Cambridge’s alumni have achieved success in a variety of fields, including science, the arts, politics and on the stage. Could baking soon be among them? One Engineering graduate is going to find out.

Andrew Smyth, who graduated from Sidney Sussex in 2013, will be joining 11 other competitors in the BBC competition The Great British Bake Off, which puts amateur bakers through a series of technical and creative challenges.

To win, he will need to rise to the challenge of impressing judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood. Hopefully he won’t crumble under the pressure, but experience isn’t on his side – aged 25, he is the third-youngest of the bakers in this year’s competition.  

Time will tell whether he is bred for success, but he may find a little Cantab solidarity from show presenters Mel Giedroyc (Trinity) and Sue Perkins (New Hall, now Murray Edwards).

Cambridge students reacted with barely-concealed pleasure to the news.

“I’d certainly like to prove him in a warm, draught-free place,” said an Emmanuel finalist. “Or let him puff my pastry,” he added.

“I'm looking forward to seeing his stiff peak,” a recent Corpus Christi graduate told Varsity.

Originally from Northern Ireland, Smyth now lives in Derby and works as an aerospace engineer at Rolls-Royce, where he designs jet engines. He says that his mother and grandmother taught him how to bake, and is keeping their recipes under wraps in preparation for the competition.

A big fan of complex baking design, Smyth’s ambitions include making an bread version of Concorde. He also enjoys skiing and climbing.

“I’m sure he has fantastic cakes,” a Trinity Hall student said, “but frankly I want to see his baguette.”

A sample from Smyth’s Instagram

“It’s great to see a recent graduate in the competition,” an HSPS finalist told Varsity.“I’d like him to beat my eggs.”

Other were more sceptical about Smyth’s chances in the vaunted baking contest.

“We’ll have to wait to see if he can self-raise succesfully,” said one Newnham undergrad, “but I am stirred by him.”

“Cleaning up is actually the hardest bit,” a Trinity student added, “so we’ll have to see if he can de-flour properly.”

The Great British Bake Off will return at 8pm on Wednesday 24th August, on BBC One