Nerve-racking technical challenges, show-stopping creations and the famous white tent – there’s nothing quite like The Great British Bake Off. As Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith return to our screens to judge this year's much-anticipated series 14, joined by Noel Fielding and brand new co-host Alison Hammond, we look back at the previous contestants and winners to discover what they’re up to now.
Taking inspiration from her Malaysian heritage, cardiovascular scientist Syabira surprised and delighted the judges with her unusual flavour combinations and imaginative bakes, including a watermelon steamed pudding and Piña Colada custard gâteau. She was crowned Star Baker on three consecutive occasions during series 13, and went on to win the competition overall. Since then, she’s become a regular at food festivals, and is currently working on a cookbook of Malaysian-inspired bakes.
The Italian-born baker impressed the judges with his intricate and flavour-packed bakes over the course of series 12. Giuseppe, an engineer whose father used to be a professional chef, used his ingenuity throughout the series to create stunning pieces like his Leaning Tower of Pisa cake. Although the competition was stiff, Giuseppe's Mad Hatter's Tea Party showstopper was enough to secure him the trophy. Giuseppe's first cookbook, Giuseppe's Italian Bakes came out in 2022, and his latest book, Giuseppe's Easy Bakes, is set to be released in November 2023.
German software engineer and trombone player Jürgen was one of Bake Off’s most memorable contestants, regularly wowing the judges with his technically precise, traditional German bakes. With three Star Baker badges under his belt, Jürgen was a favourite to win until his shock elimination during the semi-finals. It caused such a scandal, Ofcom received 115 viewer complaints. His long-awaited debut cookbook, The German Baking Book, is out now.
The first Scottish baker to take the Bake Off crown, Peter was also the youngest contestant ever to win the show. Following his victory, Peter continued to study accounting and finance at the University of Edinburgh. However, he's still found the time to publish his debut cookbook, Peter Bakes.
Laura was one of the stand-out stars from series 11, with viewers falling in love with her sense of humour and positive outlook (as well as her messy baking). Since then, she’s become a plus-size fashion influencer and body positivity advocate, with a loyal following on social media. She hosts an award-winning podcast, Go Love Yourself, and her debut book, Diet Starts Monday, comes out in January 2024.
David Atherton won the Bake Off final in 2019 after creating an incredible chocolate cake and stilton soufflé. Since then, the bread-baking superstar has released three cookbooks: his debut cookbook for children, My First Cook Book, and two others focusing on healthy eating. Like GBBO champions before him, the former health advisor also regularly writes for The Guardian. These days, he co-hosts the baking and pop culture podcast Sticky Bun Boys with fellow Bake Off contestant Michael Chakraverty.
The winner of Bake Off 2018, Rahul Mandal also won the nation’s hearts with his modest character and star bakes. Since taking the season nine crown, the researcher has returned to his job at the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre at the University of Sheffield. However, he still keeps fans updated on Instagram with his most recent culinary creations – and his debut book, Showstopping Cakes, came out in 2022.
Series nine finalist Kim-Joy captivated viewers with her sparkling personality and string of colourful bakes. Since the show, she's released several cookbooks and written for The Guardian newspaper. The baker's latest projects include releasing a card game (Kim Joy's Magic Bakery), penning a graphic novel and masterminding the cookbook Bake Me a Cat, a collection of show-stopping, feline-themed recipes.
Despite her masterpiece toppling over during one of the GBBO challenges she faced, Network Rail project manager Ruby Bhogal sailed all the way to the final in 2018 with her relaxed attitude to baking. Scooping a place as a runner-up has opened up a number of opportunities for her; since the competition, she's gone on to appear on ITV’s This Morning and Channel 4’s Steph’s Packed Lunch, and she also writes for British GQ.
GBBO 2017 winner Sophie Faldo surprised the judges with her incredible flavour combinations and steely-eyed determination. Since winning the contest, Sophie has returned to her job as an army officer, but not before setting up her own business, Sophie Faldo Couture Cakes, which makes bespoke cakes for weddings.
One of the finalists from GBBO 2017, Steven was a strong contender, being named Star Baker three times and receiving several Hollywood Handshakes along the way. Since Bake Off, Steven has appeared on a number of TV shows including ITV News London, where he explored London’s diverse bakeries, and Great New Year Bake Off 2019, which he won.
Liam quickly became a fan favourite thanks to his witty one-liners and positive attitude. Since participating in Bake Off's eighth series, the London-born chef has released two cookbooks, Cheeky Treats and Second Helpings. Meanwhile, his bubbly personality has landed him a number of prime-time TV presenting roles including Bake Off: The Professionals, as well as his own Channel 4 show, Liam Bakes. He's also a judge on Junior Bake Off.
Candice Brown – whose cheeky attitude and creative cakes (remember her marzipan peacock?) often left Paul Hollywood speechless – won series seven after wowing the judges with a royal picnic dubbed a 'humdinger of a show-stopper'. Since the 2016 Bake Off final, the former teacher has appeared at food festivals and on TV. She's also published two cookbooks; her latest, Happy Cooking, focuses on comfort food to soothe the soul. She also co-owns The Green Man pub in Milton Keynes.
2016 finalist Andrew Smyth was loved for his lilting Irish accent and precise bakes. After the competition ended, the Cambridge graduate created an edible jet engine for Prince William when he visited Rolls-Royce, the GBBO star's workplace. Andrew now splits his time between aerospace research, baking and presenting. In 2021, he was one of the executive producers of Netflix baking competition Baking Impossible, a series based around cakes and engineering. He was also a judge on the show.
