The Great British Bake Off | |
---|---|
Series 6 | |
Starring | |
No. of episodes | 10 |
Release | |
Original network | BBC One |
Original release | 5 August – 7 October 2015 |
Series chronology |
The sixth series (Season 3 on PBS, or Collection 3 on Netflix in the US) of The Great British Bake Off first aired on 5 August 2015, with twelve contestants competing to be the series 6 winner. [1] Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins presented the show, and Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood returned as judges.[ citation needed ] The competition was held in the ground of Welford Park, Berkshire for a second year. [2] The series was won by Nadiya Hussain, with Tamal Ray and Ian Cumming finishing as runners-up. [3]
The sixth series was broadcast as the third season on PBS in the United States.
Baker [4] | Age | Occupation | Hometown | Links |
---|---|---|---|---|
Alvin Magallanes | 37 | Nurse | Bracknell, Berkshire | [5] [6] |
Dorret Conway | 53 | Accountant | Penwortham, Lancashire | [7] [8] |
Flora Shedden | 19 | Art gallery assistant | Dunkeld, Perth and Kinross | [9] [10] |
Ian Cumming | 41 | Travel photographer | Great Wilbraham, Cambridgeshire | [11] [12] |
Marie Campbell | 66 | Retired | Auchterarder, Perthshire | [ citation needed ] |
Mat Riley | 37 | Fire fighter | London | [13] |
Nadiya Hussain | 30 | Full-time mother | Leeds / Luton | [14] |
Paul Jagger | 49 | Prison governor | Swansea, Wales | [15] [16] |
Sandy Docherty | 49 | Child welfare officer | Yeadon, West Yorkshire | [17] [18] |
Stu Henshall | 35 | Professional musician | Guildford, Surrey | [19] [20] [21] |
Tamal Ray | 29 | Trainee anaesthetist | Manchester | [22] |
Ugnė Bubnaityte | 32 | PA and administrator | Woodford, London / Vilkaviškis, Lithuania | [23] [24] [25] [26] |
Baker | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nadiya | HIGH | SAFE | SAFE | HIGH | SB | LOW | HIGH | SB | SB | WINNER |
Ian | SAFE | SB | SB | SB | SAFE | SAFE | HIGH | SAFE | LOW | Runner-up |
Tamal | HIGH | SAFE | SAFE | HIGH | SAFE | SAFE | SB | HIGH | HIGH | Runner-up |
Flora | HIGH | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | LOW | HIGH | SAFE | LOW | OUT | |
Paul | SAFE | LOW | HIGH | LOW | HIGH | SAFE | LOW | OUT | ||
Mat | SAFE | HIGH | LOW | SAFE | SAFE | SB | OUT | |||
Alvin | SAFE | SAFE | HIGH | LOW | SAFE | OUT | ||||
Ugnė | LOW | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | OUT | |||||
Sandy | SAFE | HIGH | SAFE | OUT | ||||||
Dorret | LOW | LOW | OUT | |||||||
Marie | SB | OUT | ||||||||
Stu | OUT |
Colour key:
For the first signature challenge, the bakers were given two hours to make a Madeira Cake, which was chosen as an "easy" challenge for the bakers. The cake should have a dome and a crack on top, though Mary stated the cake should not differ too far from the original. For the technical challenge, the bakers had 1+3⁄4 hours to make Mary Berry's recipe for a Walnut Cake, which should have three layers, a meringue coating, and caramelised walnuts. For the showstopper, challenge the bakers had 3+1⁄2 hours to make a Black Forest Gâteau. The bakers were tasked with making a cake that should be extravagant and should "impress" Mary and Paul.
