The 'Michelangelo' Moment Giuseppe Dell'Anno Experienced On GBBO
Ah, "The Great British Bake Off." The food-reality TV competition series that's become beloved around the world and revered for its drama-free environment, friendly contestants, showstopping bakes, and savvy judges Paul Hollywood and Dame Prue Leith. And let's not forget to mention the presenters, Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas, who are always ready to cheer up the contestants with their witty jokes and encouragement.
At the end of Season 12, Italian-born and Bristol-based engineer, Giuseppe Dell'Anno, took home the win — becoming the first-ever Italian GBBO champion. Dell'Anno is instantly recognizable for his broad smile, bold shirts, and incredible hair. Vulture chatted with Dell'Anno, who had managed to win two Star Bakers and two Hollywood handshakes throughout the course of season 12. In the interview, Dell'Anno talks about his time on the show and the "Michelangelo" moment that he experienced inside the famous white tent located in the beautiful British countryside.
The designer dessert that Dell'Anno feared
Dell'Anno once said he felt like he walked into the Sistine Chapel when he first entered the famous white GBBO tent. This comparison led Vulture to ask Dell'Anno if he had a "Michelangelo" moment on the show. Indeed, he did.
During "The Great British Bake Off's" dessert Week, the contestants had to make a serious showstopper called the joconde imprimé, which per What The Fruitcake, is a French baking term denoting a "decorative design baked into a light sponge cake providing an elegant finish to desserts/torts/entremets formed in ring moulds." Who wouldn't be scared of that?
Dell'Anno definitely was, as the joconde imprimé had to consist of three different elements, and because he is such a perfectionist, the champ just didn't know where to start. During the show's shooting, the contestants had only a few hours to make this designer dessert, but back at home, Dell'Anno told Vulture, it would take a few weeks to create.
However, with his knowledge, skill, and the Gods of baking at his side, Dell'Anno's showstopping cake impressed the judges. On Instagram, he posted a photo of himself standing with the dessert and wrote "The joconde imprimé scared the hell out of me. It cost me many sleepless nights. And it's now easily the most complex, elegant and most delicious cake I have ever made!" The winner told Vulture, "If I managed to pull that off, I could do anything."