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2 years ago
You can catch up with Series 14 on Channel 4
It’s nearly that time of year again, when a group of amateur bakers gathers in a big white tent in the middle of the UK countryside to make biscuits, breads and puddings. We’re talking about the Great British Bake Off, of course. The show is coming back for its fourteenth series very soon, and we’re ready to follow along the highs and lows of Chocolate Week (always filmed during a heat wave), Bread Week (always overseen by a very stern Paul Hollywood) and Pastry Week (always with witness to a meltdown or two). Here’s everything you need to know, from airing dates and host change-ups to where you can watch the show.
Following the final, shown on 28 November 2023, baker Matty Edgell was crown the winner of series 14 of The Great British Bake Off. Speaking on his win, the Cambridgeshire-based PE teach said: ‘I don’t know what to say, everyone said “you should go on Bake Off” and I thought it was a throwaway comment and never really listened to it… There have been so many ups and so many down. So many times when I had to be pulled through by the people closest to me. I cannot imagine I have been that much fun to live within the last 10 weeks. I am happy for them as much as I am for me. It still doesn’t feel real.
‘It was quite a tough final,’ he added. ‘We were all aware of how close we were in baking skills. Dan and Josh were great to have as fellow finalists, but it was a shock for everybody when Tasha went at the semi-final. She was such a good baker and equally such a lovely person, we were all so sorry to see her go.’
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Congratulating Matty on his win, judge Prue Leith said: ‘I have never met a more cheerful, smiling uncomplaining and willing baker. He was just having such a good time, learning as much as he could, taking on board everything either of us said.’
Congratulations Matty!
In the UK, episodes of The Great British Bake Off airs on Channel 4, with episodes available to watch on catch-up after they’ve aired. You can stream previous episodes on channel4.com.
US audiences, meanwhile, will be able to catch the show (dubbed The Great British Baking Show across the pond) on Netflix. Previous seasons are already available to watch on the platform too. netflix.com
Following some backlash, the national-themed weeks were scrapped for series 14. In 2022, there was a Mexican Week, and the previous year there was German week, but this led to complaints of cultural appropriation. Speaking to The Guardian, executive producer Kieran Smith said this year’s competition would be ‘very traditional’, adding: ‘we’re not doing any national themes this year’. Instead, the show will focus on all the classics: cakes, biscuits, bread, patisserie and chocolate – plus new themes of party food and botanicals.
When? 28 November 2023
It’s finally time: we’ve come to the last episode of this year’s instalment of Bake Off, and only one baker can come out on top. ‘The finalists make a pastry Signature, a sticky Technical and a showstopping celebration cake,’ says Channel 4. ‘Whose choux will see them through to be crowned Bake Off 2023 winner?’
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When? 21 November 2023
This week it’s the semi-final, so we can expect more tricky challenges for our bakers – especially since this week’s theme is all things patisserie. As Channel 4 summarises: ‘It’s the semi-final and the bakers make elegant, buttery patisserie and a puff pastry layered cake. Who will achieve complete and butter perfection to make it to the final?
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When? 14 November 2023
We’re nearing the end of this year’s Bake Off instalment, and the bakers are getting ready to celebrate the season with this week’s theme: party food. As Channel 4 highlights: ‘It’s Party Week and the bakers have a ball with a sausage roll and make an ‘anything-but-beige’ buffet. Who will put on a semi-finals-worthy spread and who will be a party pooper?’
When? 7 November 2023
Wait… Isn’t this whole show about desserts? Not so, apparently. Week Seven of Bake Off will see creams, mousses, sauces and meringue’s shine through. Channel 4 summarises, ‘It’s Dessert Week and the bakers take on a retro crème caramel, a classic treacle sponge and a showstopping meringue bomb. Who will peak and who’ll wobble?’
Feeling inspired? Try one of these tasty cake recipes here.
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When? 31 October 2023
It’s a Bake Off first this week, as the bakers take on botanicals. As Channel 4 sums up, ‘The bakers tackle a spice-filled Signature, herby Technical and a showstopping floral dessert. Who will blossom, and whose thyme is up?’
Follow along at home using one of the recipes in our archives, here.
When? 24 October 2023
Swapping chocolate for pastries this week, ‘the bakers tackle savoury picnic pies and a classic French rough puff pastry, before creating showstopping decorative sweet pies. Who has the upper crust?’
Put your pastry skills to the test with this homemade Melton Mowbray pork pie recipe.
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When? 18 October 2023
Showing at a later date of Wednesday this week, the fourth instalment of the season will revolve around chocolate-themed challenges. This time, ‘the bakers take on a tricky torte and a showstopping chocolate box. Who can smoothly make it through to the next week, and who’ll have a meltdown?’
Calling out to you sweet tooth? Satiate any cravings with these fantastic London-based chocolate shops.
When? 10 October 2023
The next episode is a favourite for Paul Hollywood, as bread week finally rolls around. As Channel 4 outlines, ‘The bakers make a classic loaf and head to Devon for the Technical. Whose plaited centrepiece will get the Breadmaster himself, Paul Hollywood, in a twist?’
Home bakers can get in on the action with these easy bread recipes.
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When? 3 October 2023
Next up: biscuits. A quick look at the episode synopsis reveals that bakers will get ‘stuck into a marshmallow Signature and a custard classic, and make their favourite meal out of biscuits in an illusion-themed Showstopper.’
Fancy yourself a biscuit baker? Get stuck in with these biscuity bakes (or save yourself the trouble and buy the best in London).
When? 26 September 2023
As is tradition, the series will kick off with cakes. The synopsis says: ‘the new bakers make vertical layers, choccy cake and a showstopping sponge animal menagerie.’
Feeling inspired? Try one of these tasty cake recipes here.
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There are 12 contestants on this series of Bake Off. Here’s the full list of contestants who took part in series 14:
The Great British Bake Off returned on Tuesday 26 September 2023. As per the trend set by previous series’, episodes air at 8pm every Tuesday on Channel 4.
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While it was confirmed that comedian Noel Fielding would be returning to the show, his co-host Matt Lucas has left to pursue other projects (we last heard he had a role in the upcoming Wonka film, which comes out later this year). TV personality – and all-round hosting legend – Alison Hammond stepped in as a brand new host for 2023, so it’s not all bad. She announced she would be joining the GBBO crew back in March 2023 on Instagram, saying: ‘It’s OFFICIAL!!! It’s happening The Great British Bake off! Let’s have it!’
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The usual suspects, Dame Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood, will be returning as judges.
Yes, the official trailer dropped in August 2023, giving us a first look at Alison Hammond in her new presenting role.
Filming for each Bake Off series typically takes place during the summer, a couple of months before episodes officially air. For the full low-down on where the baking challenges are filmed – aka, the location of the iconic GBBO tent – see our article here.
The most recent winner of GBBO is Syabira Yusoff. An amateur baker from London, Syabira said of the win: ‘Thank you so much. I can’t believe it. Honestly, it hasn’t sunk in yet, this is the biggest achievement in my life. All the hard work, all the trial and error, it has all been worth it. I am very very proud.’ See the full list of winners, since 2010, below:
Featured image: Channel 4 / Love Productions / Mark Bourdillon
