The dozen bakers’ cake making prowess was put to the test in Show One of The Great British Bake Off, with some bakers performances as unevenly mixed as their dough.
In round one, the group were encouraged to be creative and make cupcakes.
Efforts ranged from the sublime, such as Jo’s lovingly crafted Chocolate and Orange and Orange and Cardamom cakes, to the outrageous – with Rob’s audacious liquorice and pernod combo branded “disgusting” by judge Paul.
However, Holly’s Cherry Bakewell and Ginger Cupcakes with homemade fig truffles went down a treat.
‘Your piping is perfect,’ swooned judge Mary.
In the second round, the technical challenge, bakers faced the daunting task of making one of Mary’s own recipes – a Coffee and Walnut Battenberg.
Holly came top of the class – “well trimmed,” blushed Mary excitedly – while Keith’s cake was voted the 12th best, out of 12.
In the final round, the bakers were asked to make a tiered celebration cake, the most eye-catching of which was Ben’s towering pink creation that matched the colour of his shirt.
Mary, however, said it needed “a bit more work on the sponge”.
The upshot was that Keith was booted off, while Holly was named star baker for the week.
“She could go far,” said Mary.