Baker | Signature (Madeira Cake) | Technical (Walnut Cake) | Showstopper (Black Forest Gâteau) | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
Alvin | Orange Vanilla and Fig Madeira Cake | 2nd | Black Forest Gateau | Safe |
Dorret | Madeira Cake with Candied Lemons | 5th | Enchanted Forest Gateau | Safe |
Flora | Blood Orange Madeira Cake | 6th | Black Forest Gateau | Safe |
Ian | Somewhere West of Madeira Cake | 8th | Black Forest Cherry Tree | Safe |
Marie | Zingy Citrus Madeira Cake | 3rd | A Walk in the Black Forest | Star Baker |
Mat | Gin and Tonic Madeira Cake | 7th | Black Forest Gateau | Safe |
Nadiya | Orange and Green Cardamom Madeira Cake | 12th | Quadruple Chocolate Black Forest Gateau | Safe |
Paul | Lemon, Ginger and Caraway Seed Madeira Cake | 10th | Black Forest Chocolate Creation | Safe |
Sandy | Madeira Cake with Almond Liqueur and Chopped Apricots | 9th | Black Forest Gateau | Safe |
Stu | Marley Madeira Cake | 11th | Purple Forest Gateau | Eliminated |
Tamal | Pistachio and Rose Madeira Cake | 4th | Black Forest Gateau in a Chocolate Shell | Safe |
Ugnė | Lemon and Thyme Madeira Cake | 1st | Falling Cup Gateau | Safe |
For the signature challenge, the bakers were given two hours to bake twenty-four identical biscotti of any shape, flavour or size. In the technical challenge, they were required to make eight arlettes, which are high-end light delicate cinnamon-flavoured biscuits, in 2+1⁄2 hours. For the show stopper, they were set the challenge of making thirty-six biscuits to be presented in a biscuit box made of a different kind of biscuit mix. They were given four hours in this challenge.
Baker | Signature (24 Biscotti) | Technical (8 Arlettes) | Showstopper (36 Biscuits and an Edible Biscuit Box) | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
Alvin | Jackfruit, Pistachio and Macadamia Biscotti | 6th | Gingerbread Box filled with Brandy Snaps | Safe |
Dorret | Almond and Apricot Biscotti with Amber Sugar Crystals | 1st | Box of Frogs | Safe |
Flora | Wedding Biscotti | 2nd | Honey and Earl Grey Tea Box | Safe |
Ian | Orange, Rosemary and Almond Biscotti | 3rd | Sandwich de la Confiture | Star Baker |
Marie | Biscotti Italiano | 11th | Russian Box | Eliminated |
Mat | Pistachio, Cranberry and White Chocolate Biscotti | 5th | Gingerbread Fire Engine | Safe |
Nadiya | Coconut, Fennel and Pistachio Biscotti | 9th | Box of Fortunes | Safe |
Paul | Chocolate, Hazelnut and Fig Biscotti | 10th | Memory Box | Safe |
Sandy | Chocolate Chunk and Hazelnut Biscotti | 4th | Sundried Tomato Cheese Biscuit Box | Safe |
Tamal | Cinnamon, Maple and Cranberry Biscotti | 8th | Chessboard Box | Safe |
Ugnė | White Wine Biscotti | 7th | Baby Climbing into the Cookie Box | Safe |
In their signature challenge, the bakers were given 1+1⁄2 hour to make two quick bread to be made free-form (i.e. not in a tin). For the technical challenge, Paul set the bakers the challenge of baking four identical crusty baguettes in 2+1⁄2 hours. For the showstopper challenge, the bakers needed to make a 3D bread sculpture in 5 hours, using three types of dough, and one of them should be filled.
Baker | Signature (2 Quick Breads) | Technical (4 Baguettes) | Showstopper (3D Bread Sculpture) | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
Alvin | Prosciutto, Manchego and Balsamic Onion Soda Breads | 4th | Cornucopia | Safe |
Dorret | Walnut and Stilton Soda Breads | 6th | Unmade Bread | Eliminated |
Flora | Fig and Hazelnut Rye Breads | 2nd | Herb Couture | Safe |
Ian | Wild Garlic Pesto Soda Breads | 1st | Flour Power | Star Baker |
Mat | Jalapeño, Mexican Cheddar and Smoked Salt Soda Breads | 8th | Curry Inspired Brighton Pavilion | Safe |
Nadiya | Mexican Bread with Warm Tomato Salsa | 9th | Snake Charmer's Basket | Safe |
Paul | Cranberry and Orange Sweet Soda Breads | 10th | King of the Jungle* | Safe |
Sandy | Soda Breads with Smoked Bacon and Onion | 7th | Basket of Bread Flowers with a Walnut and Blue Cheese Centre | Safe |
Tamal | Fig, Cheese and Walnut Breads | 3rd | Breadcycle | Safe |
Ugnė | Chocolate Quick Breads with Salted Caramel Sauce | 5th | Easter Basket | Safe |
* Paul received the first ever special commendation for his showstopper King of the Jungle. [27]
For the signature challenge, the bakers had two hours to make twelve crème brûlées. The brief specified that the custard must be set and that the bakers were not allowed to use a blowtorch to caramelize the top. For the technical challenge, the bakers had four hours to make a Spanische Windtorte. This dessert had two types of meringue, Swiss and French, designed into a circular box and filled with cream and fruit. Three tiers of sweet cheesecakes were set as the showstopper. The structure must be self-standing, have unique flavors and be completed in 4+1⁄2 hours.
