The Great British Bake Off series 10

The tenth series of The Great British Bake Off began on 27 August 2019.[1] It was presented by returning hosts Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig, and judged by returning judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith.[2]

The Great British Bake Off
Series 10
British digital release
Starring
No. of episodes10
Release
Original networkChannel 4
Original release27 August (2019-08-27) –
29 October 2019 (2019-10-29)
Series chronology
← Previous
Series 9
Next →
Series 11

The series was won by David Atherton, who became the first winner never to have won the Star Baker title since it was introduced. Alice Fevronia and Steph Blackwell finished as runners-up.[3] This series started with 13 bakers instead of the usual 12, which meant one episode featured a double elimination, as was previously done in the fourth series.[4]

Bakers

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Baker Age Occupation Hometown Links
Alice Fevronia 28 Geography teacher Essex [5][6]
Amelia Le Bruin 24 Fashion designer Halifax [7]
Dan Chambers 32 Support worker Rotherham
David Atherton 36 International health adviser Whitby [8][9]
Helena Garcia 40 Online project manager Leeds [10]
Henry Bird 20 Student Durham [11]
Jamie Finn 20 Part-time waiter Surrey [12]
Michael Chakraverty 26 Theatre manager/fitness instructor Stratford-upon-Avon [13]
Michelle Evans-Fecci 35 Print shop administrator Tenby, Wales [14]
Phil Thorne 56 HGV driver Rainham [15]
Priya O'Shea 34 Marketing consultant Leicester [16]
Rosie Brandreth-Poynter 28 Veterinary surgeon Somerset [17]
Steph Blackwell 28 Shop assistant Chester [18]

Results summary

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Elimination chart
Baker 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
David SAFE HIGH SAFE HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH LOW WINNER
Alice SAFE SB LOW SAFE SAFE HIGH SAFE SAFE SB Runner-up
Steph HIGH SAFE HIGH SB SB SB HIGH SB HIGH Runner-up
Rosie SAFE HIGH SAFE SAFE LOW LOW LOW LOW OUT
Henry SAFE SAFE LOW SAFE HIGH LOW SB OUT
Michael SAFE SAFE SB LOW SAFE LOW OUT
Priya SAFE SAFE SAFE LOW LOW OUT
Helena SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE OUT
Michelle SB SAFE SAFE SAFE OUT
Phil SAFE SAFE SAFE OUT
Amelia SAFE LOW OUT
Jamie LOW OUT
Dan OUT

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 was eliminated.
  Baker was the Star Baker.
  Baker was a series runner-up.
  Baker was the series winner.

Episodes

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Episode 1: Cake

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For the signature challenge, the bakers had to bake a fruit cake in the shape of their choice, with a significant amount of dried fruit, and lavish decoration in 2+12 hours. For the technical challenge set by Prue, the bakers had to bake six identical angel cake slices, with layers made of genoise sponge sandwiched with Italian meringue buttercream, topped with icing and feathered in 1+34 hours. For the showstopper challenge, the bakers baked the birthday cake they always dreamed of as a child in four hours.

Episode 2: Biscuits

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For the signature challenge this week, the bakers were tasked to make twelve decorated chocolate biscuit bars in 2+12 hours. For the technical challenge, Paul tasked a "controversial" bake that was his dad's favourite—twelve fig rolls which were identical in shape and size—in ninety minutes. For the showstopper, the bakers were asked to create a 3D biscuit sculpture in four hours.

Episode 3: Bread

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For this week's signature challenge, the bakers were asked to make a filled tear & share loaf from a yeasted dough in three hours. Paul's technical challenge required the bakers to make eight burger baps along with four veggie burgers to go inside half of them in over two hours. The showstopper challenge required the bakers to make a display of artistically scored decorative loaves (minimum of two loaves) in five hours.

