Cooking with kindness

It was David Atherton’s childhood in Whitby and the influence of his mum that spurred him on to success. Now, the Bake Off winner wants to inspire a new generation of cooks

- Emma Mayoh

It all started with cracking eggs. Sat around the kitchen table in his childhood home in Ruswarp, just outside Whitby, David Atherton and his four siblings were always encouraged by mum, Judy, to experiment with food. Days were spent playing in the garden but also cultivating their supply of homegrown vegetables and spending time in each other’s company was favoured in place of time in front of the television.

‘We seemed to do things a little differently to other families, although it wasn’t something we knew at the time,’ says David. ‘My mum was the original hippie, these days she would probably be called a hipster, but she really was ahead of her time.

‘We all loved being in the kitchen, it was the heart of our family home. My mum always let us be there, watching and helping her as she made the most wonderful breads and cakes. We were all given big handfuls of dough, it was our playdough.

‘She was letting us create and letting us enjoy food. We were cracking eggs by the age of two. She gave us a great connection and relationship with the food we ate.’