Attention all star bakers! It’s time to embrace the deliciousness and excitement of The Great British Baking Show. This delightful show has been warming hearts since 2010 and skyrocketed to fame when it joined forces with Netflix in its fifth season. Prepare for a mouthwatering journey filled with camaraderie, clever hosts, and discerning judges.
If you’re new to the show, let me give you a sneak peek. A group of talented home bakers, usually around a dozen, compete for the ultimate champion title. Each episode brings three thrilling challenges – the signature, technical, and showstopper. Forget about cash prizes! The winner receives a prestigious cake stand, loads of pride, and the possibility of future book deals or even a TV show.
In this captivating list, we’ll rank all the seasons of The Great British Baking Show, including some hidden gems not on Netflix. However, we’ll leave out the holiday specials and celebrity editions. So, get ready to root for your favorite batch of bakers and keep an eye on Paul Hollywood’s legendary handshakes, which seem to grow more generous as the seasons unfold. Rest assured, no spoilers await you here!
1. GBBO – Season 6
The sixth season of The Great British Baking Show premiered on August 5, 2015, and consisted of 10 episodes. The opening episode of this season experienced a significant increase in viewership, with 2 million more viewers compared to the previous year.
The winner of season 6 of The Great British Baking Show achieved great success following their victory, as they went on to host their own show and authored multiple books.
Let’s take a look at the contestants who participated in season 6 of The Great British Baking Show:
– Alvin Magallanes, a 37-year-old nurse
– Dorret Conway, a 53-year-old accountant
– Flora Shedden, a 19-year-old art gallery assistant
– Ian Cumming, a 41-year-old travel photographer
– Marie Campbell, a 66-year-old retiree
– Mat Riley, a 37-year-old firefighter
– Nadiya Hussain, a 30-year-old full-time mother
– Paul Jagger, a 49-year-old prison governor
– Sandy Docherty, a 49-year-old child welfare officer
– Stu Henshall, a 35-year-old professional musician
– Tamal Ray, a 29-year-old trainee anesthetist
– Ugnė Bubnaityte, a 32-year-old PA and administrator
Some of the tastiest bakes from season 6 include Ian’s Pomegranate Two Ways Crème Brûlées signature, Mat’s Piña Colada Frangipane Tart signature, and Nadiya’s (Chocolate) Peacock in Nan’s Door showstopper.
Throughout the season, the esteemed judge Paul Hollywood awarded three Hollywood Handshakes, which were given out in episodes 3, 7, and 9.
2. GBBO – Season 2
The second season of The Great British Baking Show premiered on August 14, 2011, and it consists of 8 episodes. In this season, the concept of the “Star Baker” was introduced.
The winner of The Great British Baking Show season 2 had great success after the show and went on to write multiple best-selling books on baking.
Let’s take a look at the contestants of The Great British Baking Show season 2:
– Ben Frazer, a 31-year-old graphic designer.
– Holly Bell, a 31-year-old advertising executive.
– Ian Vallance, a 40-year-old fundraiser for English Heritage.
– Janet Basu, a 63-year-old teacher of modern languages.
– Jason White, a 19-year-old civil engineering student.
– Joanne “Jo” Wheatley, a 41-year-old housewife.
– Keith Batsford, a 31-year-old house husband.
– Mary-Anne Boermans, a 45-year-old housewife.
– Robert Billington, a 25-year-old photographer.
– Simon Blackwell, a 31-year-old rugby coach.
– Urvashi Roe, a 40-year-old head of marketing.
– Yasmin Limbert, a 43-year-old childminder.
Some of the tastiest bakes from Season 2 include Holly’s Novelty Farm Cake showstopper, Yasmin’s Egyptian Dukkah Loaf with Mixed Spices signature, and Jo’s Rum and Raisin Baked Cheesecake signature.
It’s worth mentioning that no Hollywood Handshakes were given out during this season.
3. GBBO – Season 3
The third season of The Great British Baking Show premiered on August 14, 2012, and consists of 10 episodes. The filming took place at Harptree Court in Somerset.
The winner of season 3 of The Great British Baking Show decided to pursue baking professionally, opening a chocolate shop and cookery school, and leaving behind their original career.
Here are the contestants of season 3 of The Great British Baking Show:
– Brendan Lynch, a 63-year-old recruitment consultant
– Cathryn Dresser, a 27-year-old shop assistant
– Danny Bryden, a 21-year-old medical student
– John Whaite, a 22-year-old law student
– Manisha Parmar, a 27-year-old nursery nurse
– Natasha Stringer, a 36-year-old midwife
– Peter Maloney, a 43-year-old sales manager
– Ryan Chong, a 38-year-old photographer
– Sarah-Jane Willis, a 28-year-old vicar’s wife
– Stuart Marston-Smith, a 26-year-old PE teacher
– Victoria Chester, a 50-year-old CEO of the charity Plantlife
Some of the tastiest bakes from Season 3 include James’s Rose, Lychee, and Raspberry Fruit Tart showstopper, Brendan’s Clementine and Chestnut Torte signature, and Ryan’s Curry Spiced Seabass Wellington signature.
