The Daily Star Ireland
The Great British Bake Off’s 16th series opened on Channel 4 with 12 hopefuls stepping into the famous white tent, ready to impress judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith. Hosted by Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding, the premiere delivered the usual mix of sugar, stress and showstoppers—and one early goodbye. (Spoilers ahead.)
Week 1: Cake tests and first impressions
The season kicked off with Cake Week, setting three trials for the bakers. First up: a decorated Swiss roll featuring an inlay design, demanding precision and a steady hand. The Technical followed, tasking contestants with fondant fancies—no shared recipe, just cryptic instructions and intuition to nail both flavor and finish. Finally, the Showstopper asked for an edible landscape cake, a brief that blended scale, structure and storytelling.
Amid the pressure, Ukrainian-born office assistant Nataliia, 32, rose to the occasion and was named Star Baker—the first apron-tipped accolade of the season. The title sets an early benchmark while signaling a baker to watch in the weeks ahead.
Hassan bows out—and looks back
The series’ first elimination fell to Hassan, a 30-year-old scientist from South Yorkshire. After judges’ critiques of his Showstopper, he said he “had a strong inkling” his time was up. “Genuinely gutted,” he admitted, but described the moment that followed as unexpectedly heartening: Prue offered a hug, then a long line of fellow bakers did the same. “The support from all of them felt reassuring,” he said.
Hassan called the thrill of walking to his bench on day one his highlight—ingredients neatly set, recipe waiting, the excitement of finally baking for real. His low point arrived with a Swiss roll that didn’t go to plan, a stumble he felt knocked his confidence for the rest of the episode.
Even so, he leaves with sharpened skills and a new appreciation for the craft—and the craft of TV. “Being part of Bake Off gave me a big understanding of how much work goes into making a show,” he said, noting significant growth in recipe development, flavor pairings and brief-driven bakes. His verdict on the experience: demanding, yes—but a powerful push beyond the comfort zone and a chance to connect with “amazing, talented individuals.”
What this means for the series
With Star Baker awarded and the first apron folded, the field narrows and the narratives begin to form. Early momentum can be fragile, and Bake Off’s long game often favors consistency over fireworks—but Nataliia’s strong start puts her firmly on the radar. As for the wider Bake Off story, recent champions Georgie Grasso (2024) and Matty Edgell (2023) remind us that steady improvement—and a knack for nailing briefs under pressure—often decides the finale.
The Great British Bake Off airs Tuesdays at 8pm on Channel 4.
