Briony May Williams

About

British celebrity chef, baker, television presenter, columnist, and cookbook personality known for her breakout as a semi-finalist on The Great British Bake Off in 2018. She is also known for presenting Channel 4's Food Unwrapped and co-presenting BBC's Escape to the Country as well as for writing baking and recipe columns.

Before Fame

She baked as a child but only began taking it seriously only in 2013 after being diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome and taking extended time off of work. She studied Spanish and French at Durham University. She trained as a secondary school teacher and earned a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of Bristol to teach languages. She worked as a teacher early in her career before she became a fulltime pastry chef and baker. Her breakout moment was being cast and appearing on The Great British Bake Off in 2018. She released her debut cookbook The Retro Recipe Society in 2025.

Trivia

She reached the semi-finals of The Great British Bake Off Series 9 in 2018 and won Star Baker during Pastry Week for an Alice in Wonderland-themed pie. She returned to the Bake Off tent in 2019 and won The Great Christmas Bake Off special episode. She has been a regular food and baking columnist for BristolLife magazine and Asda's Good Living. She has served as an ambassador for charities including Reach, Paul's Place, and Bristol Mind.

Family Life

She was born and raised in Bristol, England. She grew up baking with her mother and grandmother. She married her husband Steve in 2012, and they have a daughter named Nora together.

Associated With

She appeared on season 9 of The Great British Bake Off alongside judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith and host Sandi Toksvig.