Baker | Signature (12 Crème Brûlées) | Technical (Spanische Windtorte) | Showstopper (Three-Tiered Cheesecake) | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
Alvin | Blackberry Crème Brûlées | 9th | Tower of Fruits Cheesecakes | Safe |
Flora | Rhubarb and Ginger Crème Brûlées | 3rd | Elderflower and Granola Cheesecakes | Safe |
Ian | Pomegranate Two Ways Crème Brûlées | 4th | Trio of Spicy and Herby Baked Cheesecakes | Star Baker |
Mat | Coconut Crème Brûlées | 7th | Chocolate Bar Cheesecakes | Safe |
Nadiya | Cinnamon Tea Crème Brûlées | 8th | Fizzy Pop Cheesecakes | Safe |
Paul | Almond Crème Brûlées | 1st | Berry Cheesecake Tower | Safe |
Sandy | Pontefract Crème Brûlées | 6th | Cassata, Whisky and Orange & Apple Pie Cheesecakes | Eliminated |
Tamal | Rhubarb and Ginger Crème Brûlées | 5th | Mango, Hazelnut and Rosemary Cheesecake Trio | Safe |
Ugnė | Marula Fruit and Coffee Liqueur Crème Brûlées | 2nd | Lime, Coconut and Hazelnut Cheesecakes | Safe |
This episode has a theme of using alternatives for ingredients usually used in baking. For the signature bake, the bakers were given the challenge of baking a cake, but without using sugar. They were given 2+1⁄2 hour for the bake. For the technical bake, the challenge was to make twelve identical gluten-free pita breads in two hours. In the showstopper, the bakers needed to make an ice-cream roll using dairy-free ice-cream. They were given 4+1⁄2 hours for the bake.
Baker | Signature (Sugar-Free Cake) | Technical (12 Gluten-Free Pita Bread) | Showstopper (Dairy-Free Ice-Cream Roll) | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
Alvin | Pineapple Upside Down Cake | 8th | Buko Pandan, Mango and Passion Fruit Ice Cream Roll | Safe |
Flora | Pistachio, Apple and Cardamom Madeleine Cake | 3rd | Chocolate and Pear Bûche | Safe |
Ian | Honey and Flowers Cake | 5th | Dessert Island | Safe |
Mat | Sugar Free Carrot Cake | 4th | Raspberry & Coconut Ice Cream Roll | Safe |
Nadiya | Naked Blueberry and Caraway Crunch Cake | 1st | Chocolate and Strawberry Lime Ice Cream Roll | Star Baker |
Paul | Carrot & Pecan Cake | 2nd | Dessert Island Getaway | Safe |
Tamal | Honey and Grapefruit Polenta Cake | 7th | Passion Fruit and Pineapple Ice Cream Roll | Safe |
Ugnė | Chocolate and Hazelnut Sugar-Free Cake | 6th | Chocolate, Peanut Butter and Grape Jam Roll | Eliminated |
For this week's signature challenge, the bakers had to make a Frangipane tart in two hours with the brief being that it must be open-topped and must be shortcrust pastry. In the technical, the bakers had to make twelve Flaounes, a cheese filled pastry made in Cyprus. They had two hours. Vol-au-vents were set as the Showstopper – the bakers had to make two types, all using their own puff pastry – in three hours and forty-five minutes.
