The first series of The Great British Bake Off first aired on BBC Two on 17 August 2010. Ten home bakers took part in a bake-off to test their baking skills as they battled to be designated the best amateur baker. Each week the programme bakers participated in three challenges in a particular discipline, with some being eliminated at the end of each episode. The rounds of the competition took place in various locations across the UK following a theme, for example, the episode on puddings took place in Bakewell, bread baking would take place near Sandwich.[1][2] This first series had a voiceover by Stephen Noonan; for the subsequent series this role was taken by the on-screen presenters Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins. The competition was won by Edd Kimber.[3][4][5]
Baker was one of the judges' least favourite bakers that week, but was not eliminated.
Baker was one of the judges' favourite bakers that week.
Baker was the series runner-up.
Baker was the series winner.
Episodes
Episode 1: Cakes
For the first challenge, the bakers were instructed to bake any cake they want using their creativity within three hours. It had to be evenly baked, evenly risen, and moist. For the technical challenge, the bakers were to make a Victoria Sandwich using Mary Berry's recipe. For the final challenge, the showstopper challenge, the bakers were required to make a Chocolate Celebration Cake, with perfect execution, original ideas and their own flair.
Triple Layered Brownie Meringue Cake with Raspberry Cream
8th
Three Tiered Chocolate Fudge Cake with Handmade Chocolate Button Decorations
Safe
Ruth
Lemon Drizzle Cake with Fresh Cream and freshly made Lemon Curd
—
Classic Chocolate Sponge wrapped in a Chocolate Collar topped with Handmade White and Dark Chocolate Truffles
Safe
Episode 2: Biscuits
For the signature bake, the bakers were asked to bake their Signature Personality Biscuits within two hours. The technical challenge required them to bake scones using Paul Hollywood's recipe within an hour. For the showstopper, the bakers were asked to produce three different Petit Fours: Meringues, Choux Pastry, and Macarons, within four hours.
Meringues with Chocolate and Space Dust Coffee Flavoured Eclairs
Safe
Jonathan
Ginger and Honey Cookies
1st
Meringues with Whiskey Cream and Chocolate
Safe
Louise
Stained Glass Window Shortbread
4th
Strawberry, Mint, and Cream Meringue Baskets Chocolate Eclairs Orange, Yellow and Pink Macarons
Eliminated
Miranda
Fresh Vanilla Biscuits with Royal Icing
3rd
Pistachio Macarons
Safe
Ruth
Peanut Shortbread with Salted Peanut Caramel
5th
Almond Macaron with Violet Buttercream Raspberries and Cream Eclairs
Safe
Episode 3: Bread
For their signature bake, the bakers were given 3+1⁄2 hours to produce their signature bread loaf. The technical challenge required them to bake a traditional round cob loaf, using Paul's recipe in 2+1⁄2 hours. For the showstopper, the bakers were asked to bake 12 sweet rolls and another dozen savoury rolls, with three flavours of each, within 6 hours.
For the first challenge, the bakers were asked to bake their own classic pudding, steamed or baked, in 2+1⁄2 hours. In the technical challenge, the bakers were required to use Mary's recipe to bake four miniature lemon souffles within 40 minutes. The bakers started to bake at different time intervals. The showstopper gave the bakers five hours to produce three puddings: crumble, bread, and suet.
Apple & Ginger Crumble Rhubarb Suet Pudding Cherry Queen of Puddings
Safe
Episode 5: Pastry
For the signature challenge, the bakers were asked to bake a savoury pie in 2+1⁄2 hours. For the technical challenge, the bakers were asked to bake 4 Cornish pasties in 1+1⁄2 hours. For the showstopper, the bakers were asked to bake 2 pastry platters containing savory canapés and sweet tartlets, in 5 hours.
