The shaky floors ofThe Great British Baking Showgazebo still haunt Sandro Farmhouse.
Its something you dont see on TV, he says.
I had to ask the crew to stop bumping around my station.
(New episodes drop every Friday.)
Farmhouse, who was Season 13s runner-up, was recently appointedResident Baker on the U.K. daytime showLorraine.
Life after the show hasreallybeen something, he tells Bustle from London.
The Casting Process IsLong
What does it take to get on the show?
You start by simply applying for the show online.
I recommend the option to submit a video with your tool.
It allows you to show off your personality.
If producers like what they see, theyll call you for an informal chat.
They had a kitchen set up, and I was asked to bake alongside some professionals.
It felt like a test run of the show.
After a mental health assessment, I was told Id made it on.
Its a long process.
How do contestants prepare for the show?
They didnt send us any briefs for the technical challenges though.
The Cameras Bring On The Pressure
When does a typical day of filming begin?
Before cameras started rolling, wed have breakfast on site and then head into the tent.
What happens once youre in the famous tent?
Filming would begin around 8 a.m., and a standard day took eight to 10 hours.
What was the most difficult challenge to film?
I would say bread week.
Other than Halloween, I didnt really care for the themed weeks, especially theMexican-themed challenge.
I heard the new series is taking things back to basics, which I wouldve liked.
What is it like filming with the hosts and judges?
How often do you interact with them?
Theyre in and out of the tent.
They film their critiques and the results, and then head off to wherever they chill out on set.
Contestants also interact with them outside of filming, though, and theyre very supportive.
What are some challenging aspects of filming viewers dont get to see?
The pressure of having cameras on you when youve messed up a recipe.
If you look up from your station and suddenly theyre surrounding you, you know youre screwing something up.
Luckily, I got used to that pretty quickly.
Curb Your Expectations Post-Filming
What happens after the show has wrapped?
Were asked to keep super quiet about everything, especially the final.
Producers also told contestants not to expect to become anything after the show.
They made it clear thatBake Offisnt a place to seek fame.
But if success happens for you afterward, then go for it.
This interview was edited and condensed for clarity.