Mo Mahir, a 22-year-old student from West Bromwich, discovered his love for baking after watching a YouTube video about making a mug cake when he was nine years old. This seemingly small moment ignited a passion that has now led him to compete in the latest series of The Great British Bake Off.
Mahir, who studies at Birmingham City University, explained that traditional Bengali culture does not heavily feature cakes or baking, prompting him to teach himself. "Growing up, I've always loved cakes and cookies and stuff and I've always wanted to eat them, but it's just that we never always got the, like, freshly baked stuff. So I kind of had to teach myself," he said. His early attempts involved mixing various ingredients without precise measurements, a practice that often drew a scolding from his mother for the mess it created. However, through persistent experimentation, his skills gradually improved.
In the initial week of the competition, Mahir impressed the judges, Nigella Lawson and Paul Hollywood, with his peanut and caramel chocolate stout cake, earning him the coveted star baker title. The following week, viewers saw him construct a biscuit mosaic. His growing television fame has led to him being recognized in public. "It's been really positive, just like all the DMs [direct messages] I'm getting on Instagram is very supportive and kind," Mahir shared. He also noted that people in Birmingham often recognize him and offer encouragement.
Mahir's former teacher, Sam Hayes from George Salter Academy, expressed confidence in his former student's success. Hayes recalled Mahir bringing delicious baked goods to school, a testament to his talent. "He always was an absolutely amazing baker while he was at school," Hayes added.
Mahir is among a diverse group of 13 bakers competing in the series, which includes a paediatric doctor, a competitive sprinter, a hairdresser, and a drag artist.