Episode 4: Dairy

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For the signature challenge this week, Paul and Prue tasked the bakers with a Dairy Cake, but the cake mixture needed to contain a cultured dairy product, to be done in two hours and fifteen minutes. For the technical challenge, Prue asked the bakers to make a difficult bake that dated back to the Tudor times, twelve Maids of Honours, in two hours. For the showstopper challenge, the judges gave the bakers the task of making a display of milk-based Indian sweets known as Mishti, in 3+12 hours.

Episode 5: The Roaring Twenties

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For the signature challenge, the bakers had 2+12 hours to produce four custard pies which should be elaborately decorated with the theme of the 1920s. For the technical challenge set by Prue, the bakers faced the difficult task of deep-frying Choux pastry to produce eighteen Beignet soufflés filled with raspberry jam and served with a zabaglione, in 1+12 hours. For the showstopper challenge, the bakers were asked to create a cocktail theme cake, with at least two tiers, in memory of the prohibition era in the United States, in four hours.

Episode 6: Desserts

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For the signature challenge this week, the bakers were asked to make a layered meringue cake with a minimum of three layers and "large enough to share with friends" in two hours, forty-five minutes. For the technical challenge, Prue gave the bakers a particularly difficult task that tested the bakers' precision, six identical layered Verrines, in 2+12 hours. For the showstopper challenge, the bakers were tasked with an explosive bake, a Celebratory Bombe, in 4+12 hours.

Episode 7: Festivals

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For the signature challenge, the bakers were asked to make twenty-four buns with the theme of a festival or holiday from around the world in three hours. For the technical challenge, Paul tasked the bakers with a deep fried pastry treat traditionally served during the Italian Carnevale, twelve Sicilian Cassatelles, in one hour, fifteen minutes. For the showstopper challenge, the bakers were set with the complex task of making a kek lapis Sarawak, a traditional layered Malaysian cake, in four hours, fifteen minutes.

Episode 8: Pastry

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For the signature challenge, the bakers were tasked to do a savoury twist on a usually sweet French classic, Tarte Tatin, in 2+12 hours. For the technical challenge, the bakers were given the challenging task of recreating a Moroccan Pie made from warka pastry, also known as brik pastry, in 2+12 hours. For the showstopper challenge, the bakers were asked to create a vertical pie consisting of at least two separate pies in four hours.

Episode 9: Pâtisserie (Semifinal)

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For the signature challenge, the bakers had 2+12 hours to make eight identically decorated domed tarts. Prue's technical challenge was making a Gâteau Saint Honoré, a French classic involving both choux and puff pastry, plus a large amount of cream fillings, all in 3+12 hours. For the showstopper challenge, the bakers were given the difficult task of making a sugar glass display case, enclosing a display of pâtisserie or other lavish baked goods, in 4+12 hours.

Episode 10: Final

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For the final signature challenge, the remaining three bakers were given two hours to create the ultimate chocolate cake, that should be rich in chocolate and be beautifully decorated. For the final technical challenge, set by Paul, the bakers were given one hour, ten minutes to create six twice-baked Stilton Soufflés, each served with a lavash cracker. For the final showstopper challenge, the bakers were required to create a deceptive illusion picnic basket feast composed of cakes, biscuits and enriched breads that were presented to look like something else, in 4+12 hours. Unofficially, Alice could be considered the first runner up as Prue and Paul said it was between the two of them at the end.

Specials

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Two festive specials were commissioned during Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

The Great Christmas Bake Off

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The Great Christmas Bake Off featured Briony Williams and Terry Hartill from Series 9, along with Tom Hetherington and Yan Tsou from Series 8. The special was won by Briony Williams.[19]

The returning bakers were first asked to make 24 festive cake pops in the signature challenge. They then faced the technical challenge set by Paul, where they had to recreate a festive sausage roll wreath. For the festive showstopper challenge, the bakers were given the task of constructing a 3D gingerbread building, topped off with at least two different types of confectionery.