Baker | Signature (Frangipane tart) | Technical (12 Flaounes) | Showstopper (48 Vol-au-vents) | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
Alvin | Plum Frangipane Tart | 6th | Smoked Salmon En Croûte and Vermouth Chicken à la King vol-au-vents | Eliminated |
Flora | Apricot and Rosemary Frangipane Tart | 2nd | Asparagus and Parma Ham and Praline and Chocolate vol-au-vents | Safe |
Ian | Pear and Raspberry Frangipane Tart | 3rd | vol-au-vents Terre et Mer | Safe |
Mat | Piña Colada Frangipane Tart | 1st | His 'n' Hers vol-au-vents | Star Baker |
Nadiya | Bay Leaf, Rong Tea and Pear Tart | 4th | Bengali Korma and Clementine with Cod vol-au-vents | Safe |
Paul | Christmas Frangipane Tart | 5th | Savoury and Sweet Bouchées | Safe |
Tamal | Spiced Pear Frangipane Tart | 7th | Fennel and Rosemary Pulled Pork and Chicken and Coriander vol-au-vents | Safe |
For the first challenge, the bakers had three hours to make a raised game pie. The pie must have thin hot water crust pastry and must be very ornate, as most game pies from the era were. For the technical challenge, a tennis fruit cake was set for the bakers. The bakers were given three hours to make a fruit cake, with royal icing, sugar paste, and gelatine. A Charlotte Russe was set as the showstopper. To be done in 5+1⁄2 hours, the bake usually has ladyfingers around jelly and a sponge – with flavour and decoration being key.
Baker | Signature (Raised Game Pie) | Technical (Tennis Cake) | Showstopper (Charlotte Russe) | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
Flora | Game Pie with Shallot and Apple Chutney | 4th | Raspberry, Pomegranate and Champagne Charlotte Russe | Safe |
Ian | Roadkill Pie | 5th | Victoria's Crown Charlotte Russe | Safe |
Mat | Raised Venison and Pigeon Pie | 6th | Strawberry Charlotte Russe | Eliminated |
Nadiya | Aromatic Raised Game Pie | 1st | Mango and Raspberry Charlotte Russe | Safe |
Paul | Not a Boaring Pie | 2nd | Charlotte Rose | Safe |
Tamal | Middle Eastern Game Pie | 3rd | Spiced Blackberry, Raspberry and Cardamom Charlotte Russe | Star Baker |
In the first quarter-final challenge, the bakers had to make twenty-four cream horns, twelve of each flavour, using either puff, rough puff or flaky pastry, in 3+1⁄2 hours. Mary Berry's recipe for nine mokatines was set as the technical challenge. They are small, delicate genoise sponges filled with a coffee buttercream that are meant to be attractive, as if "in a pâtisserie window", and only have two hours. Religieuse à l'ancienne were set as the showstopper challenge. They are large éclairs, stood upright with no dowelling, and decorated with buttercream. They were given four hours. Although the towers were left to stand for two hours after the challenge as traditional religieuse would have been left for such time, some of the towers began to collapse or lean upon being presented to Mary and Paul.
Baker | Signature (24 Cream Horns) | Technical (9 Mokatines) | Showstopper (Religieuse à l'ancienne) | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
Flora | Peach & Lemon Thyme and Smoked Almond & Butterscotch Cream Horns | 3rd | Lime & Basil and Coconut & White Chocolate Religieuse à l'ancienne | Safe |
Ian | Mont Blanc & Black Forest Gâteau Horns | 2nd | Nun with Hidden Passions | Safe |
Nadiya | Rose Pistachio and Mocha Hazelnut Horns | 1st | Bubble Gum and Peppermint Cream Religieuse à l'ancienne | Star Baker |
Paul | Café Tipple & Banana Crunch-away Horns | 5th | Religieuse à l'ancienne | Eliminated |
Tamal | Lime & Mascarpone and Malt Cream Horns | 4th | Passionfruit & Mango and Pistachio & Raspberry Religieuse à l'ancienne | Safe |
For the first challenge, the bakers had 2+1⁄2 hours to make a chocolate tart. The tart had to be ornate, intricate, and full of flavour. For the technical challenge, the bakers faced a staggered start, and were each given 1 hour and 15 minutes to make a chocolate soufflé – with Flora starting first, followed by Ian, Nadiya, and Tamal. A chocolate centrepiece was set as the showstopper. In 4 hours, the bakers had to create an ornate centrepiece using white chocolate in some form and including a biscuit element, the centrepiece having to be free-standing and attractive.
Baker | Signature (Chocolate Tart) | Technical (Chocolate Soufflé) | Showstopper (Chocolate Centrepieces) | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
Flora | Passion Fruit and Chocolate Tart | 1st | Cocoa Carousel | Eliminated |
Ian | Chocolate and Bay Tart | 3rd | Chocolate Well | Safe |
Nadiya | Peanut Salted Caramel and Chocolate Tart | 4th | Peacock in Nan's Door | Star Baker |
Tamal | Chocolate New York Pie | 2nd | Chocolate Bell Tower | Safe |
Flora's elimination meant that she was the first baker to have finished first in the technical challenge and be eliminated the same week.
