The Great British Baking Show: Who is Jessika Trassel and how is she faring in the competition? 

Netflix’s The Great British Baking Show Season 13 has kicked off with twelve home bakers showing off their best skills in the tent, and no extra drama, just flour, sugar, and a lot of stress baking. One contestant already grabbing attention is Jessika Trassel, a 32-year-old from Cornwall who now lives in London. She’s not just baking for fun. She runs her own shop, Redamancy Bakery, and she somehow juggles that with being a service designer, traveling, and performing in drag.

Jessika made a big impression in the very first episode. For her signature bake, she created something special for her sister, proving that baking can tell stories as much as it can taste good. Judges loved her mix of skill and heart, which makes her one to watch as the challenges get tougher. With three rounds each week, which are Signature, Technical, and the all-important Showstopper, only one baker gets crowned Star Baker while someone else heads home. Jessika’s creativity and emotional touch might just carry her all the way to the final.

How is Jessika doing on The Great British Baking Show?

Jessika made an immediate impression during her first appearance in the tent on The Great British Baking Show. She approached the Signature challenge with personal meaning, creating a Coconut and Grapefruit Swiss Roll dedicated to her sister Lucy. The judges praised her complex flavor combination of coconut sponge, grapefruit curd, and white chocolate-black pepper ganache.

Her technical challenge performance proved equally impressive on The Great British Baking Show. Jessika produced nine perfectly risen raspberry-filled Fondant Fancies, earning second place out of twelve contestants. This strong showing demonstrated her ability to follow precise instructions under pressure. The Showstopper round allowed Jessika to showcase her artistic vision. She created a landscape cake inspired by the gardens belonging to a woman who encouraged her during her travels. While the flavor profile impressed judges, she narrowly missed the Star Baker title to Nataliia Richardson.

Jessika grew up in Cornwall alongside her sister Lucy, developing their shared love of baking from childhood. The sisters regularly visited local shops for cake slices after dance classes, strengthening their bond through sweet treats. Their relationship remains close into adulthood, celebrating milestones and holidays together.

The baker maintains strong friendships that provide essential support during challenging times. Her love language involves creating personalized bakes based on friends' preferences and tastes. Past creations include a Guinness-flavored Yoda Cake, Black Forest Gateau Entremet, and Jerusalem Artichoke Caramel Dark Chocolate Mousse.

Currently residing in London, Jessika works as a service designer after earning her master's degree from the Royal College of Arts in 2023. She also operates Redamancy Bakery, describing it as "an act of love returned in full." The business allows her to share passion projects inspired by loved ones.

When she’s not in the kitchen, Jessika slips into a totally different role, her drag king alter ego, Oliver Clothezoff. Performing in drag lets her show another side of her creativity, and she treats it like something really special. She’s just as active outside the stage, too. Jessika’s into rollerblading, running marathons, and even cycling huge distances, like the time she biked all the way from Copenhagen to Berlin. For her, these challenges aren’t just about exercise. They’re about learning more about herself.

Travel is another big part of her life. She’s explored all over the UK and gone on adventures in countries like Croatia, Italy, Germany, Morocco, and Spain. Northern Ireland is a favorite spot, and she makes sure to visit every summer. Whether it’s baking, performing, running, or traveling, Jessika always seems to be chasing something new, as seen on The Great British Baking Show, and that’s what makes her stand out in and out of the baking tent.

What’s next for Jessika on The Great British Baking Show?

Jessika walked into the tent and made it clear she’s not just here to whip cream, she’s here to whip the competition. Her first bakes had both brains and heart, with flavors that worked and stories that stuck. That combo made her pop right out from the rest, and you could see the judges leaning in.

What’s wild is how cool she stays while everyone else is sweating butter. Jessika doesn’t just decorate cakes; she gives them meaning, like each slice has a secret. That’s the kind of edge most bakers would trade their rolling pins for. At this point, she’s looking like one of the big stars of Season 13 of The Great British Baking Show. The only mystery left is whether she can keep sprinkling that magic when the heat turns up. If she can, Jessika might not just rise to the occasion; she might rise higher than her own soufflé.

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You can watch The Great British Baking Show on Netflix.

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