[a] Jeff was ill and unable to compete during the technical challenge and showstopper in episode 1. As a result, the judges decided that it was unfair to eliminate anyone in his absence.
[b] Jeff left the show during the technical challenge in episode 2 after feeling unwell.
[c] Illiyin's showstopper in episode 2 was evaluated without her, as she fainted at the end of the challenge and required medical attention.
Colour key:
Baker was one of the judges' least favourite bakers that week, but was not eliminated.
Baker was one of the judges' favourite bakers that week, but was not the Star Baker.
Baker got through to the next round.
Baker did not compete that week.
Baker withdrew from the show.
Baker was eliminated.
Baker was the Star Baker.
Baker was a series runner-up.
Baker was the series winner.
Episodes
Episode 1: Cake
The first episode is Cake Week.[17] For the first challenge, the bakers were given two hours to produce an elevated version of their signature loaf cake. For the technical challenge, set by Paul, the bakers were asked to bake a batch of eight perfectly symmetrical mini Battenberg cakes, consisting of a light sponge sandwiched in a silky buttercream, coated in apricot jam and wrapped in marzipan. The bakers were given five minutes to inspect and taste a mini Battenburg cake with no additional recipe, and were then given two hours and fifteen minutes to complete the challenge. For the showstopper challenge, the bakers were asked to make a hyper-realistic illusion cake in four hours.
Baker
Signature (Loaf Cake)
Technical/Taste And Bake (8 Mini Battenbergs)
Showstopper (Hyperrealistic Illusion Cake)
Result
Andy
'My First Bake' Loaf Cake
8th
'It's an Overnight Job' Illusion Cake
Safe
Christiaan
'Umami Apple' Loaf Cake
2nd
'Sweet Seams are Made With This' Illusion Cake
Safe
Dylan
'Sticky Rice' Loaf Cake
4th
'Canopic Jar' Illusion Cake
Safe
Georgie
Vanilla & Chocolate Marble Loaf Cake
1st
'Fanny the Chicken' Illusion Cake
Safe
Gill
'It's All V's Fault' Loaf Cake
6th
Crown Green Bowling Illusion Cake
Safe
Hazel
'Raspberry Surprise' Loaf Cake
10th
'Handbag' Illusion Cake
Safe
Illiyin
'Cinnamon Roll' Loaf Cake
7th
Vase Illusion Cake
Safe
Jeff
'Guiding Star' Loaf Cake
Did not compete
Did not compete
Safe
John
Cherry & Chocolate Marble Loaf Cake
3rd
'The Perfect Brunch' Illusion Cake
Star Baker
Mike
Lemon and Linseed Loaf Cake
11th
'My Favourite Cake & Books' Illusion Cake
Safe
Nelly
Coconut Loaf Cake
5th
'Retro 90's Shoes' Illusion Cake
Safe
Sumayah
'Halwa Surprise' Loaf Cake
9th
'Pato the Duck' Illusion Cake
Safe
Episode 2: Biscuits
The second episode is Biscuit Week. For the first challenge, the bakers were given two hours to produce twelve Viennese whirls sandwiched in any shape, flavour, and filling of their choice. For the technical challenge, set by Prue, the bakers were asked to bake a batch of twelve mint cream biscuits, consisting of a buttery biscuit topped with a smooth peppermint cream and coated in tempered dark chocolate. For the showstopper challenge, the bakers were asked to make a biscuit puppet theatre with edible biscuit puppets.
'What’s The Matter? Are You Not Feeling Well?' Viennese Whirls
Withdrew
John
Irish Cream & Coffee Viennese Whirls
2nd
'Welsh Adventures' Biscuit Puppet Theatre
Safe
Mike
Malted Brown Butter & Raspberry Viennese Whirls
1st
'Go Farming' Biscuit Puppet Theatre
Safe
Nelly
'My First Dog' Viennese Whirls
7th
'Forest Dance' Biscuit Puppet Theatre
Safe
Sumayah
Cheese & Blackberry Viennese Whirls
3rd
'Enchanted Garden' Biscuit Puppet Theatre
Star Baker
^2 Jeff fell ill during the technical challenge and as it was his second consecutive week falling ill, he withdrew from the show altogether.
