I think this is going to be a boost.

A teary Cystelle was overcome with her pride for Giuseppe. She said: “I’m so happy for Giuseppe. He’s an incredible guy - so genuine, and insane baker and he really, really deserved that win. His family are going to be so proud of him.”

Chigs also join the congratulations to the Italian, adding: “I am over the moon that Giuseppe’s won because I know how hard he has worked throughout the competition. It’s a euphoric moment.”

When will the Bake Off return?

Fans will not need to wait too long to get their Bake Off fix.

The show will return for a Christmas special featuring the cast of the Channel 4 ‘s hit drama It’s A Sin.

Olly Alexander, Lydia West, Nathaniel Curtis and Shaun Dooley will go head-to-head for the Christmas title.

The show will also return for a full series next year.

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