Bake Off: The Professionals has had TV viewers gripped since the Channel 4 show returned to screens in June, with a new set of pastry chefs battling it out to be crowned Britain's best patisserie team. Hosted by Ellie Taylor and Liam Charles, the show has proven to be hugely popular with baking enthusiasts.
The contestants are judged by pastry chefs Cherish Finden, 56, and Benoit Blin. The pair are experts in the field, with them both having worked at numerous high-end hotels and restaurants across the world.
Benoit, who fails from France, is the Chef Patissier at Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons in Oxfordshire. He has worked in the role for over 20 years after coming to the UK.
In France, he worked at the Ritz for four years before being persuaded to relocate by Raymond Blanc - who owns the two Michelin-starred hotel in Oxfordshire. Benoit is now the Chef Patissier, the highest role in a dessert kitchen, and leads a team of 13 pastry chefs, creating chocolate, ice creams, fresh bread and more, on a daily basis.
Benoit has won awards for his incredible work, such as Pastry Chef of the Year, and won himself the title of Master of Culinary Arts in 2005. On his Instagram profile, he says pastry "is my life and passion". Benoit's first book, Book, Bake with Benoit Blin: Master Cakes, Pastries and Desserts Like a Professional, is due to be released in August 2024.
When he's not busy in the kitchen, Benoit can be found spending time with his family. He tends to keep his private life out of the spotlight, but it is known that he's married and has a son.
The pastry chef previously said he spends any spare time he has with his loved ones, and tries to "really look after" his family. Benoit told The Staff Canteen: "When I get some spare time I try to really look after my family. I try to spend as much time as possible with my family because the art of cooking takes up a lot of your time.
"I enjoy watching rugby. I do not play because, unfortunately, I can’t take the risk of not being able to turn up to work one day but I really enjoy watching it. My son was playing for a few years when he was here before moving to university."
