Bake Off's Crystelle Pereira pens heartfelt tribute to winner

The Great British Bake Off finalist Crystelle Pereira has shared a heartfelt message about her time on the show and celebrating the winner of the 2021 series.

If you missed Tuesday's (November 23) intense finale, look away now as there will be spoilers ahead.

Now that we're in the clear, you probably already know that this year's edition of the amateur baking show was won by Giuseppe Dell'Anno (if you didn't know, well, we warned you).

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great british bake off s5 final chigs, giuseppe and crystelle posing inside the tent

Love Productions//Channel 4

Taking to Instagram to share her thoughts on the finale, Crystelle exclaimed: "10 weeks and 30 bakes later….AND WE'RE DONE!!!!"

"First and foremost – the BIGGEST auguri [congratulations] in the world to Giuseppe," she continued. "He is the most humble, naturally talented, hilarious and genuine gentleman out there. I've felt so honoured and blessed to have baked alongside him for 10 weeks.

"His bench was behind mine in week 1, and I knew straight away that he was a shining star, and he continued to showcase his incredible skills, flair and true passion for baking right until the very end.

"I could not be happier or more PROUD to call Giuseppe our winner. I love you so so much, bravo [heart emoji]"

crystelle, great british bake off contestant

Mark Bourdillon/Love Productions//Channel 4

Crystelle then went on to "address the elephant in the room" aka how in a "Bake-Off first" she served the judges a completely raw focaccia in the showstopper challenge, which arguably cost her the win since she just came from a win in the technical challenge.

"That just sums up baking – you can bake something 100 times but you can never guarantee it will always come out the same. I wish I could tell you what went wrong with that bake but, till this day, I still don't know what happened! I do believe that everything happens for a reason though, and so I will always remain positive.

"The most important thing I've learnt is to keep your head held high amidst any setbacks, keep smiling and to try again. I feel so much pride and happiness to have completed 10 weeks in that tent alongside such a talented bunch of friends, including my fellow finalist Chigs. Making the final was an unthinkable achievement, and I still can't quite believe I was part of it."

The Great British Bake Off aired on Channel 4 in the UK. In the US, it's known as The Great British Baking Show, and streams on Netflix.