'Great British Bake Off' Rewards This Series' Heartthrob Tamal Ray With Star Baker, Fans Swoon
The Moment The Nation Fell For GBBO's Doctor Baker Tamal
Caroline Frost— The Huffington Post UK
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Revered chef and cookery writer Nigel Slater once asserted, "If there is a better meal than a bag of chips on the way back from the pub, I don't know what it is."
Well, if there is anything more appealing on national telly than a humble young doctor baking good cakes week after week and finally being rewarded, TV bosses have yet to come up with it.
There was a palpable tremor across the nation last night when Tamal was anointed Star Baker for the first time on 'Great British Bake Off', and smiled the humble smile of sweet victory.
This, followed by a collective sigh (or possibly a swoon?) when the first thing he did on leaving the tent was phone his mum to tell her the good news.
This was the trainee anaesthetist's first time coming top in the tent, and it wasn't before time for his many, many fans across the internet. By way of example... (and this was BEFORE last night's glory)...
And, lest you be thinking it purely sexual fantasising going on... Oh no!
For it seems humble Tamal has gleaned a wide and devoted following over the past seven weeks, judging by the outpouring of affection that accompanied his successful way with a Charlotte Rousse (that is actually the name of a dessert for those few who might not have seen).
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Tamal, riding on a wave since being crowned Star Baker this week
So what do we know about Tamal, and is he deserving? Well, we've gleaned that he grew up in Hertfordshire where his parents moved to from India in the 1960s. His older sister played a big part in bringing him up and taught him to bake. She gave Tamal the ultimate compliment when he was asked to bake her wedding cake.
Since then, he is regularly asked to bake family and friends' wedding cakes too - the largest one was five tiers, he reveals.
From his own hand have we learned that can swallow humble pie. When he thought it was all going so well last week, disaster befell and on national television the boy became the man...
What else could we possibly need? Oh, that he likes a sandwich. And how. In fact, the nation's burgeoning obsession with this young baking doctor could probably be timed from the exact moment he voiced his passion for "the top two sandwiches in his life", one of which was inspiring that week's 'bake' (the thing that Paul Hollywood has convinced everyone is actually a noun).
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Tamal remembers THAT sandwich
In fact, that sandwich seemed so imprinted on Tamal's brain that he could still remember the filling that was going to find its way into his vol-au-vent. "It was a pork sandwich and they fried the meat with the fennel and rosemary..." he smiled.
And then added, just in case there was anybody out there still not wanting to adopt him, "I think about that sandwich quite a lot."
Which is fair enough, frankly, as it sounds a sight more appetising than the look of Ian's squid-filled versions next door. Proof required?
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"Jet black food is a bit risque." Ian pushes the boat out with his squid-juiced vol-au-vents
Having been christened Star Baker for the first time, Tamal didn't attempt to be cool...
Tamal is now in the final five going forward into this year's semi-finals inside the tent, alongside Ian, Nadiya, Paul and Flora. While Ian must remain the favourite to take this year's title, there's no doubt who the viewers have taken to their hearts, although one question remains...
WHAT WAS IN THE OTHER SANDWICH, TAMAL? THE NATION NEEDS TO KNOW.
Who do YOU think is destined to be this year's Great British Baker? Check out the original lineup below...
'Great British Bake Off' 2015: Meet The Contestants
Stu, 35(01 of12)
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Stu’s a professional musician and has toured the world as lead singer of his band. He lives in Surrey with his wife and two children and has been baking from a young age. He used to watch his parents in the restaurant kitchen they owned and was always amazed by the magic of the oven and "how something liquid could go in and out would come this fluffed-up awesomeness". He is confident with most genres of baking and is fascinated by the science of it all. He enjoys trialling different flavour combinations, especially Middle Eastern spices. (credit:BBC)
Ugne, 32(02 of12)
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While baking is her main hobby, Ugne is also a bodybuilder. Originally from Lithuania, Ugne now lives in Essex with her partner, also a bodybuilder, and their two young children, and works as a PA and administrator. Ugne learnt to bake from her mother and grandmother, who used Eastern European baking methods and utensils. She loves English baking and each day makes her family bread, pies and pastries, but also likes to incorporate traditional Lithuanian flavours into her bakes to remind her of home. Ugne enjoys being ambitious with her presentation and ingredients - and isn’t afraid of the odd theatrical bake. (credit:BBC)
Paul, 49(03 of12)
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Paul lives in Wales and has been a prison governor for eight years. Before that, he performed ceremonial duties at Buckingham Palace in the Coldstream Guards. He sees being in The Great British Bake Off as “an opportunity to show that men like me, stereotyped by our jobs, do and can love baking and that it is a skill and talent to be proud of". He may have a demanding, authoritative job, but Paul enjoys learning intricate skills like sugar-work to make his bakes beautiful. When not baking, Paul loves the outdoors and exploring the Welsh countryside with his wife and three sons. (credit:BBC)
