Farmer Mike Wilkins represents industry at The Great British Bake Off

The 29-year-old baker works on his family farm alongside his parents and sister. Mike is an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community within farming and was an ambassador for the National Farmers Union in 2022. 

Mike, a Wiltshire farm manager, is a graduate of the Royal Agricultural University (RAU), in Cirencester, Gloucestershire. 

He is now competing with other contestants on the popular Channel 4 programme, proving that farmers can also be great bakers. 

Homely and wholesome 

Mike said that his baking style is “homely and wholesome”. He likes making big, hearty bakes using high-quality local ingredients that can satisfy lots of people at parties and gatherings.  

He especially loves using seasonal fruits and edible flowers from his garden and farm, and is even making his own wedding cake. 

Mike added: “My biggest baking strength is being able to whip up a massive cake for a big celebration or a huge batch of sweet treats to feed a big gathering, all at the last minute.  

“I am most likely to be baking after midnight. My friends always make fun of my midnight baking sessions, but they enjoy the fruits of my labour nonetheless. We’ve got a big family and a big friend group and I never like to go anywhere empty handed.  

“My weaknesses are timing and finesse, neither of which are important in the tent, right?. If I start baking at midnight, I usually wouldn’t finish until 3am, and by that time my finesse is even more lacking than usual, especially coupled with my poor coordination thanks to my dyspraxia.” 

Comfortable and supportive atmosphere 

While describing the moment of entering the Bake Off’s famous tent for the very first time, Mike said: “The tent is just magical, pure magic. It felt so much larger being in it than it does on the television, it’s so spacious. 

“Standing in front of my workbench for the first time was one of the most surreal experiences of my life, it felt like I’d won a ‘visit the Bake Off tent’ experience day, and at any moment I was going to be whisked away to allow the real bakers to get in there. 

“My other overarching memory from that first time in the tent was Gill and I trying our absolute hardest (and failing) not to fall down the steps on the way in.” 

The Wiltshire farmer added that the atmosphere in the tent is “very comfortable”. 

“The whole crew are so lovely, the camera people, sound guys, producers, everyone is so kind and supportive. 

“Everything just feels naturally conversational, and you forget that the cameras are there super quickly,” he added. 

Mike also revealed his favourite moment from the first episode of the show. He said that Alison and him singing and dancing to the Magic Mike theme in episode one was one of the “most surreal, hilarious, incredible and special moments” of his life.  

Mike said: “I will treasure that memory forever.” 

Support Mike by watching The Great British Bake Off on Tuesdays on Channel 4 from 8pm.

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