During the season, only one Hollywood Handshake was given out, which occurred in Episode 7.
4. GBBO – Season 4
The fourth season of The Great British Baking Show aired on August 20, 2013, and consisted of 10 episodes. The show received a staggering 13,000 applicants, which highlights its growing popularity.
The winner of season 4 of The Great British Baking Show went on to write a cookbook, showcasing their exceptional baking skills.
Let’s take a look at the talented contestants who participated in season 4:
– Ali Imdad, a 25-year-old charity worker
– Beca Lyne-Pirkis, a 31-year-old Military Wives’ Choir singer
– Christine Wallace, a 66-year-old director of an engraving company
– Deborah Manger, a 51-year-old dentist
– Frances Quinn, a 31-year-old children’s clothes designer
– Glenn Cosby, a 37-year-old English teacher
– Howard Middleton, a 51-year-old council worker
– Kimberley Wilson, a 30-year-old psychologist
– Lucy Bellamy, a 38-year-old horticulturist
– Mark Onley, a 37-year-old carpenter and kitchen fitter
– Robert Smart, a 54-year-old space satellite designer
– Ruby Tandoh, a 20-year-old history of art and philosophy student
– Toby Waterworth, a 30-year-old web programmer
Season 4 treated us to some mouthwatering bakes, but a few standouts deserve a special mention:
– Kimberley’s Pecan and Rosemary Caramel Apple Pie signature bake
– Frances’s Figgy Roll-y Poly Pudding with Caramelized Walnut and Honey Ice-Cream signature bake
– Ruby’s Citrus Tea Loaf signature bake
We can’t forget the coveted Hollywood Handshakes, which were only given out once in season 4, during Episode 9.
5. GBBO – Season 1
The first season of The Great British Baking Show premiered on August 17, 2010 and consists of 6 episodes. This season introduces Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins as the presenting duo.
The winner of The Great British Baking Show season 1 went on to work at Raymond Blanc’s restaurant Le Manoir.
The contestants of The Great British Baking Show season 1 were Annetha Mills (Midwife, 30), David Chambers (Entrepreneur, 31), Edward “Edd” Kimber (Debt collector for Yorkshire Bank, 24), Jasminder “Jas” Randhawa (Assistant Credit Control Manager, 45), Jonathan Shepherd (Research Analyst, 25), Lea Harris (Retired, 51), Louise Brimelow (Police Officer, 44), Mark Whithers (Bus Driver, 48), Miranda Gore Browne (Food buyer for Marks & Spencer, 37), and Ruth Clemens (Retail manager/Housewife, 31).
Some of the tastiest bakes from Season 1 include Edd’s Caramel Cinnamon and Banana Cake signature, Jonathan’s Meringues with Whiskey Cream and Chocolate showstopper, and Miranda’s Summery Salmon, Cod and Prawn Fish Pie signature.
No Hollywood Handshakes were given out during this season.
6. GBBO – Season 7
The seventh season of The Great British Baking Show premiered on August 24, 2016 and consisted of 10 episodes. This season marked the end of its run on BBC One and also saw the departure of Sue Perkins, Mel Giedroyc, and Mary Berry.
The winner of season 7 of The Great British Baking Show went on to participate in other competition shows such as Dancing on Ice and Celebrity Mastermind.
Here are the contestants from season 7:
– Andrew Smyth, a 25-year-old aerospace engineer
– Benjamina Ebuehi, a 23-year-old teaching assistant
– Candice Brown, a 31-year-old PE teacher
– Jane Beedle, a 61-year-old garden designer
– Kate Barmby, a 37-year-old nurse
– Lee Banfield, a 67-year-old pastor
– Louise Williams, a 46-year-old hairdresser
– Michael Georgiou, a 20-year-old student
– Rav Bansal, a 28-year-old student support worker
– Selasi Gbormittah, a 30-year-old client service associate
– Tom Gilliford, a 26-year-old project engagement manager
– Valerie “Val” Stones, a 66-year-old semi-retired substitute teacher
Some of the tastiest bakes from season 7 include:
– Candice’s Salted Caramel, Chocolate Iced Shiny Hearts signature bake
– Tom’s Chocolate Orange and Chilli Swirl Bread signature bake
– Andrew’s Childhood Ice Cream Mousse Cakes showstopper
Throughout the season, Paul Hollywood gave out four Hollywood Handshakes, which occurred in episodes 2, 4, and 10.
7. GBBO – Season 5
The fifth season of The Great British Baking Show premiered on August 6, 2014, with 10 episodes. Alongside the main show, comedian Jo Brand hosted a companion series called The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice.
One notable winner from season 5 of The Great British Baking Show has gone on to release books, including one focused on making your home more eco-friendly.
Let’s meet the contestants from season 5:
– Chetna Makan, a 35-year-old fashion designer.
– Claire Goodwin, a 31-year-old speech therapist.
– Diana Beard, a 69-year-old Women’s Institute (WI) judge.
– Enwezor Nzegwu, a 39-year-old business consultant.
– Iain Watters, a 31-year-old construction engineer.
– Jordan Cox, a 32-year-old IT manager.
