The Great British Bake Off series 15 explained

Series Number:15
Num Episodes:10
Network:Channel 4

The fifteenth series of The Great British Bake Off began on 24 September 2024. Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding returned as hosts, with Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith returning to judge the series. The bakers competing in the series were announced on 17 September 2024.[1]

The series was won by Georgie Grasso, with Dylan Bachelet and Christiaan De Vries finishing as the runners-up.[2]

Bakers

Baker[3] AgeOccupationHometown
Andy Ryan44Car mechanicEssex[4]
Christiaan de Vries33Menswear designerLondon (originally from the Netherlands)[5]
Dylan Bachelet20Retail assistantBuckinghamshire[6] [7]
Georgie Grasso34Paediatric nurseCarmarthenshire[8]
Gill Howard53Senior category managerLancashire[9]
Hazel Vaughan71Retired nail technicianKent[10]
Illiyin Morrison31Birth trauma specialist midwifeNorfolk[11]
Jeff67Retired university lecturerWest Yorkshire (originally from The Bronx)[12]
John Mincher37Directorate support managerWest Midlands[13]
Mike Wilkins29Farm managerWiltshire[14]
Nelly Ghaffar44Palliative care assistantDorset (originally from Slovakia)[15]
Sumayah Kazi18Gap Year studentLancashire[16]

Results summary

Elimination chart
Baker12345678910
GeorgieHIGHLOWHIGHSBSAFESAFEHIGHSBLOWWINNER
ChristiaanLOWHIGHSAFESAFESAFESAFESAFELOWSBRUNNER-UP
DylanSAFESAFESBHIGHSAFELOWSBHIGHHIGH
GillSAFESAFESAFESAFESBHIGHLOWLOWOUT
IlliyinSAFELOWSAFESAFELOWSAFELOWOUT
SumayahHIGHSBSAFELOWHIGHSBOUT
NellySAFESAFEHIGHSAFESAFEOUT
AndySAFESAFELOWSAFEOUT
MikeSAFESAFESAFEOUT
JohnSBSAFEOUT
HazelLOWOUT
JeffN/AWD

Jeff was ill and unable to compete during the technical challenge and showstopper in episode 1. As a result, the judges decided that it was unfair to eliminate anyone in his absence.
Jeff left the show during the technical challenge in episode 2 after feeling unwell.
Illiyin's showstopper in episode 2 was evaluated without her, as she fainted at the end of the challenge and required medical attention.

Colour key:

Episodes

Episode 1: Cake

The first episode is Cake Week.[17] For the first challenge, the bakers were given two hours to produce an elevated version of their signature loaf cake. For the technical challenge, set by Paul, the bakers were asked to bake a batch of eight perfectly symmetrical mini Battenberg cakes, consisting of a light sponge sandwiched in a silky buttercream, coated in apricot jam and wrapped in marzipan. The bakers were given five minutes to inspect and taste a mini Battenburg cake with no additional recipe, and were then given two hours and fifteen minutes to complete the challenge. For the showstopper challenge, the bakers were asked to make a hyper-realistic illusion cake in four hours.

BakerSignature
(Loaf Cake)
Technical/Taste And Bake
(8 Mini Battenbergs)
Showstopper
(Hyperrealistic Illusion Cake)
Result
Andy'My First Bake' Loaf Cake8th'It's an Overnight Job' Illusion Cake
Christiaan'Umami Apple' Loaf Cake2nd'Sweet Seams are Made With This' Illusion Cake
Dylan'Sticky Rice' Loaf Cake4th'Canopic Jar' Illusion Cake
GeorgieVanilla & Chocolate Marble Loaf Cake1st'Fanny the Chicken' Illusion Cake
Gill'It's All V's Fault' Loaf Cake6thCrown Green Bowling Illusion Cake
Hazel'Raspberry Surprise' Loaf Cake10th'Handbag' Illusion Cake
Illiyin'Cinnamon Roll' Loaf Cake7thVase Illusion Cake
Jeff'Guiding Star' Loaf Cake
JohnCherry & Chocolate Marble Loaf Cake3rd'The Perfect Brunch' Illusion Cake
MikeLemon and Linseed Loaf Cake11th'My Favourite Cake & Books' Illusion Cake
NellyCoconut Loaf Cake5th'Retro 90's Shoes' Illusion Cake
Sumayah'Halwa Surprise' Loaf Cake9th'Pato the Duck' Illusion Cake

Episode 2: Biscuits

The second episode is Biscuit Week. For the first challenge, the bakers were given two hours to produce twelve Viennese whirls sandwiched in any shape, flavour, and filling of their choice. For the technical challenge, set by Prue, the bakers were asked to bake a batch of twelve mint cream biscuits, consisting of a buttery biscuit topped with a smooth peppermint cream and coated in tempered dark chocolate. For the showstopper challenge, the bakers were asked to make a biscuit puppet theatre with edible biscuit puppets.

