Interview with Ellie Taylor - Presenter

Ellie is a comedian, actor and writer whose work encompasses TV, radio, social media, live stand-up and books. Her extensive body of acting work includes appearing as Sassy in all three series of AppleTV+’s award-winning Ted Lasso. She was part of the core cast of hit satirical shows The Mash Report and Late Night Mash with her clips becoming worldwide viral hits. One of them, “Women have told everyone to just f*ck off” has been watched over 100 million times and shared by Jennifer Aniston and Madonna.

Ellie was one of five UK comedians to be featured in Netflix’s trailblazing Comedians of the World series, with her stand-up special Cravings. She has appeared on a large number of comedy shows, including Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week, Would I Lie to You and 8 Out of 10 Cats. She’s also hosted shows including series 5 of The Great Pottery Throwdown, Let’s Make a Love Scene, You Won’t Believe This, and Cheat, and appeared as a contestant in the 2022 series of Strictly Come Dancing. In 2021, she published her debut book, My Child and Other Mistakes, which became a Sunday Times bestseller.

She is currently touring the UK with her stand-up show Palavering. This is her third series as presenter of Bake Off: The Professionals, alongside Liam Charles.

This is the tenth series of Bake Off: The Professionals. At some point, aren’t you likely to run out of talented professional bakers?
No way! There are heaps of talented pastry chefs in the UK. Whether all of them want to be judged by Cherish and Benoit is another matter!

The standard seems to get higher every year. Has that trend continued this year?
Every year the chefs are fantastic and this year not only are they great chefs, they are also such a close bunch. It’s such a cliche to make #friendsforlife on shows like this but I truly believe some of this bunch will retire together and live in a commune.

You’re back once again at Firle Place. What’s it like to film there?
Gorgeous! It’s a wonderful place to see spring spring! Gorgeous countryside surrounds us, which makes lunch breaks much more scenic than usual. Way more sheep than central London.

You always look like you’re living your dream. Are you ever not excited by baked goods? 
Never! When a woman is bored of cakes, she is bored of life.

You’ve said in the past that you’re partial to taking home some of the bakes. Did the Tupperware put in another appearance this time? 
Naturally… one the best perks of any job I’ve ever had! My family are pretty pleased with it too!

Your son was eight weeks old when you filmed the last series. You must have been running on fumes…
Yes, it was a pretty fraught time. It was lovely to film this year and not have to worry about when I’d find time to breast pump in between filming. I could just relax (and eat more cake…)

Filming must be a nice opportunity for the odd night of unbroken sleep, right?
I can’t lie that yes it’s bliss. Lovely hotel, hanging out with great people for dinner every night and no one making me wipe their bum. Heaven.

Did you have any favourite challenges from this series?
It was the first time ever for floating showpieces in the kitchen and boy did they not disappoint!

Do you actually get to properly observe and enjoy watching the chefs prepare their work, or are you always thinking about filming the next link?
No there’s plenty of time to take it all in. The challenges are always a few hours long so it’s a pleasure to dip in and out of the kitchen and see how things are going… and to steal some scraps of course…

Are there any challenges that the chefs always struggle with?
I mean sugar work is no mean feat. Even the steadiest most experienced hand can fumble when producing sugar work especially under pressure of the lights, cameras and Cherish’s glare!

What do you do when they become emotional? Do you help them out with a cuddle and a pep talk or give them space?
Depends who it is and what’s been going on. I always try and keep things light and encouraging. They are all so brave for giving it a go and I tell them that an annoying amount.

How good are you at predicting who Benoit and Cherish are going to put through?
Me and Liam always like to try and guess. We do pretty well actually. We know what the judges are looking for very well by now.

In the history of Bake Off: The Professionals, do you have a favourite creation that chefs have made?
Don’t make me pick a fave!! But there was a particularly delicious pistachio creation on this series that I really enjoyed.

You clearly have a great relationship with Liam, Benoit and Cherish. What do you get up to behind the scenes?
It’s really just a delight. Lots of silliness. Lots of food chat. Lots of laughing. My mum came to visit set and she said it was like a sixth form common room backstage!

How would you rate your own baking skills?
I’d say I’m a solid six. I make nothing with finesse but it’s always sweet and edible. I am a terrible spoon licker though, so I wouldn’t pass any health or safety exams…

What are your guilty sweet pleasures?
Honestly anything cakey and sweet. I have such a sweet tooth it’s ridiculous. What I love more than anything though is cake batter. I am a purest. I like it in its raw form. Preferably off a spatula.

You’re currently on tour. What kind of stuff do you eat when you’re touring? Is it all hastily grabbed junk food in the dressing room?
Yes, I’m touring my new show Palavering! The plan is to keep things pretty healthy - but ask me again in a month and I’ll probably be knee-deep in-service station beige…

Why has Bake Off: The Professionals endured? What’s the secret to its success?
The cakes and the people! As a viewer I love watching nice people try hard at something.

Watch or stream Bake Off: The Professionals on Channel 4.