Bake Off 2021: Giuseppe Dell’Anno crowned winner of the series

Great British Bake Off viewers rejoiced as Giuseppe Dell’Anno was crowned winner of this year’s series. 

In a tense final, Giuseppe beat Crystelle Pereira and Chigs Parmar to the title after nine weeks in the tent. 

The engineer, who is the first Italian to win, impressed judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood throughout the competition, and the finale was no different, whipping up excellent treats in the signature, technical and showstopper challenges.

Reacting to the victory, Giuseppe said: ‘There are no words, I’m speechless for once.’

‘All I can think of is the reaction from my mum and dad.’

‘The fact is that everything I have done to deserve this comes from (dad’s) heritage, it’s the best thank you note I can possibly send him.’

Giuseppe valued the friendships he made over the series (Picture: Twitter, @BritishBakeOff)

Chigs (l), Crystelle and Giuseppe went head-to-head in the Bake Off 2021 finale (Picture: Mark Bourdillon)

Giuseppe said it was amazing to be the first ‘Britalian’ winner, having received incredible support from both Bristol and Italy.

Judge Dame Prue Leith noted the influence of Giuseppe’s heritage on his baking throughout the series.

‘He is such a classic, beautiful baker and he represents a long tradition of classic Italian baking. He has done it brilliantly all the way through,’ she said.

‘I am going home to make much more Italian cakes because they really are good.’

While being crowned the winner, Giuseppe was awarded with a cake stand and some flowers as there is no big prize fund for the winner, and no alluring £100,000 to help them set up the bakery of their dreams –  just the joy of baking and winning the series. 

Crystelle narrowly missed out on the victory (Picture: Channel 4)

The finale episode saw the trio tasked with making exquisite carrot cakes, Belgian buns, and a showstopper dessert inspired by the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party from Alice In Wonderland.

Before the first challenge began, Giuseppe had a tearful moment as he received a message of support from his elderly dad who is unwell.

At the end of the episode, it was revealed that Giuseppe and his dad were planning on writing a book together to ensure all their precious family recipes are passed on.

Hours before the finale, Chigs had told BBC Radio Leicester: ‘I’m nervous, excited – every emotion you can feel, I’m having right now.

‘It’s absolutely crazy I’ve been on this journey. I think my imposter syndrome is gone now though, I’ve done pretty decently and I deserve my spot in the final.’

Chigs was one of the least experienced bakers to reach the final (Picture: Channel 4)

More: The Great British Bake Off

Italian dad-of-three Giuseppe, 45, also said: ‘You always hear these stories of wonderful friendships being born in the tent. And I must admit that the cynical part of me has always wondered how genuine they were.

‘On our last day, Chigs, Crystelle and I walked into the tent knowing that we will leave it equally happy regardless of the outcome.’

Last year’s series saw Peter Sawkins become the youngest ever winner of the show and the first Scot to claim the victory. 

Great British Bake Off is available to stream on All 4.

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