Who has the recipe for success?
It’s time for a last slice of The Great British Bake Off as the contestants prepare for the final showstopper.
PICK OF THE WEEK THE GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF Tuesday, Channel 4, 8pm
THERE have been soggy bottoms, underbaked cakes and cracked meringues, but now the Great British Bake Off crown is about to be handed to a new baker.
Twelve contestants started in the new Channel 4 series, but now just three remain and only one can be the 2017 winner.
Presenters Sandi Toksvig and Noel Fielding say it has been emotional saying goodbye to contestants over the weeks of the competition.
Noel says: “I feel sick when I have to say bye to them. It fills your stomach all day and you don’t want to think about it.”
Sandi agrees: “The standard is so unbelievably high and they work so hard. It’s not just in the tent because they are working at home too.”
The final sees Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith set three challenges that will test every aspect of the skills of the finalists.
In the last signature challenge, the bakers return to bread, and the tricky task of a batch of loaves, while in the technical challenge, Prue has made a simple biscuit bake very tough.
There can be no room for nerves or trembling hands on the final day. As the bakers’ families gather outside the tent, the finalists have one last challenge – a delicate, multi-layered, high-end patisserie showstopper that could win them the title. MEET THE FINALISTS SOPHIE FALDO
Instagram: @sophiefaldo
Twitter: @SophieFaldo
Age: 33.
Star Baker: Twice.
Hollywood handshakes: One. Sophie recently revealed that she actually received the first Hollywood handshake of the series.
It caused a bit of stir amongst viewers – who accused the show of being a ‘fix’– as the coveted Hollywood handshake was not aired and it was made to look like Steven Carter-Bailey was the first contestant to receive one. Best moment: During Pudding Week the trainee stuntwoman won the molten chocolate pud technical. She went on to impress the judges with her trifle terrine showstopper, which they deemed as Michelin-star restaurant worthy.
Personal life: Sophie grew up in Suffolk and now lives in Surrey with her boyfriend David and cat Loki.
After graduating with a Masters in Psychology at the University of Toulouse, Sophie went to join the British Army as an officer in the Royal Artillery.
Sophie discovered she had a natural talent for baking after volunteering to make a friend’s birthday cake and she has a passion for patisserie.
When she is not baking, Sophie enjoys track cycling, rowing and teaching military boot camp.
Chances of winning: So, so. Sophie has been consistent throughout but has rarely edged ahead of fan favourite Steven. STEVEN CARTER-BAILEY
Instagram:spongecakesquaretin
Twitter: @SpongeCakeSqTin
Age: 34.
Star Baker: Three times.
Hollywood handshakes: One.
Best moment: Speaking to the TV
Times, Steven from Hertfordshire said his most memorable moments include being crowned Star Baker and receiving a Hollywood handshake.
The marketing professional also revealed that “sitting in the sun outside the tent and chatting with the other bakers” is one of his best moments.
Personal life: Steven comes from a family of strong baking women and describes baking as being in his blood. His mother, Judi, taught him the basics 25 years ago.
Steven cooks and bakes everything he eats and even lost five stone in the process. He has a background in marketing and a love of travel, however, it’s baking that consumes all areas of his life.
He prefers reading cookbooks to novels and likes to update classic recipes from his mum’s old cookbooks. Chances of winning: Steven has been a favourite since the beginning and has won the technical challenge two weeks running, which will work in his favour when the judges come to deliberate.
KATE LYON
Instagram: katie.s.lyon
Twitter: @Katie_Lyon_
Age: 29. Star Baker: Once.
Hollywood handshakes: None.
Best moment: The health and safety inspector from Merseyside was crowned Star Baker in Caramel Week for her toffee apple caramel cake. Prue was so impressed that she asked for the recipe. High praise indeed.
Personal life: Kate’s many hobbies include blacksmithing and furniture restoration as well as yoga and outdoor pursuits. The history fan Kate also utilises old-fashioned techniques for baking, such as using smoked flour for sourdough bread and recreating recipes such as a ‘Docker’s Wedding Cake’.
She is predominately self-taught and started to bake about two years ago when she started growing her own vegetables. Chances of winning: Not as strong as the others. Although Kate has made it this far, she hasn’t won Star Baker since the first week and will have to seriously impress the judges to take home the crown.