The Great British Bake Off (series 1)


The first series of The Great British Bake Off first aired on BBC Two on 17 August 2010. Ten home bakers took part in a bake-off to test every aspect of their baking skills as they battled to be crowned the Great British Bake Off's best amateur baker. Each week the nationwide tour saw bakers put through three challenges in a particular discipline, with some being eliminated from competition at the end of the episode. The rounds of the competition took place in various locations across the UK following a theme, for example, the episode on puddings would take place in Bakewell, bread baking would take place near Sandwich. This first series had a voiceover by Stephen Noonan; for the subsequent series this role was taken by the on-screen presenters Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins. The competition was won by Edd Kimber.

Bakers

BakerAgeOccupationHometown
Annetha Mills30MidwifeEssex
David Chambers31EntrepreneurMilton Keynes
Edward "Edd" Kimber24Debt collector for Yorkshire BankBradford
Jasminder Randhawa45Assistant Credit Control ManagerBirmingham
Jonathan Shepherd25Research AnalystSt Albans
Lea Harris51RetiredMidlothian, Scotland
Louise Brimelow44Police OfficerManchester
Mark Whithers48Bus DriverSouth Wales
Miranda Gore Browne37Food buyer for Marks & SpencerMidhurst, West Sussex
Ruth Clemens31Retail manager/HousewifePoynton, Cheshire

Results summary

Colour key:

Episodes

Episode 1: Cakes

For the first challenge, the bakers were instructed to bake any cake they want using their creativity within 3 hours. It has to be evenly baked, evenly risen, and moist. For the technical challenge, the bakers were to make a Victorian Sandwich using Mary Berry's recipe. For the final challenge, the showstopper challenge, the bakers were required to make a Chocolate Celebration Cake, with perfect execution, original ideas and their own flair.
Cotswolds
BakerSignature
Technical
Showstopper
AnnethaLight Jamaican Black Cake
with Strawberries and Cream		2ndRed, White & Blue Chocolate Cake with Cigarellos, Fresh Fruit, and Cream
DavidChocolate Orange Cake3rdBlack Forest Floor Gateaux with Moulded Chocolate Leaves, Fallen Fruit and Chocolate Mushrooms Moulded from eggs
EddCaramel Cinnamon and Banana Cake1st
JasminderFresh Mango and Passion Fruit Hummingbird Cake
JonathanCarrot Cake with Lime and Cream Cheese Icing9thThree Tiered White and Dark Chocolate with Almond and Cherry
LeaCranberry and Pistachio Cake
with Orange Flower Water Icing		10thRaspberries and Cream filled Chocolate
with Chocolate-dipped Fresh Fruit
LouiseCarrot and Orange CakeNever Fail Chocolate Sponge Cake,
with Fresh Fruit, White & Chocolate Cigarello Border
MarkSticky Marmalade Tea LoafHeart-shaped Chocolate and Beetroot Cake with Store-Bought silver chocolate hearts and chocolate red and white roses.
MirandaTriple Layered Brownie Meringue Cake
with Raspberry Cream		8thThree Tiered Chocolate Fudge Cake
with Handmade Chocolate Button Decorations
RuthThree Tiered Lemon Drizzle Cake
with Fresh Cream and freshly made Lemon Curd		Classic Chocolate Sponge wrapped in a Chocolate Collar topped with Handmade White and Dark Chocolate Truffles

Episode 2: Biscuits

For the signature bake, the bakers were asked to bake their Personality Biscuits within 2 hours. For the technical challenge, the bakers were asked to bake scones using Paul Hollywood's recipe within an hour. For the showstopper, the bakers were asked to bake Petit Fours; Meringues, Choux Pastry, and Macarons, within 4 hours.
Scone Palace, Perthshire
BakerSignature
Technical
Showstopper
AnnethaRose Petal Shortbread7thPink Swirl Macarons / Eclairs
DavidCheddar Cheese and Fresh Rosemary Biscuits8thChoux Pastry Swans
Chocolate Profiteroles
EddOatmeal Raisin Cookie6thPink Macarons
JasminderMillionaires' Shortbread2ndMeringues with Chocolate and Space Dust
Coffee flavoured Eclairs
JonathanHoney and Candied Ginger Cookies1stMeringues with Whiskey Cream
LouiseStained Glass Window Shortbread4thStrawberry, Mint, and Cream Meringues
Chocolate Eclairs / Orange, Yellow and Pink Macarons
MirandaFresh Vanilla Biscuits with Royal Icing3rdPistachio Macarons
RuthPeanut Shortbread with
Salted Peanut Caramel		5thAlmond Macaron with Violet Buttercream
Raspberries and Cream Eclairs

Episode 3: Bread

For their signature bake, the bakers were asked to bake their signature bread within 3 1/2 hours. For the technical challenge, the bakers were asked to bake a cob using Paul's recipe within 2 1/2 hours. For the showstopper, the bakers were asked to bake 12 sweet rolls and 12 savoury rolls. They can have at least 3 flavours and 6 hours.
Sarre Windmill, Kent
BakerSignature
Technical
Showstopper
DavidChilli Bread4thWalnut and Seed Roll
Red Berry and Almond Bun
EddOlive Bread1stTomato and Mozzarella
JasminderFocaccia5thMango and Sultana Buns
Pan au Chocolat with Mars Bars
Tutti Frutti Wheel with Jelly Tots
JonathanAnchovy, Sweet Paprika and Oregano Bread6thSticky Lemon Honey Bun
Olive and Anchovy Roll
Sundried Tomatoes and Fresh Herbs Roll
Stilton, Walnut and Apple Roll
Cinnamon and Cardamom Chelsea Bun
MirandaWalnut and Apricot Bread3rdLemon Iced Buns
Chocolate and Orange Buns
RuthMaple and Pecan Bread2ndChocolate and Orange Panettone
Cranberry Bagels

