Edd Kimber, aka The Boy Who Bakes, Grilled!

It has been non-stop for Edd since winning The Great British Bake Off  last year and we were so honoured to have him bake our wedding cake for us last month. We have had a peek at his first book, The Boy Who Bakes which is out in September, it is beautiful and full of brilliant recipes, some look easy enough for even us to try. Not only is he exceptionally talented for a man of just 26, he is also a really lovely guy.

This is the first in our series of grilled interviews, more coming up…

Our perfect cake, the most delicious lemon cake we have ever had, with macarons & cake pops. Photos by Jennie Filer

_____________________________________________________________________________________

If money was no object, where would you open a shop and what would it be like?
I have always dreamed of having a shop on Camden Passage in Islington. It’s a place very close to my heart for a number of reasons and I could see my shop fitting in easily. I want somewhere that becomes part of the neighbourhood where you can come and meet friends have some delicious cake or a wonderful cookie. I have had a sense of the shop for years and although the look has changed a bit over the years I can still picture it perfectly in my head.

If you had to eat the same meal every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?
It would have to be something comforting so carbs would have to be involved as I think all comfort food is based, for me at least, around carbs. I think it would have to be bolognese, which as a kid I adored so it has that nostalgic comforting attachment to it.

What do you keep on your bedside table?
There is always a notebook as I sometimes get ideas for recipes whilst dosing off and I need to write them down.

When is the last time you had a McDonald’s?
Last time was actually only a few weeks ago after a night out with my boyfriend and some of his work colleagues. It is safe to say there was a fair bit of alcohol involved!

What is your career Plan B?
I try not to think about plan b as I like to try and be as positive as I can but I guess I would say I would be food photographer as I really enjoy that process and love anything creative.

Do you ever bake just for yourself to eat?
Rarely if ever. When I bake these days it’s normally for someone else or to test a recipe for my book or blog, but I do still get lots of pleasure out of that. I still find baking a wonderful thing to spend your time doing even though it isn’t in the same way I used to bake.

Is there any food that you can’t stand?
That would have to be blue cheese. I try to be very open to trying anything but blue cheese is one of those things I have hated since being a kid and it’s bit of a psychological block I think.

Do you have any reoccurring dreams?
I am one of those people who dream and only remember what it was about for a second or two, then I completely blank. So I might do but I don’t remember.

Who would be your ideal dinner date?
I will have to be soppy and say my boyfriend. Thankfully he is someone who loves food as much as I do so we always have a nice time when we go out. Otherwise I would have to say my Nanna who died when I was very young. I get a lot of inspiration from stories I hear about her and the recipes she left behind. My Mum says she would have been very proud to see me baking professionally so I would love to be able to have dinner with her just the once.

What is the one object you can’t do without?
I can never be without my iPhone I feel very disconnected without it, I wouldn’t have Twitter or email! Sad I know! In the kitchen it would be my trusty Kitchenaid which I love!

The Boy Who Bakes, By Edd Kimber, out September, published by Kyle Books.
Pre-order from Amazon for just £11.89
Until then, there are plenty of gorgeous recipes on his blog
Edd has just started teaching macaron classes, more information here