Nadiya, 30(04 of12)
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Nadiya has been baking for 10 years after wondering why her father only served ice cream for dessert at his restaurant. Her family is originally from Bangladesh, where desserts aren't a big feature of mealtimes, but encouraged by a school home economics teacher, Nadiya now delivers beautiful masterpieces at family occasions. Born in Luton, she now lives in Leeds with her husband and is full time mum to their three children. Having put her career on the backburner to devote her life to her family, with their support she now feels inspired to have her own adventure - and make them proud. (credit:BBC)
Tamal, 29(05 of12)
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Tamal is a trainee anaesthetist working at a hospital in Manchester. He grew up in Hertfordshire where his parents moved from India in the 1960s. His older sister played a big part in bringing him up and taught him to bake. She gave Tamal the ultimate compliment when he was asked to bake her wedding cake. Since then, he is regularly asked to bake family and friends' wedding cakes too - the largest one was five tiers. (credit:BBC)
Flora, 19(06 of12)
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At 19, Flora is this year’s youngest baker. An old head on young shoulders, Flora’s an assistant at a contemporary art gallery while she waits to start her history of art degree. Flora lives at home with her parents and two younger sisters in the Scottish countryside, 20 minutes from the nearest shop. But she always makes sure the larder is stocked, and regularly bakes cakes and loaves for the family, often filling the freezer up with ingredients. Flora comes from a big family of bakers and can’t remember ever not baking. But standards have to be high to impress her harshest critics – her sisters. (credit:BBC)
Alvin, 37(07 of12)
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Alvin is originally from the Philippines, and works as a nurse in Berkshire, where he lives with his wife and their two children. He’s constantly jotting down everything from recipes to techniques so he can pass all his knowledge on to them both as they grow up. Seven years ago, he questioned why he was buying bread and cakes when he had an oven. And now he bakes at least four times a week and owns every tin imaginable - much to his wife’s amusement. A true perfectionist, Alvin once baked bread every day for three weeks until he believed he’d got it right. (credit:BBC)
Dorret, 53(08 of12)
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Dorret’s family are from the West Indies but she grew up in Preston and works as an accountant. A self-confessed foodie, Dorret has been baking for 40 years and enjoys tap dancing, ballet and salsa to counteract the calories she consumes. Dorret and her husband regularly visit Michelin-starred restaurants for inspiration and ideas for their next culinary experiment, and often host dinner parties to impress their friends with their skills. Mother to her 21-year-old daughter, Dorret’s dream is to go to the Cordon Bleu school in Paris. (credit:BBC)
Ian, 41(09 of12)
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Ian lives in Cambridgeshire with his wife and two children. He’s a travel photographer and has the honour of being the Dalai Lama’s personal snapper when he visits the UK. In recent years, Ian’s become more of a househusband and while his wife heads to work he often spends his days making giant catapults and zip wires for his children to play with. He started baking six years ago because he wanted them to have fresh bread every day. Ian’s passion for foraging and travelling the world mean he’s never afraid to bake with an unusual discovery from his garden - or much further afield. (credit:BBC)
Marie, 66(10 of12)
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Marie was entered for The Great British Bake Off by her daughter, but her children claim at one point when they were growing up their mum couldn’t even boil an egg - so Marie’s come a long way. The turning point came in her thirties when Marie moved to Paris with her family and was inspired by all the French Patisseries. She fell in love with baking, specialising in elaborate, show-stopping decorations. But Marie also likes simple baking too and makes bread so her grandchildren can have “proper packed lunches”. (credit:BBC)
Mat, 37(11 of12)
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Mat began baking three years ago in between shifts as a London fire fighter. He’s now mastered not only simple cakes and biscuits but bread, pastries and pies. Preferring sweet over savoury baking, Mat calls himself a “competent amateur” who “learns every time he bakes”. Mat lives with his wife in London. He says his greatest ambition is to own a dishwasher. (credit:BBC)
Sandy, 49(12 of12)
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Sandy is a child welfare officer who lives and works near Bradford. Mother of one, Sandy says that she bakes to show her family, friends and colleagues that she cares about them. Sandy started baking as a child and likens her style to the way she’d describe herself: “it might not be glamorous but it’s tasty”. In her job, she helps young people with emotional issues and after work Sandy also volunteers at the school, running a cookery club where she teaches children from deprived backgrounds to bake on a budget. (credit:BBC)