“I feel like as a Bengali, we don't really have a lot of cakes or baking"
Mo Mahir has revealed how a simple YouTube video inspired his journey to The Great British Bake Off.
The 22-year-old, from West Bromwich, taught himself to bake after discovering a mug cake tutorial on YouTube when he was just nine.
Mo Mahir, now studying at Birmingham City University, said the video sparked an interest in baking that grew over the years.
He said: “I feel like as a Bengali, we don’t really have a lot of cakes or baking in our cultural background.”
He began experimenting in the kitchen by mixing different ingredients, despite initially having little idea about measurements or techniques.
“Nothing turned out right because I wasn’t measuring anything, but it slowly just progressed from there.”
Growing up, Mahir said he always enjoyed cakes, cookies, and other baked treats but didn’t regularly have access to freshly baked goods.
His curiosity eventually encouraged him to learn the basics himself, turning childhood experiments into a serious passion for baking.
That passion has now taken him to the Channel 4 baking competition, where he is competing alongside 12 other bakers.
The contestants include a paediatrician, competitive sprinter, hairdresser and drag artist, all hoping to impress judges Paul Hollywood and Nigella Lawson.
Mahir immediately made an impact during the opening week after being named Star Baker.
He impressed the judges with his peanut and caramel chocolate stout cake, marking a strong start to his Bake Off journey.
The Birmingham student returned for the second week with a biscuit mosaic, continuing to showcase his creativity in the famous tent.
His appearance on the programme has also brought a new level of recognition outside the competition.
Mahir said he has received supportive messages from viewers on Instagram and has even started being recognised while shopping in Birmingham city centre.
“It’s been really positive,” he said, describing the messages as “very supportive and kind”.
His former teacher at George Salter Academy, Sam Hayes, also praised Mahir’s baking abilities and said he was confident he would succeed on the show.
Hayes recalled receiving some of Mahir’s homemade treats while he was a student, describing him as an “absolutely amazing baker”.
Mahir’s story offers a relatable example of how a childhood interest can develop into an unexpected opportunity, while also bringing a British Bengali perspective to one of television’s biggest baking competitions.