Baker Signature
(24 Cake Pops)
Technical
(Festive Sausage Roll Wreath)
Showstopper
(Gingerbread Building)
Result
Briony 'Festive Frolic' Pops 4th 'Santa's Train Station' Winner
Terry 'Christmas Carousel' Pops 3rd 'Christmas in New York' Runner-up
Tom 'Santa & Co Watch the Queen's Speech' Pops 1st 'Edinburgh Christmas' Runner-up
Yan 'A Very British Christmas' Pops 2nd ‘Follow the Yellow Brick Road House Runner-up

The Great Festive Bake Off

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The Great Festive Bake Off saw the cast of Derry Girls (Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Nicola Coughlan, Jamie-Lee O’Donnell, Dylan Llewellyn and Siobhan McSweeney) take on the three challenges on New Years Day.

Baker Signature
(Trifle)
Technical
(12 Blini)
Showstopper
(Decade Cake)
Result
Dylan White Chocolate, Raspberry, & Sherry Trifle 5th 1960s Camper Van Decade Cake Runner-up
Jamie-Lee Chocolate & Orange Trifle 4th 1930s Amelia Earhart Cake Runner-up
Nicola Strawberry & Rhubarb Trifle 3rd 1930s Cabaret Cake Runner-up
Saoirse-Monica Irish Cream Trifle 2nd Peace & Love 1960s Cake Winner
Siobhan Betsy's Trifle 1st 1980s Camping in Cork Cake Runner-up

Post-show careers

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David Atherton published a cookbook after winning the series.[20][21] Released in 2020, it is a children's cookbook titled My First Cookbook. Follow-up versions My First Green Cookbook and Bake, Make and Learn to Cook released in 2021.[22] In May 2021, Atherton released Good to Eat, which focuses on delivering healthy twists to classic recipes.[23]

Steph Blackwell contributed to The Big Book of Amazing Cakes, and published her own cookbook, The Joy of Baking, in 2021.[24][25]

Ratings

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The first episode drew an overnight audience of 5.7 million, down 400,000 from the previous series, but with a higher audience share in its time slot than the previous launch at 30.6%.[26][27] The overnight ratings for the final episode dropped by over half a million compared to the previous series with an average audience of 6.9 million viewers.[28]

Episode
no.
Airdate 7-day viewers
(millions)
28-day viewers
(millions)
Channel 4
weekly ranking
Weekly ranking
all channels[29]
1 27 August 2019 (2019-08-27) 9.62 10.03 1
2 3 September 2019 (2019-09-03) 9.38 9.80
3 10 September 2019 (2019-09-10) 8.94 9.42
4 17 September 2019 (2019-09-17) 8.96 9.49 1 2
5 24 September 2019 (2019-09-24) 9.26 9.64
6 1 October 2019 (2019-10-01) 8.70 9.19 3
7 8 October 2019 (2019-10-08) 8.98 9.42
8 15 October 2019 (2019-10-15) 9.19 9.48
9 22 October 2019 (2019-10-22) 9.34 9.67
10 29 October 2019 (2019-10-29) 10.05 10.21

Reception

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Michael Hogan of The Daily Telegraph criticised the series as "forgettable" and "dullest" out of the first ten series so far, attributing the show's move to Channel 4, casting "blandly millennial crop of contestants", and lack of diversity at the end, e.g. fewer contestants older than forty this series compared to prior nine series—two who were eliminated by the fifth week of the series. He further wrote:[30]

The final six were all white and middle-class. Three of the four semi-finalists were, uncannily, aged 28. Many viewers own cookbooks older than that.[30]

