Annabel's Sweet Win

The teen's next adventure is sure to rise.

- Amy Prebble

The Great Kiwi Bake Off winner Annabel Coulter and her mum Kate are absolutely delighted that after months of secrecy, they can now celebrate her success.

Since last week’s final, where Annabel (19) took out the title after wowing judges Sue Fleischl and Dean Brettschneider with a sensational fish ‘n’ chip illusion cake, she has been able to pull the glass plate she won out of hiding, and she no longer needs to fudge her answers to curious family and friends.

“We’ve had to keep her win under our hats since July, which has probably affected our ability to celebrate,” admits Kate (51). “In weeks one and three, when Annabel got star baker, we got lots of questions – ‘She must win! Does she win?’ – Then she sat about the middle of the pack, which was quite good because people stopped asking us directly.”

Annabel is over the moon about nabbing the top spot even though there’s no prize attached. “It’s surreal,” she says. “I was competing against 12 incredible bakers. I’m actually glad that there wasn’t any prize because I think it would have ruined the amazing bond we all had. I was more than happy to just get the title, especially since I want to go into this field.”