BakerSignature
(Viennese Whirls)
Technical
(Mint Cream Biscuits)
Showstopper
(Biscuit Puppet Theatre)
Result
Andy'PB & J' Viennese Whirls10th'If Pigs Could Fly' Biscuit Puppet Theatre
ChristiaanFloral Viennese Whirls6th'Finding Home' Biscuit Puppet Theatre
Dylan'Campfire Cookie' Viennese Whirls11th'Rabbit In The Moon' Biscuit Puppet Theatre
GeorgieRhubarb & Custard Viennese Whirls9th‘Welsh Festival' Biscuit Puppet Theatre
Gill'Two Desserts' Viennese Whirls4th'The Gingerbread Man' Biscuit Puppet Theatre
HazelCoffee Viennese Whirls5th'Punch & Judy' Biscuit Puppet Theatre
IlliyinPistachio & White Chocolate Viennese Whirls8th'Strawberry Fields Forever' Biscuit Puppet Theatre
Jeff'What’s The Matter? Are You Not Feeling Well?' Viennese Whirlscolspan="3"
JohnIrish Cream & Coffee Viennese Whirls2nd'Welsh Adventures' Biscuit Puppet Theatre
MikeMalted Brown Butter & Raspberry Viennese Whirls1st'Go Farming' Biscuit Puppet Theatre
Nelly'My First Dog' Viennese Whirls7th'Forest Dance' Biscuit Puppet Theatre
SumayahCheese & Blackberry Viennese Whirls3rd'Enchanted Garden' Biscuit Puppet Theatre

Jeff fell ill during the technical challenge and as it was his second consecutive week falling ill, he withdrew from the show altogether.
Illiyin fainted at the end of the showstopper challenge. Since she was still able to complete the round, the judges continued with evaluating her bake, deeming her a candidate for elimination alongside Georgie and Hazel.

Episode 3: Bread

The ten remaining bakers were asked to carry out three challenges. The Signature Challenge was to make twelve identical savoury buns which had to be from an enriched, yeast-based dough, but could be any flavour and any shape. The Technical Challenge let the bakers watch Paul Hollywood demonstrate the plaiting of seven strands of dough to form a wreath before they then repeated the exercise. The final Showstopper Challenge this week was to make a cornucopia, also called a 'horn of plenty', filled with at least two different types of bread.

BakerSignature
(Savoury Buns)
Technical
(Plaited Loaf)
Showstopper
(Bread Cornucopia Display)
Result
Andy'Maisie's Mini Salami' Savoury Buns3rd'New York, Neeeeeeew Yoooork' Cornucopia
ChristiaanMushroom and Sage Pesto Savoury Buns8th'Wildflower Delights' Cornucopia
DylanGochujang & Garlic Savoury Buns10th'Cat' Cornucopia
Georgie'Pesto Brunch' Savoury Buns7th'My Favourite Things' Cornucopia
GillBury Black Pudding Savoury Buns5th'All Day Holiday' Cornucopia
IlliyinJamaican Brown Chicken Savoury Buns4thBread Cornucopia
John'Yamas!' Savoury Buns9th'Horn of Pride' Cornucopia
Mike'Baaa-o' Savoury Buns6th'Zeus’s Horn' Cornucopia
Nelly'Ethnic Harmony' Savoury Buns1stCornucopia
Sumayah'Sunflower' Savoury Buns2nd'Friendship & Family' Cornucopia

Episode 4: Caramel

The nine remaining bakers tackled caramel this week throughout the three challenges. For the signature challenge, the bakers were asked to make 12 identical caramel biscuits. For the technical challenge, they were tasked with making a classic pear tarte tatin. For the showstopper, the challenge was to make a caramel mousse with at least two types of caramel.

