An Italian engineer, whose father was a professional chef in Milan, has taken home The Great British Bake Off title 2021.
Giuseppe Dell’Anno, 45, triumphed over fellow contestants Crystelle Pereira, 26, and Chigs Parmar, 40, in arguably the closest ever final of the Channel 4 show tonight.
He is now the chief engineer and lives in Bristol.
After excelling in last week’s semi-final – winning a Hollywood handshake for his signature bake – Dell’Anno continued in the same fashion.
Giuseppe Dell’Anno (pictured centre), 45, triumphed over fellow contestants Crystelle Pereira, 26, and Chigs Parmar, 40, in arguably the closest ever final of the Channel 4 show tonight
Chief engineer and now living in Bristol, he was the first winner of the Italian competition after impressing Paul Hollywood (pictured together) and Dame Prue Léith (pictured jointly).
His take on the classic carrot cake with a fig and walnut jam was commended for it’s ‘delicious flavour’, despite it being warm when he put it together.
And although he was placed last in the technical challenge – having over baked his Belgian Buns – Dell’Anno impressed once again with his Mad Hatter’s Tea Party showstopper.
‘I feel it’s been a great year for Italy,’ Dell’Anno, who is fluent in English, French and Italian, said last night.
‘I truly can’t believe it or take it in, this has made me so incredibly happy to be a Britalian. Dell’Anno is my surname which translates in English to ‘of the year’ – and I feel this has certainly been my year.’
Dell’Anno, who is married with three young sons, was inspired by his father, who was a professional chef in Milan, where he was raised.
Dell’Anno, who is married with three young sons, was inspired by his father (pictured left), who was a professional chef in Milan, where he was raised
Dell’Anno added: ‘All I can think of is the reaction from my mum and dad (pictured). The fact is that everything I have done to deserve this comes from his heritage, it’s the best thank you note I can possibly send him.
Giuseppe Dell’Anno (pictured), who was inspired by his father a professional chef, said everything he has done is a thank you note to him
He added: ‘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 his heritage, it’s the best thank you note I can possibly send him.
‘He is going through a very bad time healthwise, so I think this is going to be a great boost.
‘I don’t say often or lightly that I am proud of what I do, but in this case I am really proud of what I have done. It’s unbelievable!’
It was a tighter competition than ever, with each of the three finalist being named star baker twice. They also received two Hollywood Handshakes.
Giuseppe, pictured with Noel, admitted that he doesn’t often feel proud of his accomplishments, but was stunned at the magnitude of it all
Giuseppe was described by Dame Prue as a “classic, beautiful breadmaker” who is a continuation of the long history of traditional Italian baking.
Hollywood (55) claimed that he saw the winner within week 1.
He said: ‘The first time I walked into the tent and in the first signature I saw his mini rolls, I thought that looks like our winner, you could see the heart and soul going into his baking. He has done an incredible job!’
Dame Prue added: ‘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.’
After beating England in July, Italy took the Euros title in July and won in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Bake Off has extended its license with Channel 4 and Love Productions by three more years, until 2024.
Crystelle Pereira, Giuseppe Dell’Anno, and Chigs Parmar compete to win the 12th series amateur baking contest on Channel 4.
In a last round of showstopper, signature and technical tasks, the trio hoped to please judges Paul Hollywood & Dame Prue Léith
Last week saw three-time star baker Jurgen eliminated, leaving fans devastated by his departure, which came as a shock considering he was the frontrunner.
Jurgen stated that he felt OK about leaving the semi-final. It was something I had expected. The others seem more surprised than me, I believe.
“It’s been amazing and it has been a pleasure to be here. “I have made lifelong friends and will continue to be close with them.
While the German physicist was expected to be the winner, she failed to make an impression during the semi-final with patisserie.