Bake Off winner Jasmine Mitchell: ‘I should’ve probably been learning about rare types of lung disease’

Winning TheGreat British Bake Off elevates you to near-royalty in the British collective esteem. But Jasmine Mitchell did not merely win it.

During her conquest of the hallowed tent this year, Mitchell won two handshakes from Paul Hollywood and won five Star Baker awards. In the final, she constructed a 1.2 metre long cake. That’s bigger than your average six-year-old.

Over her 10 weeks on the show, the 23-year-old medical student from Edinburgh also moved viewers as she revealed her journey with alopecia. To mark a big year, Mitchell shared her highlights with Big Issue.

What was your standout moment of 2025?

Winning the Bake Off was pretty standout, I think it will take quite a lot to beat that feeling! 

What do you know about yourself now that you didn’t this time last year?

That being authentically yourself, as you are, is so much more beautiful than trying to look like everyone else around you.  

What do you think the world got right in 2025?

Women’s sport is getting better and better coverage and attention. Being at the opening game of the 2025 Women’s Euros was one to remember! 

What do you think the world got wrong in 2025? 

It feels like we’re no closer to a solution for the climate crisis.  

Would you rather be a Traitor or a Faithful?

Definitely a Faithful.  

Where were you when you found out Taylor Swift was engaged?

She what?! I’ve been living under a bit of a rock for the last few months, I need to re-emerge at some point! 

Is your job at risk from AI?

If they can build a bread-baking robot which Paul Hollywood approves of then definitely. In terms of robot doctors, I’m less convinced.  

Read more:

• The Great British Bake Off shows there’s still hope for the country
• Bake Off star Sandro Farmhouse is spreading Christmas cheer with baking and ‘happy days’
• The Great British Bake Off Musical review: Showstopper or soggy bottom?

What would your browsing history say about you this year?

I have spent too many hours trying to figure out how to make meringues, when I should’ve probably been learning about rare types of lung disease.   

What is the oddest family Christmas tradition you keep?

All my cousins and I pile into my granny’s bed early on Christmas morning to open our stockings. 

Are you more or less hopeful than at the start of 2025? 

I’m really looking forward to the year to come, but I’m not sure whether I am more or less hopeful, that’s a tricky one! 

What one thing are you looking forward to in 2026?

Hopefully getting to put some of my recipes down and creating a cookbook! 

What’s your big idea to make 2026 better than 2025?

So much has happened this year, I find it easy to end up always looking forwards. I have so much to be grateful for. It’s not the biggest idea, but I think I want to practice gratitude more often and remember how blessed I am! 

What’s your Big Issue for 2026?

As a society, we are getting more and more glued to our phones, becoming isolated and losing deep human connection. I think food can be a way of bringing people together around the table and building community to counteract this.   

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more. 

Change a vendor’s life this Christmas.

Buy from your local Big Issue vendor every week – or support online with a vendor support kit or a subscription – and help people work their way out of poverty with dignity.