– Kate Henry, a 41-year-old furniture restorer.
– Luis Troyano, a 42-year-old graphic designer.
– Martha Collison, a 17-year-old student.
– Nancy Birtwhistle, a 60-year-old retired practice manager.
– Norman Calder, a 66-year-old retired naval officer.
– Richard Burr, a 38-year-old builder.
Now, let’s talk about some of the tastiest bakes from Season 5:
– Nancy’s Coffee and Hazelnut Swiss Roll signature bake.
– Richard’s Tiramisu Baked Alaska showstopper.
– Chetna’s Orange Savarin with Cinnamon Cream signature bake.
Throughout the season, two Hollywood Handshakes were given out, specifically in Episodes 2 and 3.
8. GBBO – Season 9
The ninth season of The Great British Baking Show premiered on August 28, 2018, and consists of 10 episodes. This season introduced a new challenge where the contestants had to complete a technical outside of the tent for the very first time.
The winner of The Great British Baking Show season 9 went on to become a columnist for the New York Times.
Here are the contestants of The Great British Baking Show season 9:
– Antony Amourdoux, a 30-year-old banker
– Briony Williams, a 33-year-old stay-at-home parent
– Dan Beasley-Harling, a 36-year-old stay-at-home parent
– Imelda McCarron, a 33-year-old countryside recreation officer
– Jon Jenkins, a 47-year-old blood courier
– Karen Wright, a 60-year-old in-store sampling assistant
– Kim-Joy Hewlett, a 27-year-old mental health specialist
– Luke Thompson, a 30-year-old civil servant/house and techno DJ
– Manon Lagrève, a 26-year-old software project manager
– Rahul Mandal, a 30-year-old research scientist
– Ruby Bhogal, a 29-year-old project manager
– Terry Hartill, a 56-year-old retired air steward
Some of the tastiest bakes from Season 9 include Manon’s Matcha and White Chocolate Ganache Japanese Selfie showstopper, Rahul’s Lemon and Cardamom Traybake signature, and Kim-Joy’s Stem Ginger Cake with Poached Pears signature.
Throughout the season, a total of TWELVE Hollywood Handshakes were given out, spanning episodes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.
9. GBBO – Season 12
The twelfth season of The Great British Baking Show premiered on September 21, 2021, and it consisted of 10 episodes. What made this season special was the inclusion of the show’s first vegan contestant.
The winner of season 12 of The Great British Baking Show achieved a great milestone by releasing their very own cookbook.
Let’s take a look at the amazing contestants who participated in season 12:
– Amanda Georgiou, a 56-year-old Metropolitan Police detective.
– Chigs Parmar, a 40-year-old sales manager.
– Crystelle Pereira, a 26-year-old client relationship manager.
– Freya Cox, a 19-year-old student.
– George Aristidou, a 34-year-old shared lives coordinator.
– Giuseppe Dell’Anno, a 45-year-old chief engineer.
– Jairzinho Parris, a 51-year-old head of finance.
– Jürgen Krauss, a 56-year-old physicist.
– Lizzie Acker, a 28-year-old car production operative.
– Maggie, a 70-year-old retired nurse and midwife.
– Rochica, a 27-year-old junior HR business partner.
– Tom Fletcher, a 28-year-old software developer.
Some of the tastiest bakes from season 12 that we can’t forget to mention are:
– Jürgen’s “A Cup of Chai” Brandy Snaps signature bake.
– Guiseppe’s Amarena Cherry Cake showstopper.
– Chigs’s Gluten-free Red Velvet Cake showstopper.
Throughout the season, there were a total of SEVEN Hollywood Handshakes given out, which happened in episodes 3, 4, 5, 6, and 9.
10. GBBO – Season 8
The eighth season of The Great British Baking Show premiered on August 29, 2017 and consists of 10 episodes. This season introduces new hosts Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig, as well as new judge Prue Leith.
One interesting fact about the winner of The Great British Baking Show season 8 is that they went on to open their own business selling cakes.
Let’s take a look at the contestants from season 8 of The Great British Baking Show:
– Chris Geiger, a 50-year-old software developer
– Flo Atkins, a 71-year-old retiree
– James Hillery, a 46-year-old banker
– Julia Chernogorova, a 21-year-old aviation broker
– Kate Lyon, a 29-year-old health and safety inspector
– Liam Charles, a 19-year-old student
– Peter Abatan, a 52-year-old IT program manager
– Sophie Faldo, a 33-year-old former army officer and trainee stuntwoman
– Stacey Hart, a 42-year-old former school teacher
– Steven Carter-Bailey, a 34-year-old marketer
– Tom Hetherington, a 29-year-old architect
– Chuen-Yan “Yan” Tsou, a 46-year-old laboratory research scientist
Some of the tastiest bakes from Season 8 include Steven’s Amarpressi Biscuits signature, Julia’s “The Snail Under a Mushroom” Bread Sculpture showstopper, and Kate’s Salted Bay Caramel Millionaire Shortbreads signature.
Throughout the season, a total of seven Hollywood Handshakes were given out, occurring in episodes 1, 4, 5, and 8.