In the final signature challenge, the bakers had to make sixteen iced buns, of which there must be two kinds, in three hours. In the technical challenge, the judges decided to use one of Paul Hollywood's recipes; the bakers had to bake six raspberry-flavoured mille-feuille with fondant icing in two hours. The recipe involved pastry – something all of the bakers had struggled with in Week Six. In the final showstopper, the bakers were given four hours to make a classic British cake in a minimum three-layered presentation.
Baker | Signature (16 Iced Buns) | Technical (6 Mille-Feuille) | Showstopper (Classic British Cake) | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ian | Elderflower and Lemon & Spiced Buns | 2nd | Colossal Curvy Carrot Cake | Runner-up |
Nadiya | Cardamom and Almond Buns & Nutmeg and Sour Cherry Fingers | 1st | My Big Fat British Wedding Cake | Winner |
Tamal | Cinnamon and Apple & Toffee and Marmalade Iced Buns | 3rd | Sticky Toffee Pudding Cake | Runner-up |
Mary and Paul show how to bake some of their favourite recipes and technical challenges.
Bake 1 | Bake 2 | Bake 3 | |
---|---|---|---|
Mary | Madeira Cake | Walnut Cake | Black Forest Gâteau |
Paul | Hazelnut and Orange Biscotti | Arlettes | — |
Bake 1 | Bake 2 | Bake 3 | |
---|---|---|---|
Mary | Cappuccino Crème Brûlée | Spanische Windtorte | White Chocolate and Raspberry Cheesecake |
Paul | Soda Bread | Baguettes | — |
Bake 1 | Bake 2 | Bake 3 | |
---|---|---|---|
Mary | Sugarfee Carrot Cake | Apricot Frangipane Tart | — |
Paul | Flaounes | Raised Game Pie | Lime and Passionfruit Charlotte Russe |
Bake 1 | Bake 2 | |
---|---|---|
Mary | Tennis Cake | Mokatines |
Paul | Cream Horns | Religious a l'Ancienne |
Bake 1 | Bake 2 | Bake 3 | |
---|---|---|---|
Mary | Christmas Pavlova | Christmas Trifle | Rosace à l’Orange |
Paul | Christmas Chelsea Buns | Turkey and Ham Pie | Pandoro |
As the show was pre-recorded, the winner of the show would have been known by those involved in the show. Bookmaker Ladbrokes halted betting on the show after "a run of bets" was placed for one contestant, many at shops in the Ipswich area. [28]
It was also claimed that dozens of employees of BBC as well as the production company, Love Productions, had opened gambling accounts to place bets on the eventual winner. [29]
In a BBC Radio 2 broadcast, judge Mary Berry accidentally revealed the eliminated contestant prior to the airing of episode three. [30]
Contestant Marie Campbell, who was the first Star Baker of the series, was criticised for being "semi-professional", after it emerged that she had been trained in Ecole Escoffier at the Ritz in Paris where she specialised in patisserie. A statement from the BBC said: "There are strict criteria to take part in the show and Marie met those criteria. She gained a certificate for one week’s training in Paris in 1984, more than 10 years ago. She has not worked professionally as a baker or chef." [31] [32]
Nadiya Hussain regularly appears on The One Show on BBC1. Her own cookery show, The Chronicles of Nadiya started on 24 August 2016 on BBC One. Hussain writes a weekly column for The Times Magazine, a part of the Saturday supplement of The Times , [33] [34] [35] as well as a monthly column in Essentials magazine. [36] Her recipes have also appeared in BBC's Good Food magazine. [37]
Hussain was signed by UK publisher Michael Joseph, part of Penguin Random House, [38] for her debut book Nadiya's Kitchen, which is a collection of the recipes that she cooks for friends and family. [39] Hussain has written a children's book of stories and recipes, Bake Me A Story, due to be published by Hodder Children's Books, [40] which blends updated versions of fairytales (poor "Sleepless Beauty" just needs a nice cup of cardamom-infused hot chocolate to break her curse; resourceful Jack wins the giant over with yummy bean patties) with colourful illustrations and child-friendly recipes. [41] She is also writing three contemporary women's fiction novels for Harlequin. [42]
Tamal Ray writes a monthly column for The Guardian . [43] He presented a television show on health on Channel 4 titled Be Your Own Doctor. [44]
Flora Shedden studied for a year at the University of Edinburgh but deferred on a course on art history at the University of St Andrews for a year to concentrate on writing a cookbook, Gatherings, published in January 2017. [45] [46] She wrote a column on baking for The Scotsman . [47]
According to the overnight ratings, the opening episode of the series 6 of Bake Off was watched by 9.3 million viewers, a rise of over 2 million from the previous year. [48] The final was watched by an overnight audience of 13.4 million viewers peaking at 14.5, the highest overnight total of 2015. [49] The list of ten most-watched television programmes of 2015 was also dominated by The Great British Bake Off, with seven of the year's ten being episodes of The Great British Bake Off. [50] During the entire length of the series, no national programme on any of the episodes was higher rated than Bake Off.
