On being crowned South Africa’s best amateur baker, McWilliams says, “It still hasn’t sunk in. I entered the competition to try and learn as many new baking skills as possible to help me on my way to becoming a successful professional pastry chef. So to actually be crowned the winner is just unbelievable to me. I feel honoured and humbled to be crowned South Africa's best amateur baker, especially if I look at my fellow competitors all of whom are brilliant, passionate, and talented.”

McWilliams says she will continue to bake even though the series is over and she will take the skills that she has learned with her into her studies and training to become a pastry chef. “I was nervous entering the competition as the youngest contestant. I thought that my passion and love for baking might not be enough compared to the experience that many others brought with them. Taking part in The Great South African Bake Off and being crowned the ultimate star baker has given me so much confidence and affirmed my love for baking and now I am just so excited to get started on my dream career as a pastry chef.”

Judge Shirley Guy, says, “Cait has performed consistently well throughout this year’s competition. Her bakes have been creative and she has always managed to keep calm in the Bake Off tent. Thanks to her great array of baking skills and an exceptional palate for flavour combinations, she came out triumphant.”

Judge Tjaart Walraven, adds, “Congratulations Cait, a deserved winner. Cait consistently showed us that the more creative you get each week when it comes to baking, the better. Cait folded great flavours into her baking and always kept her cool proving that she really was this year’s star baker in the final week. I wish her all the best and know she will go very far.”

Kully Kaur-Bains, head of programming South Africa BBC Worldwide, says, “It is fantastic to see such a young baker come out on top in this series. Bake Off now has local versions in 23 countries and nicely demonstrates how popular baking is amongst younger and older generations globally. We are, however, really proud to have one of the youngest ever winners right here in South Africa. Congratulations Cait, what an achievement.”

Throughout the series, The Great South African Bake Off helped BBC Lifestyle to become the number one channel in its competitor set on DStv’s platform. It attracted on average, 100 000 viewers each week.

The Love Productions format is produced by Rapid Blue and is locally sponsored by Mugg and Bean.

For more information, visit www.bbcsouthafrica.com. Alternatively, connect with them on Facebook or on Twitter.