JOHN Whaite was watched by seven million viewers as he stormed to victory to win the Great British Bake Off in 2012.

Since then he has released two cook books and is opening a cookery school later this year. He is doing a cookery demonstration at Thame Food Festival this Saturday.

Thame Food Festival appears to get bigger every year. The pretty market town is filled with stall holders for the day and last year more than 25,000 flocked to the sixth annual event.

This year there will be a host of chefs lined up to do cookery demonstrations to the crowds including John; the first Bake Off winner, Edd Kimber; food writer Sophie Grigson and Raymond Blanc.

And John, 24, said people can expect “an explosively passionate food orgy” during his demonstration.

He grew up on a dairy farm in Wigan, where he learned about British produce and the importance of supporting local food producers and artisan crafters.

John said: “I’m a farmer’s son and so always support British produce where possible, especially dairy products.

“We do, though, need to see more support for our producers from larger companies.”

There will be more than 150 food stalls at Thame this Saturday, which is a free event.

And John said he loves going to food festivals adding: “The fact that everyone there is obsessed with food.

“That and the fact that I can meet fans and get into long chats about perfect cakes and sinking sponges.”

But John wasn’t always on the road to being a baker. He gained a first class degree in law from the University of Manchester.

It was when he won the Great British Bake Off, which is back on our screens, when his career in baking really took off.

So what memories does he have of the show? John said: “Lots of cake, blue eyed judges, clouds of icing sugar and sweat, salty rum babas and lacerated fingers. It's all a blur now.”

The show has gained in popularity and is showing on BBC1 this year, rather than BBC2. The judges are Paul Hollywood and Penn resident, Mary Berry and each week the contestants battle it out to be the best baker.

He said of Mary: ”I rarely see her now, but when I do she's so lovely. Working with her wasn't really that major because we never got to see her - they were impartial judges and so can't mingle with the bakers unless they're passing on criticism and that has to be filmed!.“ John, who said he will be watching this year’s series, had not had a great deal of experience before being on the show.

But straight after he threw himself into a highly intensive nine month diploma at Le Cordon Bleu.

He has since published two books- John Whaite Bakes and John Whaite Bakes at Home.

John said: “People love them. The amount of images I get sent of people's versions of my recipes is astonishing. We are baking mad and I love it.”

And in late 2014 he is opening the doors to his own cookery school in rural Lancashire, which will welcome adults of all baking and cooking levels.

He said: “I've always enjoyed teaching cookery and baking, and so when my parents offered to rent me their barn on my family farm, I bit their hand off at the opportunity. “I'm going to be running courses, from one day baking and cookery, to festive courses and week- long foundation courses. There'll also be hen parties, with floristry arrangement classes, cocktails and cakes. I will also be doing lots of chocolate craft days too.

“The style is very much dictated by the fact we are in an old barn, but I love that. It is so stylish and yet modern at the same time. I just want people to learn, but most importantly enjoy it.”

For a short while he has stopped the production of The Hungry Dog Artisan Chocolates. He would handmade a batch of chocolates and the first to buy a batch each week would be sent them in the post.

He said: “I still make them all, but I've halted production until we are in the new premises.

“Then I'm going to take on some apprentices who I will train up and allow to take a strong role in the Hungry Dog. Because we are a dairy farm, expect a range of ice creams too.”

He has LAMDA and RADA acting qualifications, which has helped him adapt to doing TV work.

John said: “I love it. I've always been a performer and so really do relish it. “ He lives in London with his partner of six years, Paul. Does he enjoy John’s food?

He joked: “He has no choice. Eat it or go hungry, life is not a café. But yes, he loves it - or so he lets me believe.”

John is now looking forward to seeing his cookery school take off and offers this advice to budding baker: “Read the recipe and do as it says. People often are tempted to 'substitute' certain methods or ingredients. Well don't! Also, know your oven. If it is a little hot, then bear that in mind.”

Thame Food Festival is on all day on Saturday, September 27. For more details go to www.thamefoodfestival.co.uk