Official episode viewing figures are from BARB. [51]
Episode no. | Airdate | 7 day viewers (millions) | 28 day viewers (millions) | BBC One weekly ranking | Weekly ranking all channels [52] | BBC iPlayer requests |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 5 August 2015 | 11.62 | 11.73 | 1 | 2,063,000 [53] | |
2 | 12 August 2015 | 11.59 | 11.84 | 1,977,000 [53] | ||
3 | 19 August 2015 | 12.01 | N/A | 1,760,000 [53] | ||
4 | 26 August 2015 | 12.36 | 12.67 | 1,539,000 [53] | ||
5 | 2 September 2015 | 12.39 | 12.63 | 1,930,000 [54] | ||
6 | 9 September 2015 | 12.00 | 12.26 | 1,869,000 [54] | ||
7 | 16 September 2015 | 12.35 | 12.58 | 1,841,000 [54] | ||
8 | 23 September 2015 | 11.09 | 11.35 | 1,748,000 [54] | ||
9 | 30 September 2015 | 12.65 | 12.78 | 1,370,000 [54] | ||
10 | 7 October 2015 | 15.05 | 15.16 | 1,619,000 [54] |
Episode no. | Airdate | 7 day Viewers (millions) | BBC Two weekly ranking |
---|---|---|---|
4 October 2015 | N/A | N/A |
Episode no. | Airdate | 7 day Viewers (millions) | BBC Two weekly ranking |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 12 October 2015 | 2.55 | 2 |
2 | 16 October 2015 | 1.74 | 18 |
3 | 19 October 2015 | 1.83 | 12 |
4 | 23 October 2015 | 1.41 | 29 |
Episode no. | Airdate | 7 day Viewers (millions) | BBC Two weekly ranking |
---|---|---|---|
17 December 2015 | 2.21 | 11 |
The first series of The Great British Bake Off first aired on BBC Two on 17 August 2010. Ten home bakers took part in a bake-off to test their baking skills as they battled to be designated the best amateur baker. Each week the programme bakers participated in three challenges in a particular discipline, with some being eliminated at the end of each episode. The rounds of the competition took place in various locations across the UK following a theme, for example, the episode on puddings took place in Bakewell, bread baking would take place near Sandwich. This first series had a voiceover by Stephen Noonan; for the subsequent series this role was taken by the on-screen presenters Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins. The competition was won by Edd Kimber.
The second series of The Great British Bake Off started 14 August 2011 with twelve amateur bakers. Unlike series one, the competition was held in a single location – the grounds of Valentines Mansion, a 17th-century mansion house in Redbridge. In addition to their on-screen presenting, Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins also took over the narration, which had been done by Stephen Noonan for the previous series. Series two also introduced the "star baker" award for the most impressive performer each week.
The third series of The Great British Bake Off began airing on Tuesday 14 August 2012. The series was filmed at Harptree Court in East Harptree, Somerset.
The fourth series of The Great British Bake Off began airing on 20 August 2013. Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins again presented the show and Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood returned as judges. As with series three, the competition was held at Harptree Court in East Harptree, Somerset.
The fifth series of The Great British Bake Off first aired on 6 August 2014, with twelve contestants. Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins presented the show and Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood returned as judges. Twelve contestants competed in this series, and the competition was held in Welford Park in Berkshire. The series was won by Nancy Birtwhistle, with Luis Troyano and Richard Burr finishing as runners-up.
