Not many people pay attention to the science in food, and fewer of the people who do are children. Deji Adeyemi is both. From Lagos to Berkshire, Deji moved across the world early in his life, and now his knowledge of science and baking has cemented his place in Great British Bake Off Junior history.
At just 12 years old, Deji is the only Nigerian who has graced the iconic baking tent, bringing with him a unique blend of cultural heritage, scientific curiosity, and a passion for creating edible and delicious masterpieces.
Deji’s journey into baking began in his parent’s kitchen in Port-Harcourt at the age of 5 before moving to Lagos a few years later. “He’s always doing things.” says his mother, a big fan of his culinary adventures, “He started off going into the kitchen inquisitively, both his father and I are good cooks, so it was a thing of he’d go mimic what we were doing, and eventually he started doing his own thing.”
Photo credit : ©Love Productions
Neither of his parents baked, but they were happy to support his foray into the sweet side of life, “In the early days, it was a lot of, “Mom, can you help me look this up on YouTube?” “Mom, I need this ingredient for something.” Some of his experiments turned out great, some of them, not so much. But he never stopped trying.”
As he got further in school, his interest in baking and his interest in science fused in the middle. “In school, especially with science, he got a lot of lessons on reactants and how different materials interact. It was very easy to relate what he was doing in school to what he was doing at home. He’d take lessons from a failed bake, see the science behind it, and then do it right the next time.”
Photo credit : ©Love Productions
Getting into The Great British Junior Bake Off was a journey of “no’s”. “He first came to me at the age of 10 to say he wanted to go for the show, and I looked at him like, “Absolutely not, you are 10 years old, you will not be going on TV. He’d said ‘okay’ and then came back the next year.” Deji’s parents were eventually worn down by his persistence, “In 2024, he came to ask me with a different tack, he said, “You know I’m turning 12 soon, and the age limit is from 9-12, so let me just try it and we’ll see.”
And see, they did; from over thousands of applicants, Deji made it to the 16 who went into the white tent, and eventually, the top 4 and runner-up!. “I could see his confidence in his abilities growing, both as a person and as a baker. As a parent, getting the gift of a talented child is a blessing. And wherever Deji wants to go, I’ll take him there.”
Photo credit : ©Love Productions
Deji’s confidence isn’t unwarranted; he won Star Baker titles three times, and he is the only contestant to do so in the recently concluded Series 10 edition.
On Deji’s part, The Great British Junior Bake Off is just the beginning, his eventual goal is to rival Gordon Ramsay, and it’s a good start. After the show, Deji is looking to get into more baking shows, even international ones. “He’s a go-getter, and it’s inspiring seeing someone go after what they want with a lot of ferocity. I hope that people hear of him and know that they can go after their dreams even when they hear no.”
From Lagos to British TV, Deji Adeyemi is proving that with a little science, a lot of heart, and a sprinkle of magic, anything is possible. And as he takes his place in Bake Off history, one thing is certain: this young baker is just getting started.
