GREAT British Bake Off semi-finalist Flora Shedden has said that she “wants to give something back” to her home town as she prepares to open a bakery in her native Perthshire.
The 21-year-old, who became the youngest GBBO contestant to reach the final stages in 2015, is transforming a former newsagent’s in Dunkeld, into a cake shop and deli.
It is the first business venture for the TV star, who launched her first cook book, Gatherings, last week.
Ms Shedden said she had decided to defer her degree at St Andrews University to follow her dream of running a business, and plans to open in May.
She said: “We were planning to open in April but there have been a couple of building setbacks. It’s a mammoth and daunting task as it is a 200-year-old building but we are getting there slowly but surely.
“I had looked at other places in Glasgow and Edinburgh but I wanted to do something here in Dunkeld. It will hopefully be my way of giving something back to the town.
“I grew up here, it’s a great place for foodies and Perthshire has amazing produce. So a lot of the ingredients I’ll be using can be sourced locally.”
The bakery, as yet un-named, will sell bread, cakes, pastries and tarts as well as a selection of sandwiches, salads and lunchtime snacks.
Ms Shedden said that she plans to use her own recipes, but hasn’t decided if the shop will bear her name.
She said: “I will be doing most of the cooking but I will be employing a full-time baker and my mum will be lending a hand. It’s going to be a real family affair.
“Lots of people want me to call it the Flora Shedden Bakery but I’m unconvinced and there are a few more names being tossed around.
“Having my own bakery is a dream I’ve had since I was a little girl.”
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