Bake Off: How much fun was last years Bake Off?
Owain: Ha! It was an absolute hoot, and amazing to see so many cakes, way more than I expected. It’s difficult to not get excited and scoff loads of cake in the first hour or so, there were almost a hundred cakes… so by the end I was feeling stuffed. I’ll be more cautious this year and take smaller slices…but it’s hard, I have zero discipline and they were bloody gorgeous! The other judges were great fun too, and Wayne the organiser is a scream so you know… we just kept laughing and shoving cake into our mouths all day essentially. When I was asked back this year, it was an instant yes.
Bake Off: Do you have a favourite type of cake?
Owain: Darling, I love a good Victoria sponge. Who doesn’t? Even towards the end of last year’s competition my eyes lit up every time they brought us a viccy sponge, I’ll have to calm down a bit this year I think. I was proper stuffed.
Bake Off: Of all the other judges, who is the most critical judge?
Owain:Last year I’d say it was the food critics. Niki Vivian, Sarah Williams and Mariclare Carey-Jones- oh my god, they know their stuff cake wise. I’m no baker, but I *do* know a good cake when I see or eat one, I’m a real cake connoisseur. This year I imagine Beca is going to be quite critical as she’s been through possibly the most harsh and well-known cake judging process whilst on The Great British Bake off. Maybe I’ll try to be a bit more critical this year, perhaps I can elevate the drama by spitting out a cake I don’t like… we’ll see.
Bake Off:Which judge are you most looking forward to meeting?
Owain: Probably Beca, as I’ll be trying to absorb some of her cake knowledge and expand my gravitas as a judge. Although I’m sure Lauren Harries will be good fun too, and at the end of the day it’s all about having fun and raising money. Nathan Wyburn and I are friends so it’s always fun working with people you get on well with too.
Bake Off: How important are events such as the bake off in communities like Roath?
Owain: Yeah they’re really important. I love Roath, I’ve lived in several parts of Cardiff and I can honestly say this is my absolute favourite. Wellfield Road has a real community feel, I spend a lot of time here. But it’s important to get people from the surrounding areas involved too, there should be more high profile events like these in cities like Cardiff, as they’re losing that local feel and everyone is becoming anonymous. Roath’s quite big- and last year we attracted people from quite a distance, and I made loads of new friends through the GRBO.
Bake Off:- Paul Hollywood or Mary Berry?
Owain: I love Mary Berry
Bake Off:Victoria Sponge or Apple Tart?
Owain: Have you been listening?! I just said Victoria sponge. But I do love a good tart!!! Do you?
Bake Off: Sweet or savoury?
Owain: I’m more of a savoury person really. I’d much prefer to fill my belly with crackers and cheese after a meal than things like ice cream. But cake is another thing, there’s always time for cake, any time of day. I got icing sugar on one of my suits in work just before a forecast. It was a bit of a panic to get it off before going on air…but c’est la vie.
Ask Owain a question..
Zainah asks...
Does the weather affect his mood for baking. For example simple things when it's warm and serious baking when it's cold?
Does the weather affect his mood for baking. For example simple things when it's warm and serious baking when it's cold?
Owain: Hi zainah. In not a very serious baker but if it's a hot day prefer to eat something summery! I like fruity tarts.
Julie: Where is your favourite place to eat/buy cake?
Owain: Hi Julie! Ideally somewhere where I can sit down. It's no fun eating cake on the run. Tea&Cake is fab.
Beth: Hi Owain, do any of your colleagues at the BBC bake? Are they good bakers?
Owain:Hi Beth! Behnaz who presents the weather with me cooks some fabulous Iranian food including cakes!
Calum: Hi Owain if you were a cake what would you be and why?
Owain: Hiya Calum, if I was a cake I would be a scone as they're available plain or with extras such as fruit. Variety!
Heather: Hi Owain were there any cakes last year that were awful tasting?
Owain: Hi Heather. There were a few which weren't really my cup of tea! Things which included coconut, mainly! But the standard was really high and there was nothing vomit inducing, fortunately!
Greg: how did you get involved in The Bake Off is baking a passion of yours?
Owain: Hello Greg. I was contacted by Wayne the organiser. I think he saw me on the weather and thought "he looks like someone who likes a bit of cake". I was very excited about taking part, and can't wait for this years Bake Off either! Baking isn't really a passion of mine... I just prefer the end product as opposed to the cooking process.
Sheila: You look good on the telly!
Owain: Oh thanks Sheila! Xxx I hope I can still fit into my suits after eating yet more cake this year.
Andrea: would you like to host The Great British Bake Off?
Owain: I do host events occasionally Andrea. But I'm so happy as a judge on the bake off I think I'd prefer to stay doing that. There is also less pressure on you as a judge surprisingly. Hosting is hard work, you're always reading the crowd and the atmosphere.
David: Hi Owain will it be sunny for the bake off?
Owain: Ha David if I had a pound every time someone asked me for a long range forecast I'd be living in Penylan and not Roath! I joke. We had fab weather last year so let's cross our fingers- keep an eye on that forecast!
Rhian Marshall: hi Owain, who is your favourite volunteer at the Bake Off
Owain: What question Rhian! I love the volunteers all equally. Especially the ones who live on a Wellfield Road. They're so glamorous. X
Cher: Hi Owain do you believe in life after love?
Owain: Oh hi Cher. Yes I do. But Following a feeling I had inside I'm not actually sure if I have the strength.
Linda: there's lots going on at this years bake off what are you most looking forward to?
Owain: Hi Linda! It's definitely the Victoria sponges which are likely to be plentiful! they're my fave.
Barry: who are your favourite celebrity chefs
Owain: Hi Barry. I used to love Keith Floyd as a child- my parents used to watch that show. And he reminded me of my grandfather. He was a fab cook, and enjoyed a glass or two of vino rouge like Floyd!
Ian Layzell: where do you buy your yeast Owain?
Owain:
What a question Ian... I've never purchased yeast, can you recommend?!
Scott Williams: how do you feel that Roath Favourites The Chicago Boys are not on the bill at this years bake off?
Owain:Scott I'm devastated the Chicago boys aren't there! But Calum Ross et all will be, so the quality of entertainment will still be high!
Kevin: Q1. I think their is enough proof global warming is occuring and this in turn is affecting the gulf steam which has such a strong influance on our weather...because of this what does Owain think the weather in the UK will look like in 10 years time? :-)
Owain: The jet stream does play a huge role in our weather Kelvin. It's what brings most of our weather systems across the Atlantic towards us. There is constant research happening regarding global warming and climate change- but it's very difficult to predict how our weather here in the UK will be in a decades time.
Timmy: how do you eat your cream egg?
Owain:I don't eat chocolate Timmy so Creme eggs are off the menu at present.
Gwenno: which do you prefer, too shelf baking or bottom shelf baking?
Owain: Hi Gwenno. I don't really bake and don't know the difference between top and bottom shelf baking- tell me?
Rachelle: if you were to make a cake to resemble someone famous who would you do?
Owain: Oh gosh. Maybe I would make one of myself, why not?
Christine: hi Owain what do you like most about roath? Do you live in roath?
Owain: I love Roath Christine, yes I've lived here for a few years. Wellfield Road, City Road and The Park are my fave parts. I also love being able to walk into town.
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