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. 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.

Bakers ContestantAgeHometownOccupationFinishPlaceLea Harris51MidlothianRetiredEpisode 19th (tie)Mark Whithers 48 South Wales Bus Driver Annetha Mills 30 Essex Midwife Episode 27th (tie)Louise Brimelow 44 Manchester Police Officer Jonathan Shepherd 25 St Albans Research Analyst Episode 36thDavid Chambers 31 Milton Keynes Entrepreneur Episode 45th 45 Birmingham Assistant Credit Control Manager Episode 54thMiranda Gore Browne 37 MidhurstFood buyer for Marks & Spencer Episode 63rdRuth Clemens 31 Pointon Retail manager/Housewife 2nd 24 Bradford Debt collector for Yorkshire Bank 1st

Results summary + Elimination chartBaker123456Edd HIGH HIGH HIGH LOW HIGH WINNERRuthHIGH SAFE HIGH HIGH HIGH Runner Up MirandaHIGH HIGH SAFE HIGH LOW ThirdJas SAFE SAFE LOW SAFE OUT David LOW LOW LOW OUT Jonathan SAFE HIGH OUT AnnethaHIGH OUT Louise LOW OUT LeaOUT MarkOUT

Colour key:

Episodes

Episode 1: Cakes For the first challenge, the bakers were instructed to bake any cake they want using their creativity within 3 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.

+ Location: CotswoldsBakerSignature(Cake)Technical(Victoria Sandwich)Showstopper(Chocolate Celebration Cake)ResultAnnetha Light Jamaican Black Cake with Strawberries and Cream 2nd Red, White & Blue Chocolate Cake with Cigarellos, Fresh Fruit, and Cream David Chocolate Orange Cake 3rd Black Forest Floor Gateau with Chocolate Leaves, Fallen Fruit, and Chocolate Mushrooms Edd Caramel Cinnamon and Banana Cake 1st UNKNOWN Jasminder Fresh Mango and Passion Fruit Hummingbird Cake UNKNOWN Jonathan Carrot Cake with Lime and Cream Cheese Icing 9th Three Tiered White and Dark Chocolate with Almond and Cherry Lea Cranberry and Pistachio Cakewith Orange Flower Water Icing 10th Raspberries and Cream-filled Chocolate Cake with Chocolate-dipped Fresh Fruit Louise Carrot and Orange Cake Never Fail Chocolate Sponge Cake with Fresh Fruit Mark Sticky Marmalade Tea Loaf Heart-shaped Chocolate and Beetroot Cake Miranda Triple Layered Brownie Meringue Cake with Raspberry Cream 8th Three Tiered Chocolate Fudge Cake with Handmade Chocolate Button Decorations Ruth Lemon Drizzle Cakewith Fresh Cream and freshly made Lemon Curd Classic Chocolate Sponge wrapped in a Chocolate Collar topped with Handmade White and Dark Chocolate Truffles

Episode 2: Biscuits For the signature bake, the bakers were asked to bake their Signature Personality Biscuits within 2 hours. The technical challenge required them to bake scones using Paul Hollywood's recipe within 1 hour. For the showstopper, the bakers were asked to produce three different Petit Fours: Meringues, Choux Pastry, and Macarons, within 4 hours.

+ Location: Scone Palace, PerthshireBakerSignature(Personality Biscuit)Technical(Scones)Showstopper(Petit fours: Meringues, Choux Pastry and Macarons)ResultAnnetha Rose Petal Shortbread 7th Pink Swirl MacaronsEclairs David Cheddar Cheese and Fresh Rosemary Biscuits 8th Choux Pastry SwansPlain Meringues Edd Oatmeal Raisin Cookies 6th Pink MacaronsPassion Fruit Meringues Jasminder Millionaires' Shortbread 2nd Meringues with Chocolate and Space DustCoffee Flavoured Eclairs Jonathan Honey and Candied Ginger Cookies 1st Meringues with Whiskey Cream and Chocolate Louise Stained Glass Window Shortbread 4th Strawberry, Mint, and Cream Meringue BasketsChocolate EclairsOrange, Yellow and Pink Macarons Miranda Fresh Vanilla Biscuits with Royal Icing 3rd Pistachio Macarons Ruth Peanut Shortbread with Salted Peanut Caramel 5th Almond Macaron with Violet ButtercreamRaspberries and Cream Eclairs

Episode 3: Bread For their signature bake, the bakers were given hours to produce their signature bread loaf. The technical challenge required them to bake a traditional round cob loaf, using Paul's recipe in hours. For the showstopper, the bakers were asked to bake 12 sweet rolls and 12 savoury rolls, with three flavours of each, within 6 hours.

