Great British Bake Off 2022 stars ranked after home-inspired Cake Week in episode 1, from overpowering flavours to sublime showstoppers-Sabrina Barr-Entertainment – Metro

Sandro was one of the 12 bakers put to the test in episode 1 (Picture: Channel 4)

The Great British Bake Off – thankfully – is back for a 2022 series, bringing with it soulful bakes, soggy bottoms and joyfulness aplenty.

In the first episode of the Channel 4 show, one baker became the first to be eliminated after a sponge-filled cake week, which saw the contestants challenged by judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith to make 12 identical mini sandwich cakes for their Signature.

In the Technical, Paul put their culinary skills to the test by asking them to prepare a sumptuous red velvet cake, while for the Showstopper, the competitors were tasked with making a creation that took inspiration from a home that meant something to them in their lives.

With co-hosts Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas on hand to provide levity and comfort in the tent, several bakers have already become favourites among the fans thanks to their kind spirits and passion for baking.

Here’s our ranking of the Bake Off 2022 stars after episode one, from top to bottom:

Janusz

Janusz is clearly a frontrunner in the competition (Picture: Mark Bourdillon/Channel 4)

Janusz has made it clear he has the culinary chops to go all the way, delighting Prue with his ‘neat as a pin’ Wuzetka bakes before winning over the judges to be named Star Baker thanks to his floral Showstopper.

While the 34-year-old personal assistant from East Sussex was in the lower half of the bakers for the Technical challenge, coming in seventh place for his red velvet cake, he’s definitely one to watch.

Syabira

Syabira poured her soul into her bakes (Picture: Mark Bourdillon/Channel 4)

Syabira brought a lot of heart and soul into the tent this week, crying after winning the Technical as she recalled how making a red velvet cake was what helped her find her passion for baking in the first place.

The judges were mesmerised by the vibrant colours and interesting flavours of her Signature, while her Showstopper – despite having ‘too many flavours’ going on – was praised for its ‘charming’ aesthetic. We can’t wait to see what else she has in store!

Sandro

Sandro’s delicate white rose Signature bakes were stunning (Picture: Mark Bourdillon/Channel 4)

Sandro’s Signature immediately set him apart from many of the other bakers, as he created sublime white rose mini sandwich cakes that were filled with rich and indulgent flavours.

While he finished in second place for the Technical, his Showstopper let him down ever so slightly, due to it containing too much alcohol for Paul – and even Prue’s – liking.

Dawn

Dawn put on a strong performance throughout the episode (Picture: Mark Bourdillon/Channel 4)

Dawn was consistently impressive throughout all three challenges, serving up lovely yet wobbly spring cakes in the first round, before finishing in third place for the Technical.

Her Showstopper – while again, slightly wonky – proved a hit with the judges, as they described the creation inspired by her Nan’s house ‘fantastic’.

Kevin

Kevin delighted the judges with his banana Showstopper (Picture: Mark Bourdillon/Channel 4)

Kevin started off well in some areas this week, impressing Prue and Paul with the rose flavour of his Signature bake, although they did point out that his cake was a tad too dry.

Having completed the Technical in fourth place, his banana cake for his Showstopper was lauded for its brilliant flavours, earning him a spot higher on our overall list.

Abdul

Abdul’s cake-y cacti for his Signature were particularly impressive (Picture: Mark Bourdillon/Channel 4)

In a similar vein to Sandro, Abdul’s ‘cake-y cacti’ Signature took inspiration from a plant, with Paul going so far as to say it was almost an ‘illusion’ thanks to the way the 12 cakes looked like a garden.

The 29-year-old electronics engineer landed in the middle of his peers in sixth place for the Technical, before pulling off a flavoursome Showstopper despite not realising his oven wasn’t on for 40 minutes.

Maxy

Maxy’s Showstopper needed finesse, but tasted great (Picture: Mark Bourdillon/Channel 4)

Going forward in the competition, the judges may be keeping an eye on whether Maxy ups her skills on the decor front, after proving she knows exactly what she’s doing with flavours.

Although the 29-year-old architectural assistant landed in 10th place for the Technical thanks to her ‘undercooked’ red velvet cake, her ‘mango magic mess’ Signature and South London flat-inspired Showstopper saved her from elimination thanks to their delectable tastes.

Maisam

Maisam is the youngest contestant on this year’s series (Picture: Mark Bourdillon/Channel 4)

At 18, Maisam is the youngest baker this year, and she had a shaky start with her Signature bakes, which tasted great, but ‘looked a mess’, as Prue put it.

Nonetheless, the student and sales assistant bounced back up the ranking after earning the fifth place spot in the Technical, before impressing with her colourful but untidy lemon-inspired Showstopper creation.

Carole

Carole is a ray of sunshine in the tent (Picture: Mark Bourdillon/Channel 4)

While Carole, 59, has undoubtedly brought plenty of smiles into the Bake Off tent, her second and third round in the first episode let her down, after winding up eighth in the Technical and leaving Paul’s throat ‘burning’ due to the immensely strong coffee flavour of her Showstopper.

Nevertheless, the supermarket cashier’s adorable bee Signature bakes were a huge hit, with Prue remarking about them: ‘What’s not to like?’

Rebs

Rebs was warned to be careful with her flavours (Picture: Mark Bourdillon/Channel 4)

After the masters student’s caramel went runny in the Signature, Rebs was warned to be careful with her flavours going into the next stages of the competition.

The 23-year-old’s ‘claggy’ red velvet cake landed her in 11th place in the Technical, but despite worrying that her Showstopper cakes weren’t cooked enough, in the end, the judges loved her flavours and the overall look of the sweet bake.

James

James showed he has great potential (Picture: Mark Bourdillon/Channel 4)

Kilt-wearing James, 25, wound up right at the bottom of the ranking for the Technical, having previously impressed the judges with his sticky toffee pudding-inspired Signature bakes.

While the nuclear scientist’s Showstopper was described by ‘claggy’ – not a word any baker wants to hear – he was applauded on his piping skills, which seem to have helped to save him from elimination by the skin of his teeth.

Will

Unfortunately, Will was the first to go (Picture: Mark Bourdillon/Channel 4)

Will, 45, definitely brightened up the tent with his infectious smile, but it was his time to go after his Signature bake was described as ‘disappointing’ by Prue, with its lacking ginger and caramel flavours.

Having been ninth out of 12 for the Technical, the former charity director’s Showstopper – despite looking impressive – was unfortunately too overbaked for the judges’ liking.

The Great British Bake Off returns next Tuesday at 8pm on Channel 4 and is available to watch on All 4.

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