And the winner is..!
Who will be 2018’s ultimate star baker?
The GBBO tent has enjoyed another year of thrills and spills, with new themed weeks showing us how to make vegan showstoppers and Danish delicacies, and Paul Hollywood giving out an unprecedented number of handshakes.
We’ve fallen in love with the bakers, worried about Rahul’s blood pressure, and the standard of baking has been exceptional. According to Paul, this week’s grand finale is a showstopper in itself.
Fresh challenges
‘It really was the best final ever this series because all three challenges are radically different – one of them we’d never done before and it was fascinating to see how they dealt with it,’ he tells us. ‘The bakers have got better every year, too, and their personalities are so strong. It’s one of the best groups of people I’ve been involved with during my time on the show.’
At the time of going to press, we can only confirm this year’s semi-finalists, but the 2018 cake stand of champions will either go to research scientist Rahul, mental-health specialist Kim-Joy, full-time mum Briony or project manager Ruby.
Crowned cook
Three challenges stand between the finalists and a victory speech. The signature will be a doughnut task in which the bakers will be required to create stunning decoration. Details of the technical challenge are being kept quiet, but we can reveal an unusual twist will mean baking takes place outside the tent!
The final challenge is ‘an intricate, edible, multilayered landscape’, which will call on the bakers to utilise all of their skills. But who will go the extra mile to clinch the title and a spot in the Bake Off hall of fame?