+ Location: Sarre Windmill, KentBakerSignature(Breads)Technical(Round Cob Loaf)Showstopper(12 Sweet and 12 Savoury Rolls)ResultDavid Chilli Bread 4th Walnut and Seed RollRed Berry and Almond BunTomato and Herb Rolls Edd Olive Bread 1st Tomato, Mozzarella, and Chorizo RollsChelsea BunsHot Cross Buns Jasminder Focaccia 5th Mango and Sultana BunsPain au Chocolat with Mars BarsTutti Frutti Wheels with Jelly TotsTomato and Cheese Rolls Jonathan Anchovy, Sweet Paprika and Oregano Bread 6th Sticky Lemon Honey BunsOlive and Anchovy RollsSun-Dried Tomato and Fresh Herb RollsStilton, Walnut and Braeburn Apple RollsCinnamon, Cardamom, and Sultana Chelsea Buns with Icing Miranda Walnut and Apricot Bread 3rd Lemon Iced BunsChocolate and Orange BunsCranberry Buns with Icing Sugar Ruth Maple and Pecan Bread 2nd Chocolate and Orange PanettoneCranberry Bagels

Episode 4: Puddings For the first challenge, the bakers were asked to bake their own classic pudding, steamed or baked, in 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 5 hours to produce three puddings: crumble, bread, and suet.

+ Location: Bakewell, DerbyshireBakerSignature (Steamed or Baked Pudding)Technical(Mini Hot Lemon Soufflés)Showstopper(3 Puddings: Crumble, Bread, and Suet)ResultDavid Pear and Walnut Pudding 5th Apple and Blackberry CrumbleRhubarb and Orange BettySuet Pear Edd Apple and Plum Pudding 3rd Apple and Cinnamon CrumbleNutella Banana Brioche Bread PuddingRhubarb and Strawberry Suet Layer Jasminder Sticky Toffee Pudding 2nd Bread and Butter PuddingTreacle Suet Pudding with Fresh FruitApple and Pineapple Crumble Miranda Sticky Toffee Pudding 1st Queen of PuddingsChocolate Pear Roly PolyStrawberry and Rhubarb Crumble Ruth Peach and Blueberry Boy Bait 4th Apple and Ginger CrumbleRhubarb Suet PuddingCherry Queen of Puddings

Episode 5: Pastry For the signature challenge, the bakers were asked to bake a savoury pie in hours. For the technical challenge, the bakers were asked to bake 4 Cornish pasties in hours. For the showstopper, the bakers were asked to bake 2 pastry platters containing savory canapés and sweet tartlets in 5 hours.

+ Location: Mousehole, CornwallBakerSignature(Savoury Pies)Technical(4 Cornish Pasties)Showstopper(Tarts and Canapés)ResultEdd Chicken, Ham, Leek and Tarragon Pie 2nd Almond Sweet Tart with Ginger and Chocolate Yorkshire Curd TartChickpea and Salami PâtéRed and Yellow Pepper TartAsparagus Gruyere Quiche Jasminder Chicken and Mushroom Pie 4th Jaggery TartFruit and Custard TartThai Chili and Red Onion CanapésDuck in Plum Sauce CanapésSalmon and Prawn Canapés 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 BitesBroad Bean and Tomato Pastry HeartsPancetta and Leek Risotto Canapés Ruth Minced Beef Pie 3rd Raspberry and Dark Chocolate TartCreme Patisserie and Cherry Tart Citrus Curd Tart with Creme Brulee TopRoasted Tomato CanapésAsparagus Pastry Twirls

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 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).

+ Location: Fulham Palace, LondonBakerSignature(24 Professional Miniature Cakes)Showstopper Afternoon Tea Party: Petit Fours, Scones, Finger SandwichesResult Edd Cinnamon and Banana Cakes Chocolate and Ginger TartsLemon Scones with Passion Fruit CurdRaspberry Choux BunsFinger Sandwiches Miranda Lemon Cupcakes Ruth Mint, Ginger and Blackberry Cakes Red Pepper and Cheese Quiche TartsSultana SconesVanilla and Lemon Choux BunsFinger Sandwiches

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. 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, 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.

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.

Miranda Gore Browne wrote a book, Biscuit, published on 5 April 2012. Her second book, Bake Me a Cake as Fast as You Can, was published in August 2014.

Jonathan Shepherd left his job in the pharmaceutical company and launched a new business, The Pudding Stop, in St Albans. It started as a portable street-food vendor and a supplier of puddings to restaurants. Shepherd has since also opened a shop, also in St Albans.

Mark Whithers, who was eliminated in Episode 1, died on 11 May 2013 after suffering from cancer.

Lea Harris participated in the 2024 rendition of The Great New Year's Bake Off.

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.

Episodeno.AirdateViewers(millions)BBC Twoweekly rankingNightly ranking1 2.24 7122 3.00 3103 2114 2.60 45 3.03 1106 2.75

Specials + The Great British Wedding CakeEpisodeno.AirdateViewers(millions)BBC Twoweekly ranking 1.60 19

References

External links