BakerSignature
(12 Caramel Biscuits)
Technical
(Pear Tarte Tatin)
Showstopper
(Caramel Mousse Cake)
Result
Andy'A Bit Of A Fix' Caramel Biscuits 9th'Lonely Tree' Mousse Cake
Christiaan'Spiced Nut Stroopwafels' Caramel Biscuits 2nd'Tropicaramel' Mousse Cake
Dylan'Oats With Pineapple' Caramel Biscuits 5thLemon Honey & Ginger Mousse Cake
Georgie'Favourite Chocolate Bar' Caramel Biscuits 1st'Glass Rose Mirror' Mousse Cake
Gill'Fruit and Nut Millionaire' Caramel Biscuits 8th'Sticky Toffee' Mousse Cake
Illiyin'Almond Florentine' Caramel Biscuits 4thCaramel And White Chocolate Mousse Cake
Mike'Dad's Favourite' Caramel Biscuits7thCoffee Popcorn Mousse Cake
Nelly'Good Old Times' Caramel Biscuits6th'Behind Every Great Woman' Mousse Cake
SumayahSesame Hibiscus Caramel Biscuits 3rd'Banoffee Pecan' Mousse Cake

Episode 5: Pastry

BakerSignature
(12 Frangipane Tarts)
Technical
(Spanakopita)
Showstopper
(Paris-Brest)
Result
Andy'Nan's Sweets' Frangipane Tarts7th'All You Need Is Love' Paris-Brest
ChristiaanCashew & Black Sesame Frangipane Tarts2ndOrange & Pecan Paris-Brest
DylanCoffee and Dark Chocolate Frangipane Tarts1st'Contrasts of Tea' Paris-Brest
Georgie'Almond Bakewell' Frangipane Tarts6thPistachio and Raspberry Paris-Brest
GillPistachio & Blueberry Frangipane Tarts8thLemon & Thyme Paris-Brest
Illiyin'Taste of the Tropics' Frangipane Tarts5th'Crown of Nuttiness' Paris-Brest
Nelly'Iceberg' Frangipane Tarts3rdPistachio Paris-Brest
SumayahRaspberry & Coconut Frangipane Tarts4th'Tree of Life' Paris-Brest

Episode 6: Autumn

The seven remaining bakers faced three challenges themed around autumn. For the signature, they had 2 hours and 45 minutes to make a decorative pie with autumnal flavours. The technical recipe was Prue Leith's vegan adaptation of a traditional parkin; the bakers had an hour and a half to complete the challenge. The showstopper required them to produce elaborate vegetable cakes themed around an autumn festival.

BakerSignature
(Autumnal Pie)
Technical
(Vegan Parkin)
Showstopper
(Autumnal Festival Cake)
Result
Christiaan'Forest Cano-Pie'6th'Roots of Samhain' Cake
DylanAutumnal Apple Pie4thDiwali Cake
GeorgiePumpkin & Pecan Pie2nd'Tree Trunk Scene' Cake
GillBlackberry & Apple 'Windy Day' Pie7thBonfire 'Parrot' Cake
IlliyinAutumnal Fruit Pie1st'Day of the Dead' Cake
Nelly‘Out in Nature’ Pie5th'Woman in Autumn' Cake
SumayahButternut & Pecan Pie3rd'Autumn Leaves' Harvest Cake

Episode 7: Desserts

The six remaining bakers were tested on their dessert-making skills. The signature challenge was for eight mini meringue nests with two fillings, to be completed in two and a quarter hours. For the technical, Prue Leith tasked the contestants with making a traditional English pudding: the spotted dick. The showstopper asked the bakers to put their own spin on a classic Italian tiramisu; they had four and a half hours to complete this challenge.

BakerSignature
(8 Meringue Nests)
Technical
(Spotted Dick)
Showstopper
(Tiramisu)
Result
Christiaan'Smell The Roses' Meringue Nests 3rd'Memphis Milano' Tiramisu
Dylan'Coconut Illusion' Meringue Nests 1st'Concrete Box' Tiramisu
Georgie'Aunty Meryl's' Plum Meringue Nests 2nd'Old Italian' Tiramisu
Gill'Just Peachy' Meringue Nests 4th'Coconut Latte Charlotte Russe' Tiramisu
IlliyinPiña Colada Meringue Nests 5th'Jewelry Box' Tiramisu
Sumayah'Pomegranate & Plenty More' Meringue Nests 6th'Batik Mousse Cake' Tiramisu

Episode 8: The '70s (Quarterfinals)

In the quarterfinal, the five remaining bakers were given three retro challenges, taking them back to the 1970s. The signature required them to create a decorative stack of at least 30 profiteroles. The technical was Paul Hollywood's banoffee pie. Although the bakers were given ingredient measures, they did not have any instructions for how to make the pie. The showstopper challenge was to make a '70s-style tiered gateau.