^3 Illiyin fainted at the end of the showstopper challenge. Since she was still able to complete the round, the judges continued with evaluating her bake, deeming her a candidate for elimination alongside Georgie and Hazel.
Episode 3: Bread
The ten remaining bakers were asked to carry out three challenges. The Signature Challenge was to make twelve identical savoury buns which had to be from an enriched, yeast-based dough, but could be any flavour and any shape. The Technical Challenge let the bakers watch Paul Hollywood demonstrate the plaiting of seven strands of dough to form a wreath before they then repeated the exercise. The final Showstopper Challenge this week was to make a cornucopia, also called a 'horn of plenty', filled with at least two different types of bread.
Baker
Signature (Savoury Buns)
Technical (Plaited Loaf)
Showstopper (Bread Cornucopia Display)
Result
Andy
'Maisie's Mini Salami' Savoury Buns
3rd
'New York, Neeeeeeew Yoooork' Cornucopia
Safe
Christiaan
Mushroom and Sage Pesto Savoury Buns
8th
'Wildflower Delights' Cornucopia
Safe
Dylan
Gochujang & Garlic Savoury Buns
10th
'Cat' Cornucopia
Star Baker
Georgie
'Pesto Brunch' Savoury Buns
7th
'My Favourite Things' Cornucopia
Safe
Gill
Bury Black Pudding Savoury Buns
5th
'All Day Holiday' Cornucopia
Safe
Illiyin
Jamaican Brown Chicken Savoury Buns
4th
Bread Cornucopia
Safe
John
'Yamas!' Savoury Buns
9th
'Horn of Pride' Cornucopia
Eliminated
Mike
'Baaa-o' Savoury Buns
6th
'Zeus’s Horn' Cornucopia
Safe
Nelly
'Ethnic Harmony' Savoury Buns
1st
Cornucopia
Safe
Sumayah
'Sunflower' Savoury Buns
2nd
'Friendship & Family' Cornucopia
Safe
Episode 4: Caramel
The nine remaining bakers tackled caramel this week throughout the three challenges. For the signature challenge, the bakers were asked to make 12 identical caramel biscuits. For the technical challenge, they were tasked with making a classic pear tarte tatin. For the showstopper, the challenge was to make a caramel mousse with at least two types of caramel.
The seven remaining bakers faced three challenges themed around autumn. For the signature, they had 2 hours and 45 minutes to make a decorative pie with autumnal flavours. The technical recipe was Prue Leith's vegan adaptation of a traditional parkin; the bakers had an hour and a half to complete the challenge. The showstopper required them to produce elaborate vegetable cakes themed around an autumn festival.
The six remaining bakers were tested on their dessert-making skills. The signature challenge was for eight mini meringue nests with two fillings, to be completed in two and a quarter hours. For the technical, Prue Leith tasked the contestants with making a traditional English pudding: the spotted dick. The showstopper asked the bakers to put their own spin on a classic Italian tiramisu; they had four and a half hours to complete this challenge.
Baker
Signature (8 Meringue Nests)
Technical (Spotted Dick)
Showstopper (Tiramisu)
Result
Christiaan
'Smell The Roses' Meringue Nests
3rd
'Memphis Milano' Tiramisu
Safe
Dylan
'Coconut Illusion' Meringue Nests
1st
'Concrete Box' Tiramisu
Star Baker
Georgie
'Aunty Meryl's' Plum Meringue Nests
2nd
'Old Italian' Tiramisu
Safe
Gill
'Just Peachy' Meringue Nests
4th
'Coconut Latte Charlotte Russe' Tiramisu
Safe
Illiyin
Piña Colada Meringue Nests
5th
'Jewelry Box' Tiramisu
Safe
Sumayah
'Pomegranate & Plenty More' Meringue Nests
6th
'Batik Mousse Cake' Tiramisu
Eliminated
Episode 8: The '70s (Quarterfinals)
In the quarterfinal, the five remaining bakers were given three retro challenges, taking them back to the 1970s. The signature required them to create a decorative stack of at least 30 profiteroles. The technical was Paul Hollywood's banoffee pie. Although the bakers were given ingredient measures, they did not have any instructions for how to make the pie. The showstopper challenge was to make a '70s-style tiered gateau.