Episode 4: Puddings

For the first challenge, the bakers were asked to bake their own classic pudding, steamed or baked. They had 2 1/2 hours. For the technical challenge, the bakers were asked to bake a lemon souffle using Mary's recipe within 40 minutes. The bakers started to bake at different time intervals. For the showstopper, the bakers were asked to bake 3 puddings: crumble, bread, and suet, in 5 hours.
Bakewell, Derbyshire
BakerSignature
Technical
Showstopper
DavidPear and Walnut Pudding5thApple and Blackberry Crumble, Rhubarb and Orange Betty, Suet Pear
EddApple and Plum Pudding3rdApple and Cinnamon Crumble, Nutella Banana Brioche Bread Pudding, Rhubarb and Strawberry Suet Layer
JasminderSticky Toffee Pudding with Tropical Fruit & Toffee Sauce2ndBread & Butter Pudding, Treacle Suet Pudding with Fresh Fruit, Apple and Pineapple Crumble
MirandaSticky Toffee Pudding1stQueen of Puddings, Chocolate Pear Roly Poly, Strawberry and Rhubarb Crumble
RuthPeach and Blueberry Boy Bait4thApple & Ginger Crumble, Rhubarb Suet Crust, Cherry Queen of Puddings

Episode 5: Pastry

For the signature challenge, the bakers were asked to bake a savoury pie in 2 1/2 hours. For the technical challenge, the bakers were asked to bake 4 Cornish pasties in 1 1/2 hours. For the showstopper, the bakers were asked to bake 2 pastry platters; savory and sweet tartlets, in 5 hours.
Mousehole, Cornwall
BakerSignature
Technical
Showstopper
EddChicken, Ham, Leek and Tarragon Pie2ndAlmond Sweet Pastry with Ginger and Chocolate
Raspberry Tart / Yorkshire Curd Tart
Chickpea and Salami, Red and Yellow Pepper,
Asparagus Gruyere Quiche Canapés
JasminderChicken and Mushroom Pie4thJaggery, Carrot, and Spiced Condensed Milk Tart
Fruit and Custard Tart
Thai Chili Red Onion, Duck in Plum Sauce, Salmon and Prawn Canapés
MirandaSummery Salmon, Cod and Prawn Fish Pie1stChocolate Pastry filled with Orange Cheesecake
Chocolate Pastry filled with Milk Chocolate Ganache
Strawberry Tart with Red Currant Glaze
Cheesy Crab, Broad Bean and Tomato, Pancetta Risotto Canapés
RuthMinced Beef Pie3rdRaspberry and Dark Chocolate Tart
Creme Patisserie and Cherry Tart
Citrus Curd Tart with Creme Brulee Top
Tomato, Asparagus Twirl Canapés

Episode 6: Tea Party (Final)

In the final, a baker was eliminated after the first bake, and only two bakers competed in the final day. For the first challenge, the 3 finalists were asked to bake 24 miniature cake in 2 1/2 hours. For the final challenge, the 2 finalists were asked to bake 24 miniature tarts, 24 scones, 24 choux buns, and 24 finger sandwiches in 5 hours.
Fulham Palace, London
BakerSignature
Showstopper
EddCinnamon and Banana CakeChocolate and Ginger Tarts
Lemon Scones with Passion Fruit Curd
Raspberry Choux Buns
Finger Sandwiches
MirandaLemon CupcakeN/A
RuthMint, Ginger and Blackberry CakeRed Pepper and Cheese Quiche Tarts
Sultana Scones
Vanilla and Lemon Choux Buns
Finger Sandwiches

It took the judges nearly five hours to determine whom to eliminate, and had to look back at their performances over the series as a whole to make a decision. The idea of eliminating a contestant in the final was dropped from future series.

Post-show career

After winning the competition, Edd Kimber is able to make his living from baking. He worked in the pastry kitchen at Raymond Blanc's restaurant Le Manoir. He has written three books on baking, The Boy Who Bakes, Say It With Cake, and Patisserie Made Simple: From Macaron to Millefeuille and More. He has taught macaron making classes in London, run a pop-up bakery in Fortnum & Mason, and appeared as a 'resident baker' on The Alan Titchmarsh Show.
Ruth Clemens has written a number of books on cake making and baking, including Busy Girls Guide to Cake Decorating, The Pink Whisk Guide to Cake Making, The Pink Whisk Guide to Baking and Creative Éclairs.
Miranda Gore Browne wrote a book, Biscuit, published on 5 April 2012. Her second book Bake Me a Cake as Fast as You Can was published in August 2014.
Jonathan Shepherd left his job in the pharmaceutical company and launched a new business, The Pudding Stop, in St Albans. It started as a portable street-food vendor and a supplier of puddings to restaurants. Shepherd has since also opened a shop, also in St Albans.
Mark Whithers, who was eliminated in Episode 1, died on 11 May 2013 after suffering from cancer.

The Great British Wedding Cake

In this one-off special edition on the series, the three finalists from series one returned once more. Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry set them the ultimate challenge, to make and bake two spectacular Wedding Cakes each in just 16 hours, one being traditional and the other contemporary.
Paul and Mary explore the history of the Great British Wedding Cake, looking at the dramatic changes through the eras; from the Tudors and the Victorians, wartime Britain and the eighties to the present day.
Although Paul and Mary judged the results, no individual winner was declared.

Ratings

Official episode viewing figures are from BARB.
Episode
no.		AirdateViewers
BBC Two
weekly ranking
12.247
23.003
33.002
42.604
53.031
62.751

Specials