Chemistry researcher joins next series of Great British Bake Off

The University community is showing its support as one of their colleagues and alumni, Dr Josh Smalley, joins the contestants in the next series of the Great British Bake Off.

His biography on the show’s website describes Josh as a chemist by trade and that he brings his scientist’s precision and keenness to experiment into the kitchen, taking careful notes on each part of the baking process and perfecting all his techniques for gorgeous results. He likes to take his inspiration from old baking books, reinventing classics to give them a modern twist, often by introducing alternative flavours and including the seasonal fruit and vegetables from his kitchen garden. Josh has been playing rugby for his local team for more than 15 years, and once a month he bakes lots of treats to reward his teammates after a rigorous training session. He dreams of having his own artisan bakery one day.

The Great British Bake Off is back, as the nation’s most famous tent gets pitched in the grounds of Welford Park once again. The new series of The Great British Bake Off starts Tuesday 26 September at 8:00pm on Channel 4.