Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Great British Bake Off 2013: Meet the contestants

 

Heather Saul
Tuesday 13 August 2013 11:54 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood are preparing to put 13 new contestants to the test in the new series of The Great British Bake Off.

Click here to see the contestants

The first episode, to be aired on Tuesday, will see Mary and Paul expel two contestants, leaving 11 hoping to replicate the success of last year's winner John Waite, who has released two cookery books since claiming victory and tours around the country.

This year's contestants include 30-year-old Toby, a web programmer who brings "a sense of organised chaos into his baking", and Deborah, a 51-year-old dentist who discovered a passion for baking during her Domestic Sciences class.

Kimberley, 30, is a psychologist who creates food that "tells a story" such as 'peace' bread representing flavours from "conflict religions around the world".

Ex graphic designer Howard, 51, now works for the council. He says his food ranges from "traditional comfort food to the outrageously elaborate".

Great British Bake Off contestant Toby
Great British Bake Off contestant Toby (BBC/Love Productions)
Great British Bake Off contestant Kimberley
Great British Bake Off contestant Kimberley (BBC/Love Productions)

Christine, 66, has the most baking experience among the others with 60 years under her belt and was taught to bake by her mother and both grandmothers.

Great British Bake Off contestant Rob
Great British Bake Off contestant Rob (BBC/Love Productions)
Great British Bake Off contestant Christine,
Great British Bake Off contestant Christine, (BBC/Love Productions)

The competition will continue for ten weeks before one is crowned champion in the bake-off tent. The hopefuls will be asked to produce a sandwich cake as their first task. Those who progress to the second round will then be expected to produce an Angel Food Cake as part of Mary's technical challenge.

In the Showstopper challenge, the amateur bakers will be expected to impress judges by creating something using chocolate.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in