MEET THE BAKERS

DAVE, 30

He taught himself to bake, and when not taking his dog (and cat) for a walk, he likes to make bread – and loves a mirror glaze.

LAURA, 31

A Gravesend girl, Laura is amazing at piping buttercream flowers – and she likes musical theatre (performing, too).

ROWAN, 55

Rowan swims a mile most mornings and likes to decorate his bakes with flowers gathered from his Worcestershire garden.

MARK, 32

Northern Irish Mark fell in love with baking at a pie shop in Edinburgh – which he visited every day at uni to eat mac ’n’ cheese pie.

HERMINE, 39

The mum of one is a “notorious feeder”, who relishes making high-end patisserie and jam (with pretty labels).

MARC, 51

Single parent Marc began baking as a form of therapy when he lost his leg in a motorbike accident four years ago.

LINDA, 61

Sausage rolls and classic bakes are Linda’s strengths. She lives in East Sussex and enjoys visiting the beach market.

LORIEA, 27

Celebrating her Caribbean roots, Loriea likes putting coconut, chillies and cinnamon in her food – and rarely follows a recipe.

MAKBUL, 51

Mak enjoys making traditional Asian biscuits, and has recently taken up beekeeping – producing his own honey for bakes.

LOTTIE, 31

When Lottie was little, she watched cookery shows rather than playing with toys – and thinks baking is in her blood.

SURA, 31

Sura is always trying ingredients and flavours from all over the world – especially Middle Eastern and Asian influences.

PETER, 20

Badminton-mad Peter mostly bakes without wheat, and “listens” to his cakes to see when they are ready (this works!).