Northbank Speakers
Northbank Creators
Answering the #FridayFive today is baker extraordinaire Michelle Evans-Fecci, who tells us what life’s been like since The Great British Bake Off.
Could you tell us a bit about your job?
I absolutely love my job! I spend a lot of time recipe-developing in the kitchen and working on new ideas for brand partnerships. There’s always something yummy on the table by the end of each day!
At the moment, I’m conscious that people are feeling the pinch as bills and food shopping prices have increased. I’ve been working on recipes for one pot meals, easy recipes and baking/cooking on a budget to share with my followers on Instagram.
When I’m not busy at home, I enjoy helping my husband in our printing studio (@tradecanvasprint) where I help process orders and do a little admin work. We have just bought an old WI Hall which we’ve been renovating into a new studio for us to work from, so I’ve turned my hand to painting, sanding and laying flooring of late. No day is the same with me!
What are the key ingredients for success?
For me, it’s be yourself, find a niche and pursue what you’re interested in. I’ve always loved cooking and baking my way through the seasons, taking inspiration from what’s around me. I love to use local and homegrown fruits and veggies in my daily cooking and baking and enjoy growing in the veg patch in our garden. Nothing beats food from garden to table in no time at all.
Describe a normal day in your life.
I’m an early riser as I like to make the most of my day. Once my 17-year-old son sets off for college, I take our little dog down the beach – or through the woods when it gets a little lighter. Then it’s back to the kitchen to cook something nice for supper time or work on some recipes. Once my husband is back from work and my son back from college, we love sitting down for supper as a family and chatting about our days over the dinner table.
For those trying to break into the industry, could you explain how you got to where you are today?
I have to say, applying for The Great British Bake Off in 2019 was the best thing I ever did to break into the food industry. I’ve always been a massive foodie and have enjoyed sharing pictures and videos on Instagram (@bakesbymichelle) of things I’ve baked over the years. But being a contestant on the show really gave me the platform I needed to be seen.
I’m so grateful for all the opportunities that have come my way after being on the show. I’ve loved working on collaborations with some amazing brands and enjoy regular slots on radio and tv appearances for S4C. I’m so proud to have written a cookbook in lockdown celebrating seasonal produce which had always been a childhood dream of mine. There’s something special about people making my family favourite recipes in their homes as I do for mine.
What are you reading, watching and listening to now?
I love snuggling down into my PJs on the sofa at night and watching a good film or series. We’ve just finished watching The Split, and now we’re watching a series on Netflix called Midnight Club. I enjoy listening to Heart Radio while cooking and baking!