Originally from Yorkshire, the retired Headteacher served her baking apprenticeship with the women in her childhood: mother, grandmas and aunts. She worked as a teacher for forty years and relaxed by baking and going to the gym.

Over the years she has included baking in the curriculum of all her schools and still goes into schools regularly to share her baking skills with children. 

Based in Somerset for over thirty years, she travels north to visit family and never goes without bakes, jams and chutneys regularly filling the boot.

In 2016 she went on The Great British Bake Off, where she earned the title of ‘Cake Whisperer’ and charmed the nation with her tips:  “listen to your cakes”, “move a little loose a lot ” and “step and bake”.  She also appeared in the 2017 Christmas special for Bake Off.

Her final Bake Off words touched the hearts of millions and in The Radio Times the speech was voted the favourite BBC Bake Off moment of its time.

Website: www.bakerval.com

Represented by Vivienne Clore