The Great British Baking Show

Great British Bake Off applications: how to get on the show
Now that applications for the BBC's Great British Bake Off are open, former contestant Jordan Cox shares his audition

By Rebecca Hawkes12:47PM GMT 08 Dec 2014

With Christmas only a few weeks away, many people's thoughts are turning to Christmas cake, chocolate logs and mince pies. Ambitious amateur bakers might be planning something a bit more challenging: applications for season six of the BBC's Great British Bake Off are currently open, and prospective contestants have until January 11 to submit an application form, available to download on the Bake Off website.

Season five contestant Jordan Cox attracted attention for his flamboyant personality, and even more flamboyant bakes, but was sadly voted off in the third week, after his strawberry cheesecake brioche didn't turn out quite as expected. We caught up with the Nottingham-based IT-worker, who blogs at muffinimpossible.com, to find out how the application process for the show works, and whether he has any tips for budding Bake Off applicants.

First things first: what initially motivated you to apply for Bake Off?

It all started out with a love for the show itself. I was never the baker in the household; I left that task to my girlfriend. But after the first season started, I thought that I might like to try to “bake along” with the show, tackling each week’s technical challenges. As the season finished, I found that I had acquired quite a love of baking, and would look forward to each weekend when I could dedicate some time to the kitchen. As my baking improved, more and more people began telling me that I should apply for “that baking show on the telly”.

After applying, you received a phone call asking you to audition. How did that feel?

Surprising, to be perfectly honest! I never expected to even get to that stage, and applied more to keep my friends and family happy than anything else.

The first phone call came only a few days after sending the application form in – although I did apply very late in the day, during the last week that applications were open. It came at about 7pm on a Tuesday, and lasted for approximately an hour: we discussed my baking, hobbies, and work life. They even tested my baking skills, asking me to describe how to make a few baking staples off the top of my head.

What were the London-based auditions like?

The first time I was invited down to London, I was asked to bring a couple of bakes from home to be judged by the show’s producer and food economist. I sat in a small room of terrified people, all clutching beautiful products they had brought with them. I took along my sourdough whole-wheat croissants and a batch of toffee pie cinnamon rolls, hoping they would demonstrate my technical but unconventional style. I didn’t think I would stand a chance as I stared at a chap who had arrived with a couple of stunning baguettes. But it turned out they were for his lunch, and he had just picked them up from Waitrose.

What happened after you got through the first audition?

The next time I was called back was for the technical challenge task. In groups of 12, we attended a community kitchen, where we were asked to bake in front of a camera for the first time. This was the first time I met Diana (Beard) and Norman (Calder), alongside another nine lovely people. The fact that, even at this stage, they could put 12 nervous strangers in a room and have everyone get on perfectly speaks volumes about the casting process.

How quickly after applying did you find out that you were on the show?

I had to wait so long to find out that I was on the show – it was at least six weeks after the final audition, which in TV land is a very long time indeed. I was so certain I hadn't made it through that, when the news finally arrived, I was speechless – something that has never happened before in my 33 years of life. They wanted little old me? A nerdy, unfashionable baker of only three years? My mind was blown.

Was it hard keeping it a secret?

When the BBC came to my house to film the small behind-the-scenes parts (footage of me cooking at home, for example), I had to arrange for several of my friends to come round and take part. They all had to sign confidentiality agreements, which meant they were then in on my secret. This made life a lot easier, as it was hard trying to explain 36 doughnuts coming out of my kitchen every day during the practice weeks! It was a fantastic feeling to be able to finally admit to everyone at work that I was on the show, and announce it on Facebook. It’s not often in life that you go through such a huge thing without being able to tell everyone about it as it happens.

On the show, you received attention for your "wacky", creative personality and dress sense. Do you think this helped you stand out from the crowd during the auditions process?

In real life I am probably not quite as loud as I may seem on TV (although my long suffering girlfriend may disagree). I dressed in my normal attire during auditions, but my love of superhero-themed and "geek" clothing meant I was not allowed to wear my usual clothes on the show [due to copyright issues surrounding the use of brand names and logos]. This meant I had to buy a new, TV-ready wardrobe for the start of filming, which may explain some of my more “questionable” fashion choices.

I do believe you need to shine as an individual in the audition process. No one wants to watch a programme where 12 fantastic but boring bakers churn out perfect bakes week after week. The fun element of the show is derived from the various personalities and disasters contained within the tent. Do I believe I am one of the best bakers out of the 14,000 that applied? Probably not. But I am a lively character, who can also tell one end of a spoon from the other, and knows the difference between a pie and a cake.

What are your top tips for anyone planning to apply this year?

Be yourself. If you don’t, they will soon find you out. Don’t set your heart on being able to show off certain skills or techniques, as your bakes will be determined by the nature of the challenge and time limit. Lastly, and probably most importantly, remember that however good you may be at baking, everyone has an off day. You have to be prepared to have your failures shown to the world.

Was being in the Bake Off tent as stressful as it looks? And what tips would you offer anyone who gets that far?

I can honestly say that being in the tent was the most stressful thing I have ever done, by some significant margin. From the second they said "Go", on the first day's challenge, I fell apart at the seams. During the recipe development time, I went completely off the deep end, and tried to be far too clever for my own good. The best advice I could give, and the route I would take if I could go on the show again, is: "keep it simple, stupid!" Don’t try and re-invent the wheel. Bake simply and bake well. I think Nancy Birtwhistle [this year's winner] would agree with me.

How did your appearance on the show change your life?

Since the show has finished, I have had the chance to meet the British Women’s Olympic Canoe Team, swanned around with the baking glitterati at various food shows and fairs, been on weekly radio shows, and been featured on local TV and press. The level of support I have received in my home town of Nottingham has been overwhelming, as has the support of my family and friends. I owe them all a lot of cake for many years to come.

Before applying for the Bake-Off, I considered joining a pastry and patisserie course at my local college, New College Nottingham. Now the show is over, I have finally bitten the bullet and attend every Tuesday: my very understanding bosses have allowed me to take the day off. Being on the Bake Off has taught me that there is a huge difference between an amateur baker and a professional. I hope to spend the next few years shrinking that gap in my knowledge. If all goes well, you may be able to visit a geeky little cake & record shop in the near future...

For more information on applying for the Great British Bake off, visit thegreatbritishbakeoff.co.uk