An Interview with Howard Middleton

Howard Middleton, a previous contestant of Great British Bake off is best known for his gluten free baking on the show. He is quite a local Sheffield celebrity. His Gluten-free passion fruit and coconut cake on the show earned him massive praises from the audience and the judges. As a result he recently published his first book ‘Delicious Gluten Free Baking’ is a perfect treat for those who are gluten intolerant and also include few dairy-free recipes. His recipes are frequently published in Sainsbury's magazine, BBC Good Food, Cotswoldlife etc. He was kind enough to spare time off from his otherwise packed schedule to speak exclusively with me for Sheffield Hallam University.

You always wanted to enter Great British Bake off? Well I love baking but I wasn't too keen in participating. It was my friends who made me fill the lengthy form. In fact I remember to a question “How often do you bake cookies at home?” I answered “Once in a year.” A month later while everyone was making New Year resolutions, I decided to submit the form finally. I received a call in the end of January for an audition and suddenly I started taking interest.

Did you do any homework before the show? Not really. I just wanted to bake the best I could. In fact when I made my famous gluten free passion fruit and coconut sandwich cake, I didn't know Mary didn't like coconut. It never occurred to me to bake according to judge's likings. I focused on using good ingredients and good outcomes.

How was the overall experience? It was fantastic and stressful at the same time. I met a lot of good people and learnt a lot of good things with regards to life and baking. I learnt from other cultures for example use of chickpea powder which is widely used in Indian cookery and tapioca powder which is used in Africa, chestnut flour in French and Italian cooking.”

Why did you choose gluten free? Well I wanted to do something different. I started glutted free baking because of my parents. My mother has high cholesterol and therefore to fulfill her dietary requirements I took to ‘gluten free.’ For those who are allergic to gluten, it’s a matter of life and death. Thus ‘gluten free’ baking is the perfect way for them to satisfy their cravings. Baking gluten free is definitely tricky and difficult. One has to use different culinary techniques and ingredients to produce a good outcome. I always tell everyone who asks me for an advice to try out new things and take inspiration from other cultures. There is no typical perfect gluten free baking. To be honest even I struggle sometimes especially when I am trying my hands on gluten free breads.

You look pretty slim for a baking chef? I run to keep myself fit. I am more of a savory, crispy tooth person than sweet tooth. My parents are very fond of my cooking so it’s they who eat a lot of it. Any plans to start your own bakery/café? I know a lot of people do it but I am happy to keep this as a hobby. I love doing demos and writing about it though. I still have a government job which I have been doing for 14 years now and it is really tough to juggle both sometimes.

Any message for amateur bakers If you love baking then go ahead try gluten free too. Its for everyone and remember to practice a lot. If you have passion for baking then you will definitely get there.

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