Another 2016 finalist, garden designer Jane Beedle was regularly complimented by the judges for her technical expertise. Nowadays you'll find her touring UK food festivals, baking delicious fruity pies and cakes (including her favourite lemon drizzle), and keeping her followers up to date on Instagram.
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Val Stones, a contestant in 2016, was loved for her quirky techniques, like 'listening' to cakes – but unfortunately, she was eliminated in week five after a Bakewell tart disaster. Since the show, Val has published a book called The Cake Whisperer, which promises to help you listen to what your bakes are telling you. In 2022, she reunited with Paul Hollywood once more as they voiced characters in the animated film DC League of Super-Pets.
Nadiya Hussain’s career took off when she won the 2015 series of Bake Off. Since the competition, she's appeared on numerous TV shows, including travelogue The Chronicles of Nadiya, penned seven bestselling cookbooks – her latest is called Nadiya's Everyday Baking – and has written for The Times' Saturday magazine supplement. She served an orange drizzle cake for the Queen’s 90th birthday, and is a published novelist too. In 2020, she received an MBE for services to broadcasting and the culinary arts.
Tamal Ray came close to claiming the crown in series six, but was pipped to the post by Nadiya Hussain. Since the show ended, Tamal has continued to work as a doctor for the NHS, presented on Channel 4's Live Well For Longer, and contributed recipes to The Guardian's food magazine.
Photographer and family man Ian was a runner-up in 2015. Since GBBO, he has continued to travel the world taking pictures – you can follow him on Instagram to see some of his beautiful snaps – and has written a feature about baking bread in an Icelandic volcano for The Telegraph.
Nancy Birtwhistle is best remembered for her stunning windmill cake. Since winning series five in 2014, the Hull-born retiree has demonstrated at food festivals, taught in schools, appeared as an after-dinner speaker and acted as a cake judge. Nancy also baked a cake for EastEnders’ 30th birthday, and published a cookbook, Sizzle and Drizzle. Not only does the book contain recipes, but it also includes hints and tips on cleaning, and eco-friendly hacks.
Luis Troyano made it to the final of the fifth series of GBBO with mouth-watering desserts like his tequila slammer cheesecake and cherry brandy gâteau. In 2015, he released the cookbook Bake it Great so fans could try their hand at his creations. Sadly, Luis passed away in October 2020 following a battle with oesophageal cancer.
Chetna wowed the judges with her creative flavour combinations, and her spice-infused bakes earned her a place in the Bake Off semi-final in 2014. Since then, it seems like she's hardly stopped, releasing seven cookbooks, launching a popular YouTube channel, and showcasing her own spin on Indian dishes on her popular Instagram account. Her latest book, Chetna's Indian Feasts, has just come out.
In 2013, Frances Quinn beat Kimberley Wilson and Ruby Tandoh to win series four of Bake Off with edible masterpieces like her Barbara Hepworth shortbread sculptures, chocolate charcoal briquettes, and a world-record-breaking giant Jaffa Cake. She has since published a cookbook, Quintessential Baking.
Being runner-up to Frances Quinn in series four didn’t stop Ruby Tandoh from carving out one of the most successful careers of any of GBBO's contestants. As well as penning cookbooks Crumb: The Baking Book and Flavour: Eat What You Love, Ruby has also written about body image, sexuality and feminism in her book Eat Up: Appetite and Eating What You Want. Her latest cookbook, Cook As You Are, has been praised as one of the most inclusive cookbooks out there. She can currently be found contributing to online food magazine Vittles.
John Whaite won the GBBO trophy in 2012, and published his first book, John Whaite Bakes: Recipes for Every Day and Every Mood, in 2013. John also went on to open the Kitchen Cookery School in rural Lancashire (though it's currently closed) and appeared as a presenter and judge on ITV's daytime cookery competition, Chopping Block. Since then, he's published four cookery books, come second on Strictly Come Dancing, and become a regular on Channel 4 daytime show Steph's Packed Lunch.
Although 2012 finalist James Morton stuck to his original plan of going into medicine – he currently works as a doctor – he has also achieved fame as a baker and food writer. His books include Super Sourdough (about breadmaking), Brew (about making beer), and Shetland, which explores life on the Scottish island.
After winning GBBO series two in 2011, Jo Wheatley went on to pen two books: A Passion for Baking and Home Baking. She has also written for a number of magazines, and appeared on TV shows like The One Show and This Morning – plus, she's opened a cookery school, which is touted as one of the best baking schools in the UK. Nowadays, the busy chef likes to travel and keep her followers up to date through Instagram.
Johnny Shepherd may not have reached the final in series one, but that hasn’t stopped his success. As well as penning his book Puddings, he runs The Pudding Stop, a quaint bakery in St Albans, Hertfordshire. Here you can buy a huge range of brownies, cronuts and custard tarts.
Edd Kimber, known as 'The Boy Who Bakes', won the very first series of GBBO, which aired in 2010. He promptly ditched his job, and has since gone on to forge a successful career as a food writer and TV personality – writing several cookbooks along the way. Ed’s worked at Raymond Blanc’s prestigious restaurant Le Manoir and had a stint as resident baker on The Alan Titchmarsh Show. His latest project, a cookbook called Small Batch Bakes, was released in 2022.