Food industry credits GBBO teenager for image boost

By Laurence Gibbons

- Last updated on GMT

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Collinson looks set for big things in the food industry
Collinson looks set for big things in the food industry
The food industry has applauded Martha Collison for improving its image during her stint on BBC One’s Great British Bake Off (GBBO).

Collison, who has previously spoken passionately about her aspirations for a career in food technology, was voted off the primetime TV show last night.

Although her signature challenge, a spiced plum iced bread swirl, received praise from judge Paul Hollywood, she struggled to produce the eastern European dish povitica, finishing last of the five remaining bakers.

Fantastic

Jon Poole, ceo of the Institute of Food Science and Technology, told Foodmanufacture.co.uk it had been fantastic to see someone so enthusiastic about food and especially food science and technology in the public eye.

“She has done a great deal to alter the image of food science and I’m sure, has inspired many others that the food sector can provide an interesting and exciting career choice,” ​he said.

“It’s important that we focus on and continue to inspire young people to pursue careers in food through more opportunities such as this.”

Poole added that Collinson no doubt had a “fantastic”​ career ahead of her and would continue to make a positive impact in food science and technology.

The Craft Bakers Association (CBA) said she had brought a lot of positives to the show, which was a great advert for the bakery sector.

“It would have been a great experience for her to work with experts such as Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry,”​ said Mike Holling, executive director of the CBA and head of retail at East Midlands bakery Birds the Confectioner. “She has a great future in baking and a great career ahead of her.”​   

The Great British Bake Off has opened doors for a number of people – including last year’s winner Francis Quinn – to enjoy successful careers in the sector, he added.

The Chilled Food Association (CFA) said it was delighted to see Collison showing her food science skills on GBBO.

“We’ve enjoyed watching her progress with interest since we picked her out when CFA helped judge the University of Nottingham Summer School writing competition last year,”​ said CFA  director, Kaarin Goodburn MBE. “We like to think we spotted her before Mary Berry did.

As we’re demonstrating through our Chilled Education initiative we need to spot and nurture young food science talent for the future of the industry.”

Ambassador

Food science needs an ambassador, like Professor Brian Cox is for physics or Professor Alice Roberts is for anatomy to champion and inspire it, she claimed.

“Could Martha fulfil that role? We hope so, she has potential,”​ she added.

Many took to Twitter following Collison’s departure to voice their support.

The BBC Good Food Show credited her “incredible effort”​ and said it was sad to see her go.

Renshaw Baking UK said: “Poor Martha … what a true talent. Watch out baking world, a future star is born.”

JamieOliver.com tweeted to say it would miss watching her and couldn’t wait to see what she would do next.

Speaking on last night’s Great British Bake Off Extra Slice ​programme, Collison said every minute of the show had been brilliant.

“It was really great to spend time with people who are older than me because I can learn a lot about what they’ve done with their lives.”

   

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