'It's a blur' - 11-year-old on Junior Bake Off win

Austin, an 11-year-old boy from Emmer Green in Reading, has recently achieved a remarkable feat by winning this year's Junior Bake Off. He expressed his excitement by stating that he would be watching the finale of the show 'over and over again. ' Austin was crowned the champion of the series after impressing the judges, Ravneet Gill and Liam Charles, with his exceptional baking skills. His final creation, titled 'My Best Ever Birthday Party,' showcased a unique design featuring a mini version of himself perched atop a beautifully crafted Victoria sponge cake. In this thrilling competition, Austin triumphed over 15 other talented contestants, including fellow finalist Deji, who also hails from Reading. Reflecting on his victory, Austin described the experience as somewhat of a 'blur' since being named the Junior Bake Off winner. He couldn't help but smile as he recalled the moment he received the news. Dressed in a beige apron over a blue flowery shirt, with his straight hair neatly styled, Austin radiated joy. In an interview with BBC South, he shared that he believed his musical-themed showstopper played a significant role in securing his win. 'I really enjoyed baking it, actually,' he remarked. 'It was quite fun. ' The judges were thoroughly impressed with his final creation, describing it as 'beautiful,' awarding it a '10 out of 10,' and labeling it as 'top-tier. ' Austin's mother, Georgina, who was present during the final, expressed her immense pride in her son's achievement. She recounted the moment she looked at her family and felt overwhelmed with joy. 'He put himself out there, he did it. I was just so proud of him,' she said. Austin also shared his thoughts on the filming process, describing it as 'intense' due to the numerous cameras capturing every moment. 'The corridor in between the benches is just full of cameras. and you just don't imagine that when you're actually watching it,' he explained. When asked how he managed to stay focused amidst the distractions, he replied, 'I managed to try and keep to myself and not try and look at the cameras. ' He humorously added that when presenter Harry Hill approached him, he thought, 'just make it quick! ' As the excitement of the Junior Bake Off comes to a close, applications are now open for the next series of the show. If anyone has a story that BBC Berkshire should cover, they are encouraged to reach out. Austin's journey in the Junior Bake Off has been nothing short of thrilling, and he is eager to see what the future holds for him in the world of baking.