In Tuesday’s night’s episode of The Great British Bake Off on Channel 4, Peter was named Star Baker and Loriea 27 from Durham was the first baker to leave the tent.

This year, under exceptional circumstances, 12 bakers entered a bubble in order to make the competition happen. The iconic tent remains the same, but the bakers faced 30 brand new challenges set by Judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith.

With presenters Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas, the series kicked off the first episode with Cake Week. In the first challenge, the signature, the bakers got the opportunity to put their twist on the classic Battenburg. Next for the first technical, the Bakers had to turn out a Pineapple upside down cake that is one of Paul’s favourites. Finally, a Showstopper cake bust that gave the bakers a chance to express their creativity, as they paid tribute to their heroes. It was an opportunity for the judges to see what inspired this year’s bakers, and whether they had the skills to translate it into cake.

At the end of the first episode Matt announced that Peter was the Star Baker and Noel had the difficult job of telling Loriea that she would be leaving the tent. Loriea said: ‘It might have been nice to stay a little bit longer, but someone has to go. I am proud I did quite well to get here, and I stayed true to myself.’

Paul said: ‘I am so sorry, it was really sad as I could see a lot of talent in Loriea’

Here Loriea talks about her experience: ‘I was happy with what I baked and I wouldn’t have changed anything, everything happens for a reason. A bittersweet moment was that I wouldn’t have been able to go to my grandmother’s funeral if I had still been in the tent. So the timing was right that I left the tent when I did, as it meant I could be with my family and give a farewell to my grandmother.

‘I only went into the series because my friends suggested that I should apply. I have done it, and am happy with what I did, and I will now move on to whatever else I am going to do. It was great to bond with the Bakers albeit for a short time!

‘My best moment was when I spilled flour everywhere with the mixer, I put the head down and it flew everywhere, I thought oh no, but I was at the front bench and there was nowhere to hide. My worst moment was when Prue was apprehensive about my Battenburg. From the start she was unsure of the flavourings, she had a look on her face!

‘My family were so incredibly supportive, I tried my recipes out on them, and I used the flavours that they liked. As a life experience I have learned that I can do anything that I set my mind to, I can be a bit stubborn sometimes, but I think it’s ok to be individual and a bit unique.

‘I am a half full kind of personality, and I always want to approach new things just trying your best. Life is what you make it, don’t be afraid to try new things and the baking world is yours so just enjoy! I am still baking depending on my work shifts, and if I have had a bad day, I get home and start baking – it’s my kitchen therapy!

‘I will be watching the series each week, as long as work allows me, some of our shifts mean I can’t watch it live, but I will be watching it on record. The Bakers keep in touch with each other on WhatsApp and that’s great, and I know they will keep updating me, going forward.

‘It was not too difficult to keep it a secret because my close family do not live near me. My friends who helped with pushing me to apply also live further afield.

‘Overall this series, the worst moments were the various points when I forgot to listen and trust my gut instincts. Best moment was watching the joy on Matt’s face when he was trying everyone’s bakes.

‘GBBO has changed my life because it has shown me that I am my worst critic but it has also shown me that there are never any dreams or hurdles in life that I cannot achieve as long as I believe in my talents.

‘Next for me in the baking world - I hope to continue to garner new skills in baking and perfect those that I already have. I would genuinely love to teach those in my community how to bake, and how to effectively use baking as an outlet for bettering mental health. At this point the world is my oyster and it is really up to me to seize every opportunity that may arise from my time on the show.’

Loriea will join Jo Brand and Tom Allen on The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice on Friday 25 September Channel 4 at 8.00 pm.

Loriea, 27, Durham
Diagnostic Radiographer

Born and raised in Jamaica, Loriea uses baking as a means to celebrate her Caribbean roots. She moved to the UK when she was 15 years old, but began baking at age five with her maternal grandmother, whose influence plays a big part in her cooking style. Loriea loves to include coconut, chillies and cinnamon in her food – and rarely follows a recipe exactly. In fact, from the moment she reads a recipe, she starts to think how she can tweak it to make it her own. Her husband, Peter, is (of course) the biggest fan of her cooking, and he especially loves her Jamaican patties. When Loriea isn’t baking or working long shifts at the hospital as a radiographer, she likes practising the craft of macramé. Growing up, Loriea was really into athletics – and has even met Usain Bolt.