TV

Seven of Nigella Lawson’s campest innuendos as she’s confirmed as the new host of Bake Off

  • Jan 26
  • Written by Emily Maskell and Alastair James
Nigella Lawson wearing a white and black floral dress, smiling at the camera

Nigella Lawson tipped as new The Great British Bake Off host. (James Gourley/Getty)

Nigella Lawson tipped as new The Great British Bake Off host. (James Gourley/Getty)

With the news that Dame Prue Leith is stepping down from The Great British Bake Off, TV cook and camp icon Nigella Lawson has been confirmed as her replacement.

Broadcaster Channel 4 announced the news on Monday (26 January), stating that Nigella will take over from Prue on the series.

Nigella, who will join Paul Hollywood as a judge, said in a statement: “I’m uncharacteristically rather lost for words right now.

“Of course it’s daunting to be following in the footsteps of Prue Leith and Mary Berry before her, great dames both, but I’m also bubbling with excitement.”

She added: “The Great British Bake Off is more than a television programme, it’s a National Treasure – and it’s a huge honour to be entrusted with it.

“I’m just thrilled to be joining the team and all the new bakers to come, I wish the marvellous Prue all the best, and am giddily grateful for the opportunity!”

Her fans are declaring her the only woman for the job and the perfect person to give Paul Hollywood a run for his money. The TV cook has quite the reputation, known for her love of saucy innuendo and effortless charisma.

Here are some of our favourite Nigella innuendos as she descends on the Bake Off tent:

Cum-in

Nigella has made her feelings about the spice cumin very well known. While cooking lamb ribs on Simply Nigella, she once described the smell as “glorious” and said it was “hard for me to have lamb without cumin.”

Asked about her passion for cumin online, Nigella replied, “I certainly love cumin”. Nigella then played innocent and pretended not to get the double entendre, but we know she knows what she said.

Nigella’s kitchen utensils

Another moment from Simply Nigella sees the cook make a spiced cauliflower and chickpea salad. It sounds delicious!

While mixing everything together, Nigella uses two wooden spoons and says, “I love having an implement in each hand. It makes me feel busy but in an unchallenging way.” Ok Nigella.

Nigella Lawson holding a plate of food in a dim kitchen lit with fairy lights
Nigella Lawson loves a kitchen innuendo. (BBC)

Patience is a virtue

While making the mixture for some muffins, Nigella discusses making a mess in the kitchen.

Taking a slow and patient approach, the master of the cooking innuendo says she has to “so I don’t splash everything. Although it doesn’t come naturally to me.”

Soft like an inner thigh

Part of being a TV cook is explaining things in understandable terms for viewers and amateur cooks. For Nigella, that means comparing consistency and texture to parts of the body.

When talking about the perfect consistency of custard, she likened the texture to touching someone’s inner thigh.

“The custard should be firm but not immobile; when you press it with your fingers, it should have a little wobble still within,” she explained. 

“Soft, warm and voluptuous—like an 18th-century courtesan’s inner thigh.”

Nigella Lawson spinkling ingredients over a wooden chopping board
Nigella Lawson is not afraid of being X-rated. (BBC)

Chocolate Salame (salami)

Lawson’s chocolate salame recipe isn’t exactly an everyday essential, but for the TV cook, it’s an indulgent treat.

Nigella famously once declared that she “couldn’t go to sleep without a chocolate salame.” Girl.

She then continued, showcasing to the audience how to shape the ingredients into a log and “tie it up with a string.”

Slut’s Spaghetti

Never afraid of bringing an X-rated comment into the kitchen, Nigella famously decided to playfully rename a pasta dish.

For her show, Lawson reclaimed the dish Pasta alla Puttanesca by declaring it is now to be named “Slut’s Spaghetti”.

She also furthered: “Some like it hot, and I certainly do.”

Nigella’s drag name

While baking some festive cookies, Lawson shared tips for rolling out dough with viewers and then revealed her drag name. You know, the average cooking show conversation topics.

“My speculaas dough has rested,” she said, preparing for the next stage of baking.

“Before I roll it out, I’m going to give this slab a bit of a dusting with my magic wand, or perhaps it’s a bit more of a seasonal sceptre.”

Then she added: “Let’s unwrap this fat patty – my drag name.” A true icon.

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