Everything You Can Eat At The Ned, The Winner Of Bake Off: The Professionals 2025

Each year, hotels from across the country send their top chefs to battle it out on Bake Off: The Professionals, the offshoot of Channel 4’s perennially popular baking show. After ten intense weeks, this year’s winners have been crowned, with Darian Schmidt and Yadira Jauffrineau from five-star hotel and members’ club The Ned seeing off competition from hotels like Corinthia London and the Marriott International group. If watching along has made you hungry to experience Darian and Yadira’s patisserie for yourselves, we have good news: you can try their craft here in London. Here’s everything you need to know about dining at The Ned – with a particular look at its sweet offering.

Who Won Bake Off: The Professionals 2025?

London-born chefs Darian (aged 32) and Yadira (28) from The Ned secured first place in Bake Off: The Professionals, which was judged by Benoit Blin and Cherish Finden (rumoured to be stepping into Prue Leith’s shoes for the 2026 edition of Celebrity Bake Off). The winning duo beat chefs from two other finalist teams, hotel Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill, and catering company Vacherin.

 

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The pair wowed in two final challenges, the first being to create a viral patisserie window display, which had to include gourmet cookies, gateaux de voyage and filled laminated bun – all baked within just four hours. It was goodbye for the chefs at Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill, leaving representatives from The Ned and Vacherin to show off their skills one last time in a seven-hour final challenge. For this, they were tasked with whizzing up a ‘great train journeys’ banquet featuring a sugar and chocolate showpiece – with enough dessert to feed 120 people. Piece of cake, right? 

The pair created a Black Forest Train Journey, which included a blueberry-inspired dessert made with praline feuilletine, blueberry muffin and blueberry compote, plus a honey sponge with peach compote.

‘When they announced our names, I was literally about to pass out, I lost the strength in my legs,’ said Darian. ‘We always felt that I could win it, and there was a lot of self-sacrificing along the way, but because we believed in ourselves I think that really helped.

Darian and Yadira met working at The Ned, and despite their efficient teamwork the winning duo had only known each other for nine months ahead of the show. ‘We haven’t worked together for long but we make a great team and we have learnt very quickly how to adapt and support each other’s strengths and weaknesses,’ noted Darian. 

Following the finale, The Ned’s Instagram page posted a shoutout, writing: ‘We’re thrilled to share that our talented pastry team, Darian and Yadira, have been crowned champions of Bake Off: The Professionals. Their artistry, precision and unrelenting dedication are a true reflection of the excellence we strive for at The Ned — and we couldn’t be more proud. A huge congratulations to the duo behind the desserts. You’ve truly risen to the occasion.’

What Is The Ned’s Food Offering?

The Bake Off: The Professionals winners were well-equipped for taking on big culinary challenges. Home to a whopping ten different restaurants spread across a grand former banking hall in one of London’s busiest districts, working in The Ned’s kitchen is no mean feat. From the Asian-inspired Kaia to Italian eatery Cecconi’s, cabaret restaurant The Parlour, and brasserie Millie’s Lounge, there are a range of different cuisines on offer, each offering their own style of patisserie.

The Parlour serves up a signature sharing Baked Alaska, alongside a standout dark chocolate souffle; at Cecconi’s it’s all about classic Italian desserts, like tiramisu and profiteroles; and Kaia focuses on homemade mochi and matcha slices. The Ned is also home to a branch of Electric Diner, where you can enjoy American classics like apple pie and baked New York cheesecake. 

And Millie’s Lounge offers afternoon tea, featuring a traditional selection of finger sandwiches, scones and cakes, alongside tea and champagne. 

Sundays are particularly busy for Dorian, Yadira and the rest of The Ned’s culinary team. Every week, the hotel hosts The Ned Feast, a decadent spread of limitless roasts, lobster and salads, plus a generous spread of desserts. Think stands filled with cupcakes and cake pops, slices of lemon elderflower loaf, rocky road, Eton Mess, fruit salad, and bread and butter pudding with custard. 

So what’s next for Dorian and Yadira following their win? ‘I want to get better in chocolate and sugar showpieces and want to grow as a pastry chef,’ Darian said. ‘I’m looking forward for more and new challenges and to bring new skills into The Ned. I am already thinking about how we can elevate The Ned and its desserts, especially afternoon tea.’

Can You Visit The Ned Without Being A Member?

Although parts of The Ned are only accessible to members, all the restaurants set within the main hall are open to the public. However, members are entitled to special benefits at the restaurants, and can visit the rooftop pool as well as a subterranean bar and lounge.

BOOK IT:

Find out more and book at thened.com