The Great British Bake Off has become somewhat of a staple in the viewing habits of many households in the UK over the past few years, and anticipation for the new series has been high.
It is set to return to our screens on Channel 4 on Tuesday, September 13 and with it beginning just over a week from now, the 12 bakers for the programme have been revealed.
Ranging from a supermarket cashier to a nuclear scientist, the eclectic group will be put through their paces in numerous baking challenges over the weeks.
Here's a breakdown of who will be taking part in the 2022 series of The Great British Bake Off.
Say hello to the class of 2022.
— British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) September 1, 2022
The new series of The Great British Bake Off starts Tuesday 13th September at 8pm on @Channel4. #GBBO pic.twitter.com/tR0BoVreqf
Great British Bake Off 2022 contestants
Abdul, 29
Abdul is an Electronic Engineer from London and was raised in Saudi Arabia to Pakistani parents.
He is a keen salsa dancer and has a passion for all things to with space.
An interest in baking sprung from when he and his graduate colleagues baked for each other as a way of brightening up their daily coffee breaks.
Matcha is among his favvourite flavours and he has a precise way of approaching his bakes.
Carole, 59
Carole is a Supermarket Cashier and lives on a Dorset hillside with her husband, Michael.
Aside from her interest in baking she loves gardening, so much to the fact that she has a segment on her local radio show called 'Compost Carole' where she gives out tips.
Her foray into baking began when she made a first birthday cake for her eldest granddaughter Maisie and she has since refined her skills, even using YouTube videos to teach herself some techniques.
She enjoys incorporating fruity and punchy flavours into her baking.
Dawn, 60
Dawn is an IT manager from Bedfordshire, who lives there with her partner Trevor and is mother to three, step-mother to two, and gran/step-gran to four.
She loves the challenge of an illusion cake as a way of incorporating her creative talent into intricate designs.
Skills that might come in handy in the Bake Off tent include a steady hand and attention to detail, especially when it comes to the intricacy required for lace patterns on biscuits.
Her favourite flavours are lemon, salted caramel and anything nutty.
James, 25
James is a Nuclear Scientist from Cumbria, who grew up in the east-end of Glasgow and moved to England after university.
He is a self-proclaimed board-game geek and loves horror films from the 70s and 80s.
James enjoys the technical side of baking, but is in his element when he makes his bakes his own, with his signature ‘child-friendly horror ’style and adorable decoration.
His favourite flavours are anything autumnal, such as mixed spice, apples and caramel.
In knead of some good news? Here’s a little something…
— British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) August 31, 2022
The Great British Bake Off is back on your screens on Tuesday 13th September at 8pm! 😃 #GBBO pic.twitter.com/VK0IDNus21
Janusz, 34
Janusz is a Personal Assistant to a Head Teacher from East Sussex, who moved to the UK 10 years ago from Poland.
He lives with his boyfriend Simon and their sausage dog, Nigel.
Outside of baking his passions include internet culture, watching drag and collecting movie props.
He was inspired to bake by his mother, who always baked on a Saturday; a tradition Janusz continued when he moved away from home to go to university.
He describes his baking style as ‘cartoon-like, colourful and camp’, and loves working Polish ingredients into British staples. His favourite flavours are ginger and chocolate.
Kevin, 33
Kevin is a Music Teacher from Lanarkshire and he is devoted to spending as much time possible with his wife Rachel, his siblings and their partners.
A talented musician, who not only teaches but also performs, Kevin is principally a saxophonist, but is accomplished at the flute, the piano and the clarinet too.
He began baking when he was 17 and his ethos in the kitchen is to use the best, seasonal ingredients and to spend time refining his technique.
He loves interesting combinations of fruits, herbs, nuts and spices.
Maisam, 18
Maisam is a Student & Sales Assistant from Greater Manchester who is also the youngest contestant on the programme this year.
Originally from Libya, Maisam has lived in the UK since she was nine. She speaks five languages (English, Arabic, Amazigh, Spanish and Turkish) and aims to make that seven by the time she turns 20.
She has been baking since she was 13 years old and often spends multiple attempts trying to get the perfect bake.
Her favourite flavours are inspired by her Mediterranean heritage – she loves the tang of olives, the sweetness of dates and the nuttiness of sesame seeds.
Maxy, 29
Swedish-born Maxy is an Architectural Assistant from London who has achieved a Masters degree in the subject.
She has very much made her flat her own, going from laying the flooring and resurfacing the balcony to painting the walls and hanging her own artwork.
Maxy began baking five years ago, with the arrival of her first daughter, and uses her strong artistic skills to create beautifully decorated celebration cakes.
Her favourite flavours link to her Scandinavian upbringing – the sweet and delicate spice of cardamom and saffron buns and cinnamon rolls.
Rebs, 23
Rebs is a Masters Student from County Antrim, and loves everything to do with Irish culture, which has lead her to knowing Irish dance and being able to play the tine whistle.
Her earliest baking memory is of being a child, aged only three years old, helping her mum in the kitchen, and of eating her granny’s renowned lemon meringue pies.
More recently, she returned to baking as a way to unwind from the stress of a busy life in the tech world.
Flavour is paramount for her, and she has more recently started to play around with Middle Eastern ingredients – in a nod to her boyfriend, Jack’s Turkish family heritage.
Sandro, 30
Sandro is a Nanny from London, who was born in Angola but fled the country with his mum when he was just two to avoid war, which led to them settling in the UK.
Passionate about fitness, Sandro is a keen boxer and has a background in ballet and breakdance too.
When Sandro was 21 his father passed away and he turned to baking as a form of therapy.
Now, he lives and breathes it, and is often found rustling up bakes in a relaxed vibe with the telly on, or running virtual baking classes for children with autism.
He likes to infuse his bakes with flavours from his Angolan heritage – the spice of paprika paired with tangy cheese, and sweet bakes smothered in sticky dulce de leche.
Syabira, 32
Syabira is a Cardiovascular Research Associate from London, who was born in Malaysia and moved to the UK in 2013 to study for her PhD.
She is happily settled in London with her boyfriend, Bradley and loves gaming. She often spends evenings playing an online World-War-II simulation game, which she credits with teaching her about leadership in the real world.
Syabira started baking relatively recently – in 2017 – with a red velvet cake, which reminded her of the treats she shared with her friends back home.
She is all for giving Malaysian flavour twists to British classics – chicken rendang cornish pasties are a particular favourite.
Will, 45
Will is a former Charity Director from London where he lives with his wife, three children and a cat called Tiggy.
When he’s not hanging out with his kids, Will loves DIY and carpentry, which indulges his background in architecture, and cooking up new and exciting dishes in the kitchen.
His passion for baking began when he was two, when his mum would give him her pastry trimmings to turn into little jam tarts.
Intrigued by the technical side of baking, he is a particular fan of using yeast – and not just in bread! His favourite flavours are salted caramel and paprika (but not at the same time).
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