A sweet 16th season! Bake Off gang return to our screens
Yes, the famous tent has been erected once again, packed full of equipment in pastel shades and ready for a new batch of 12 amateur bakers who are as keen as mustard to impress judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith.
The 16th series of The Great British Bake Off starts on Channel 4 on Tuesday at 8pm.
You’ll soon find your favourite - fingers crossed they won’t be the first to be booted out, although at least they have a chance to relive their experiences when they join Jo Brand and Tom Allen on spin-off show An Extra Slice on Friday at 8pm.
Before that, everyone faces the challenge of cake week. As ever, the wonderful Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond are our hosts.
Last year, Welsh paediatric nurse Georgie Grasso was crowned champion, and feels it was a life-changing event: “I have learned I can do anything I set my mind to, and there are so many genuine people who want the best for you - work hard and it will pay off.”
Who will succeed her?
That’s anybody’s guess, but perhaps chemistry graduate Hassan will follow in the footsteps of fellow South Yorkshire resident Rahul Mandal, who triumphed in series 9 back in 2018.
Ukrainian-born Nataliia has been living in East Yorkshire with her husband and daughter for four years and loves using traditional recipes handed down through generations of her family.
Someone else of note is Iain from Belfast - and he’s hoping he won’t emulate someone else from that city who shares his name; Iain Watters famously left the tent after throwing his baked Alaska in the bin during series five.
Also appearing is Aaron, a senior systems architect living in London, who lists sewing among his hobbies - maybe we’ll see him pop up on sister show The Great British Sewing Bee one day.
The dozen amateurs taking who enter the tent for the first time will tackle the now traditional season opener - cake week.
Challenges involving a Swiss roll with an inlay design, fondant fancies and a landscape sponge are all on the menu.
App?