The first season of The Great Australian Bake Off premiered on 9 July 2013 on the Nine Network, and saw ten home bakers take part in a bake-off to test their baking skills as they battled to be crowned The Great Australian Bake Off's best amateur baker. The season consisted of 8 episodes. Each episode saw bakers put through three challenges, with each episode having its own theme or discipline. The season aired from 9 July 2013 until 27 August 2013, and saw Nancy Ho win. The season was hosted by Anna Gare and Shane Jacobson, and was judged by Dan Lepard and Kerry Vincent.
Nadiya Jamir Hussain is a British television chef, author and television personality. She rose to fame after winning the sixth series of BBC's The Great British Bake Off in 2015. Since winning, she has signed contracts with the BBC to host the documentary The Chronicles of Nadiya and TV cookery series Nadiya's British Food Adventure and Nadiya's Family Favourites; co-presented The Big Family Cooking Showdown; and has become a regular contributor on The One Show.
The seventh series of The Great British Bake Off aired from 24 August 2016, with twelve contestants competing to be crowned the series 7 winner.
The eighth series of The Great British Bake Off began on 29 August 2017, with this being the first of The Great British Bake Off to be broadcast on Channel 4, after the production company Love Productions moved the show from BBC One. It is the first series for new hosts Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig, and new judge Prue Leith.
The first season of The Great American Baking Show, released under the title The Great Holiday Baking Show, premiered on ABC on November 30, 2015 as part of ABC's holiday programming schedule. Six amateur bakers competed in twelve challenges throughout the competition for the title of America's best holiday baker.
The first season of The Great Canadian Baking Show premiered on CBC Television on November 1, 2017. Ten amateur bakers competed over eight weeks of challenges throughout the competition for the title.
The ninth series of The Great British Bake Off began on 28 August 2018, with this being the second series to be broadcast on Channel 4. The series is presented by Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig, with judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith. This series saw a few changes to the usual format: the first episode being Biscuit Week, the documentary inserts were dropped, and the finale included the competitors doing a technical challenge outside the tent for the first time.
The second season of The Great Canadian Baking Show premiered on CBC Television on September 19, 2018. Ten amateur bakers competed over eight weeks of challenges throughout the competition for the title. Canadian actor and television personality Dan Levy and Canadian-British actress Julia Chan returned as hosts, with French-born Canadian chef Bruno Feldeisen and Canadian-Australian pastry chef Rochelle Adonis also returning as judges. For the second season, producer Marike Emery stated that the audition process prioritized "skill over personality" and that the tasks would be more challenging than the first season.
The tenth series of The Great British Bake Off began on 27 August 2019. It was presented by returning hosts Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig, and judged by returning judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith.
The eleventh series of The Great British Bake Off began on 22 September 2020. It was presented by returning host Noel Fielding and new host Matt Lucas, who replaced Sandi Toksvig, and was judged by returning judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith. The first three episodes were extended to 90 minutes instead of the usual 75 minutes. The bakers were announced on 15 September 2020.
The fourth season of The Great Canadian Baking Show premiered on CBC Television on February 14, 2021. As with previous seasons, ten amateur bakers will compete over eight weeks of challenges, vying for the title. The season marked the debut of Ann Pornel and Alan Shane Lewis as hosts, who replaced Carolyn Taylor and Aurora Browne. Bruno Feldeisen and Kyla Kennaley returned for their fourth and second seasons respectively as judges.
The twelfth series of The Great British Bake Off began airing on 21 September 2021. It is presented by Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas, and judged by returning judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith. The bakers were announced on 14 September 2021.
The fifth season of The Great Canadian Baking Show premiered on CBC Television on October 17, 2021. As with previous seasons, ten amateur bakers will compete over eight weeks of challenges, vying for the title. Ann Pornel and Alan Shane Lewis return for their second season as hosts. Bruno Feldeisen and Kyla Kennaley return for their fifth and third seasons respectively as judges.
The thirteenth series of The Great British Bake Off began on 13 September 2022. It is again presented by Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas and judged by Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith. The bakers competing in the series were announced on 2 September 2022. The series was filmed at Welford Park, an estate near Newbury, Berkshire which was previously used for the programme from 2014 to 2019.
The fourteenth series of The Great British Bake Off began on 26 September 2023. In December 2022, Matt Lucas announced his departure from the show after three series as a co-presenter. In March 2023, Alison Hammond was announced as his replacement and joined Noel Fielding as co-host. Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith returned to judge the series. The bakers competing in the series were announced on 18 September 2023, and included the show’s first ever deaf contestant.