Yorkshire Curd Tart Chickpea and Salami Red and Yellow Pepper Asparagus Gruyere Quiche
Safe
Jasminder
Chicken and Mushroom Pie
4th
Jaggery, Carrot, and Spiced Condensed Milk Tart Fruit and Custard Tart Thai Chili and Red Onion Duck in Plum Sauce Salmon and Prawn Canapés
Eliminated
Miranda
Summery Salmon, Cod and Prawn Fish Pie
1st
Chocolate Pastry filled with Orange Cheesecake Chocolate Pastry filled with Milk Chocolate Ganache Strawberry Tart with Red Currant Glaze Cheesy Crab Broad Bean and Tomato Pastry Hearts Pancetta and Leek Risotto Canapés
Safe
Ruth
Minced Beef Pie
3rd
Raspberry and Dark Chocolate Tart Creme Patisserie and Cherry Tart Citrus Curd Tart with Creme Brulee Top Roasted Tomato Canapés Asparagus Pastry Twirls
Safe
Episode 6: Tea Party (Final)
In the final, one of the three finalists was eliminated after the first bake, and only two bakers competed in the final day. For the first challenge, they were asked to bake 24 professional-quality miniature cakes in 2+1⁄2 hours. For the final challenge, the 2 finalists were given 5 hours to bake 24 miniature tarts, 24 scones, 24 choux buns, and 24 brown and white bread finger sandwiches for afternoon tea on the garden lawn for 40 guests (including all the bakers from earlier rounds).
Showstopper Afternoon Tea Party: Petit Fours, Scones, Finger Sandwiches
Result
Edd
Cinnamon and Banana Cakes
Chocolate and Ginger Tarts Lemon Scones with Passion Fruit Curd Raspberry Choux Buns Finger Sandwiches
Winner
Miranda
Lemon Cupcakes
—
Eliminated at signature
Ruth
Mint, Ginger and Blackberry Cakes
Red Pepper and Cheese Quiche Tarts Sultana Scones Vanilla and Lemon Choux Buns Finger Sandwiches
Runner-up
It took the judges nearly five hours to determine whom to eliminate, and had to look back at their performances over the series as a whole to make a decision. The idea of eliminating a contestant in the final was dropped from future series.
Post-show career
After winning the competition, Edd Kimber is able to make his living from baking.[6] He worked in the pastry kitchen at Raymond Blanc's restaurant Le Manoir. He has written three books on baking, The Boy Who Bakes, Say It With Cake,[7] and Patisserie Made Simple: From Macaron to Millefeuille and More. He has taught macaron making classes in London, run a pop-up bakery in Fortnum & Mason, and appeared as a 'resident baker' on The Alan Titchmarsh Show.[8]
Ruth Clemens has written a number of books on cake making and baking, including Busy Girls Guide to Cake Decorating, The Pink Whisk Guide to Cake Making, The Pink Whisk Guide to Baking and Creative Éclairs.[9][10]
Miranda Gore Browne wrote a book, Biscuit, published on 5 April 2012.[11] Her second book, Bake Me a Cake as Fast as You Can, was published in August 2014.[12]
Jonathan Shepherd left his job in the pharmaceutical company and launched a new business, The Pudding Stop, in St Albans.[13] It started as a portable street-food vendor and a supplier of puddings to restaurants.[14] Shepherd has since also opened a shop, also in St Albans.[15][16]
Mark Whithers, who was eliminated in Episode 1, died on 11 May 2013 after suffering from cancer.[17]
The Great British Wedding Cake
In this one-off special edition, the three finalists from series one (Edd, Ruth and Miranda) returned. Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry set them the challenge of making and baking two spectacular Wedding Cakes each in just sixteen hours, one being traditional and the other contemporary.
Paul and Mary explore the history of the Great British Wedding Cake, looking at the dramatic changes through the eras; from the Tudors and the Victorians, wartime Britain and the eighties to the present day.
Although Paul and Mary judged the results, no individual winner was declared.
Ratings
Official episode viewing figures are from BARB.[18]