References

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  1. ^ "When does The Great British Bake Off 2019 start? Who are the contestants? Is there a trailer?". Radio Times. 17 August 2019.
  2. ^ Methven, Nicola (16 August 2019). "Bake Off's Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith on what series 10 has in store". Daily Mirror.
  3. ^ "The Great British Bake Off 2019: final – as it happened". Guardian. 29 October 2019. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  4. ^ Sutton, Megan (28 August 2019). "The Great British Bake Off announces big twist in first episode". Good Housekeeping.
  5. ^ Wehrstedt, Lisa (1 September 2019). "Who is Alice Fevronia from Bake Off? Meet the GBBO 2019 contestant and geography teacher". Radio Times.
  6. ^ "alice.fevronia". Instagram.
  7. ^ Wehrstedt, Lisa (1 September 2019). "Who is Amelia Le Bruin from Bake Off? Meet the GBBO 2019 contestant with a northern soul". Radio Times.
  8. ^ David Atherton [@nomadbakerdavid] (3 October 2019). "I requested Wikipedia to change mine and Amelia's hometown from London to our actual Northern hometowns. Amelias was changed but mine still says London. I'm from WHITBY Wikipedia!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  9. ^ "From volunteer nurse to Great British Bake Off winner: David Atherton". VSO International. 29 October 2019.
  10. ^ Wehrstedt, Lisa (3 September 2019). "Who is Helena Garcia from The Great British Bake Off? Meet the Spanish-born 2019 contestant". Radio Times.
  11. ^ Wehrstedt, Lisa (3 September 2019). "Who is Henry Bird from The Great British Bake Off? Meet the GBBO 2019 contestant and Durham student". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 30 October 2019. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  12. ^ "Jamie Finn: who is the Great British Bake Off 2019 contestant and part-time waiter?". iNews. 10 September 2019.
  13. ^ Wehrstedt, Lisa (1 September 2019). "Who is Michael Chakraverty on The Great British Bake Off 2019? How old is the theatre manager?". Radio Times.
  14. ^ Adams, Zoe (3 September 2019). "Who is Michelle Evans-Fecci on Bake Off? Contestant's husband, son and background revealed". Smooth Radio.
  15. ^ Wehrstedt, Lisa (27 August 2019). "Who is Phil Thorne on The Great British Bake Off? Meet the GBBO 2019 contestant and biker". Radio Times.
  16. ^ Wehrstedt, Lisa (27 August 2019). "Who is Priya O'Shea on The Great British Bake Off? Meet the future novelist and 2019 contestant". Radio Times.
  17. ^ Adams, Zoe (3 September 2019). "Who is Rosie Brandreth-Poynter on Bake Off? GBBO star's job, husband and Instagram revealed". Smooth Radio.
  18. ^ Wehrstedt, Lisa (1 September 2019). "Who is Steph Blackwell on The Great British Bake Off? Meet the contestant and her sourdough Sammy". Radio Times.
  19. ^ Deen, Sarah (25 December 2019). "The Great British Bake Off winner Briony Williams triumphs in tent a year on for the Christmas special". metro.co.uk.
  20. ^ "David Atherton". www.amazon.com. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  21. ^ Walsh, Grace (25 September 2020). "Great British Bake Off contestants: Where are they now?". GoodtoKnow. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  22. ^ "David Atherton". www.amazon.com. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  23. ^ "Hodder cooks up storm with 2019 'Bake Off' winner David Atherton | The Bookseller". www.thebookseller.com. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  24. ^ Chilton, Charlotte (11 December 2020). "Where Are Your Favorite 'Great British Bake Off' Contestants Now?". Delish. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  25. ^ Blackwell, Steph (27 November 2020). The Joy of Baking. ISBN 978-1-5294-1603-9.
  26. ^ Rosseinsky, Katie (28 August 2019). "Great British Bake Off launch episode loses 400,000 viewers". London Evening Standard.
  27. ^ "Great British Bake Off series launch sheds 400,000 viewers". BT TV. 28 August 2019.
  28. ^ Akingbad, Tobi (30 October 2019). "Great British Bake Off finale loses more than half a million viewers". Evening Standard.
  29. ^ "Four-screen dashboard". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  30. ^ a b Hogan, Michael (16 September 2020). "Channel 4 is risking another bland Bake Off with this cookie cutter line-up". Telegraph.co.uk. ProQuest 2443211907.