“Immense sense of pride:” The Great British Bake Off contestant Illiyin discusses her elimination

The Great British Bake Off season 15 episode 8 was released on November 12, 2024. In this show, amateur bakers compete for the grand prize and the winner's title as their baking skills are tested through multiple challenges. At the end of the newly released episode, it was showcased that London native Illiyin was eliminated from the cooking competition series.

Before leaving, Illiyin reflected on her experience on the Channel 4 series. She expressed gratitude and thanked her fellow cast members as well. Despite feeling upset about her elimination, Illiyin shared she had "an immense sense of pride" about being part of the show. She continued:

"Even all these feelings of sadness underneath all of that I think there is an immense sense of pride, I am glad to have that. This is an exceptional competition with exceptional bakers and to have been part of it, that’s quite special. Over and out Bake Off, it’s done!"

The Great British Bake Off season 15 episode 8, titled 1970's Week, was released exclusively on Channel 4 on November 12, 2024. The episode synopsis reads as the following:

"The bakers tackle three challenges from the 1970's. It's all about choux as the bakers whip up towering profiterole masterpieces. For the Technical, they take on a retro favourite, and for Showstopper they prepare elaborate gateaus."

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"The experience has taught me so much about myself"-The Great British Bake Off contestant Illiyin speaks to Channel 4

After her elimination on The Great British Bake Off season 15 episode 8, Illiyin told Channel 4 that she learned a lot about her capabilities during her time on the show. By competing in the cooking series, she discovered her determination and evolved as a chef. More specifically, Illiyin learned how to perform under pressure, and she told Channel 4 on November 13, 2024:

"I learned that I can do really hard things, I know that for many it looks like it Is just cake but the experience has taught me so much about myself, my grit and determination, how I function (or don’t!) under pressure and how much pressure to reach some odd idea of perfection I had. It really has been the most amazing learning curve. "

Now that her journey on The Great British Bake Off season 15 has ended, Illiyin said she was looking forward to testing her "creativity" and "developing" her style while baking. She mentioned:

"Oh, I’m not sure. I just want to keep developing my style and creativity within baking. Recipe development has to be one of my favourite things and that is definitely something GBBO has taught me!"

Reflecting on her experience on the show, she said she loved working alongside her fellow cast members and would want to encourage the newbies to apply for the competition series. Illiyin stated that being part of the show was one of the moments she would "treasure" in her life and further mentioned:

"Quite frankly I still can’t believe I even got on! But I’ll take away that it’s all about the people, that’s what made it possible. The most lovely and incredible production and set crew, my fellow contestants and my incredible family."

New episodes of The Great British Bake Off season 15 air exclusively on Channel 4 every week on Tuesdays at 8 pm GMT.