In the Netherlands we of course watch Heel Holland Bakt, but in England they are crazy about The Great British Bake Off. Now, for the first time, a Dutch person is participating in the popular program.
The Great British Bake Off gets a Dutch twist
The Great British Bake Off is a quintessentially British programme. This year, a Dutch person is participating in the program for the first time. His name is Christiaan de Vries. He is 33 years old and comes from Emmen. But you certainly wouldn’t expect this given his presence on social media. De Vries speaks English with a British accent, so he will most likely fit in with the cast!
Christiaan got the call when he was in the gym. “I never thought I would make it to the tent. I remember getting through the second round of auditions and thinking it would end there,” he says. “When I got the phone call, I was just at the gym. I quickly answered to tell them to call back. That was the longest 30 minutes of my life. When I got the call afterwards and heard the news, I screamed “I was home alone, so my boyfriend called afterward and we yelled some more.”
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British television debut
Christiaan himself is not yet familiar with the television world in the Netherlands, let alone British television! He has now lived in the United Kingdom for seven years. Before that he studied fashion in Amsterdam. His background in the fashion world will help him during the competition, as can be read in Christiaan’s online bio on the program’s website. “I think my background helps when coming up with a design or colors. My biggest strength as a baker is my ability to take risks. My insecurity is probably my biggest weakness. I’m easily thrown off when other people do something different “I quickly think that they will do better. And if someone criticizes my baking, I take it very personally. Although I have learned to deal with it better, that remains an issue.”
Entering the iconic white tent of The Great British Bake Off was a special moment for Christiaan. “It’s exciting, intimidating, exhilarating, scary and so much more. We were told in advance that some people cry when they see the tent for the first time. I thought that was a bit exaggerated. But it does feel like you’re settling into your first home. .”
The latest season of The Great British Bake Off has been airing on the British channel Channel 4 since September 24.
