I will be doing most of the cooking but I will be employing a full-time baker and my mum will be lending a hand. It’s going to be a real family affair.

She said: “I haven’t quit my degree but intend to defer for a bit longer with all that is going on.

But, rather than move to London to pursue a career as a celebrity baker, Flora returned home to Dunkeld, Perthshire, to open her very own artisan bakery. Flora explained: “I don’t think telly would have been the one for me. It was fun when I was doing it, but I really struggled with the attention and kind of ‘nowhere to hide’ side of Bake Off. Last week, Scots clan chief Lady Claire Macdonald, Irish TV chef Rachel Allen and Yorkshire cook Frances Atkins were photographed attending screen tests in London with judge Paul Hollywood, sparking rumours they are to be the replacements for Mary Berry. Flora attended the University of Edinburgh to study architecture and the University of St Andrews to study art history, but she is currently on a break from her studies while pursuing her career in baking.

Start this the day before baking. Best eaten on the day it's baked, but it will keep for up to 2 days in an airtight container in a cool place. It can be frozen. Remove from the oven once crisp and allow them to cool completely before serving with a good selection of cheese and antipasti, or with the above soup and some nice salted butter. They will keep in an airtight container for a month. There’s a lot of work to be done but, if it all goes well, we could be throwing open the doors in May. Assemble the salad on a large serving platter. Scatter some watercress over the base of the platter then dot with the dressed fennel slices, grapefruit and chicory in a haphazard fashion. Finish with a little more watercress, some cress leaves, parsley and the fennel fronds. Dot the crabmeat over the dish. Stir the bread mixture together gently until just combined, then stir through the onions. Again, do not overmix – you just need to ensure the onions are evenly dispersed.Flora, who has a cat called Dog, said: “I know there have been rumours about who will be fronting the new show with Paul Hollywood and they all look interesting. I’ve had lovely messages from my fellow contestants on Bake Off including Nadiya Hussain and Mat Riley. Beat the butter and sugars together until light and fluffy, preferably in a free-standing mixer set to a medium speed. Add the eggs, honey and flours and mix again. Fold in the cooled toasted pine nuts and the orange zest, if using, with a wooden spoon or spatula. She has been in a relationship with James Irvine since February 7, 2016. James is the general manager of the Birnam Arts and Conference Centre in Perthshire.