BakerSignature
(Profiterole Stack)
Technical
(Banoffee Pie)
Showstopper
('70s Gateau)
Result
Christiaan'I Got Choux Babe' Profiterole Stack2ndLemon, Hazelnut and Advocaat '70s Gâteau
Dylan'Sci-Fi' Profiterole Stack3rdMint Chocolate '70s Gâteau
Georgie'Tribute to Freddie' Profiterole Stack1stVintage Black Forest '70s Gâteau
Gill'70s Christmas Tree' Profiterole Stack5th'Geoff's Cafe' '70s Gâteau
Illiyin'Ode to the '70s Afro' Profiterole Stack4th'Peach Melba' '70s Gâteau

Episode 9: Patisserie (Semifinal)

BakerSignature
(Breakfast Pastries)
Technical
(Opera Cake)
Showstopper
(Fruit-Shaped Entremets)
Result
ChristiaanRhubarb and Saffron Danish & Za‘atar and Gruyère Swirls3rd'Sorrento Citrus' Entremets
DylanHazelnut & Cinnamon Croissants1stAvocado and Orange Entremets
GeorgieCoffee and Hazelnut Pinwheels & Chocolate Pain Suisse4th'Market Box Fruits' Entremets
Gill'Pain Au Sausage Sandwich' and Banana & Custard Pastries2nd'Pick Your Own Car Keys' Entremets

Episode 10: Final

BakerSignature
(Scones)
Technical
(Afternoon Tea Display)
Showstopper
(Hanging Cake)
Result
ChristiaanCurry & Coconut Scones 1st'Sculpted Summer' Hanging Cake
DylanStrawberry & Salmon Scones3rd'Colours of Murano' Hanging Cake
Georgie'Afternoon Tea' Scones2nd'Summer Garden Celebration' Hanging Cake

Specials

Two specials were commissioned for the festive season:[18]

The Great Christmas Bake Off

The Great Christmas Bake Off will feature soap opera stars Chris Bisson, Natalie Cassidy, Dean Gaffney, Shobna Gulati and Sheree Murphy.

The Great New Year Bake Off

The Great New Year Bake Off will feature Lea Harris from Series 1, Series 3 runner-up James Morton, Norman Calder from Series 5, Series 11 winner Peter Sawkins, Kevin Flynn from Series 13, and Nicky Laceby from Series 14.

Ratings

The first episode of the 15th series was watched by 3.6 million viewers according to overnight figures, down from the 4.3 million of 2023.[19]

Episode
no.
Airdate7-day viewers
(millions)
Channel 4
weekly ranking
Weekly ranking
all channels[20]
16.6213
26.5213
36.5013
46.4114
56.3214
66.1414
76.4313
8
9
10

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Great British Bake Off 2024: Meet all 12 contestants in this year’s competition . . 24 September 2024 . en . 17 September 2024.
  2. Web site: Instagram . 2024-11-27 . www.instagram.com.
  3. Web site: The Great British Bake Off Series 15 - Meet the Bakers . . 24 September 2024.
  4. Web site: Who is Andy? Great British Bake Off 2024 contestant and mechanic . . 24 September 2024.
  5. Web site: Who is Christiaan? Meet Great British Bake Off 2024 contestant and designer . . 24 September 2024.
  6. Web site: Who is? Dylan, Great British Bake Off 2024 contestant and retail assistant . . 24 September 2024.
  7. News: Annemarie . Conte . The Captain Jack Sparrow of Baking . October 21, 2024 . The New York Times . subscription . 2024-11-06.
  8. Web site: Who is Georgie? Great British Bake Off 2024 contestant and nurse . . 24 September 2024.
  9. Web site: Who is Gill? Great British Bake Off 2024 contestant and manager . . 24 September 2024.
  10. Web site: Who is Hazel? Meet Great British Bake Off 2024 contestant with a 'competitive streak' . . 24 September 2024.
  11. Web site: Who is Illiyin? Meet Great British Bake Off 2024 contestant and midwife . . 24 September 2024.
  12. Web site: Who is Jeff? Great British Bake Off 2024 contestant and former university lecturer . . 24 September 2024.
  13. Web site: Who is John? Meet Great British Bake Off 2024 contestant and support manager . . 24 September 2024.
  14. Web site: Who is Mike? Meet Great British Bake Off 2024 contestant and farm manager . . 24 September 2024.
  15. Web site: Who is Nelly? Meet Great British Bake Off 2024 contestant who is completely self-taught . . 24 September 2024.
  16. Web site: Who is Sumayah? Meet Great British Bake Off 2024 contestant and student . . 24 September 2024.
  17. Web site: Gilbert . Gerard . On TV tonight, Bake Off 2024 kicks off with cake week . . 24 September 2024 . en . 24 September 2024.
  18. Web site: Bake Off confirms soaps special with Christmas and New Year lineups. 15 November 2024. Digital Spy. 15 November 2024.
  19. News: 'Bake Off has gone off the boil. Is it time to give it a rest?' . Scott . Bryan . Yahoo! Entertainment . 1 October 2024.
  20. Web site: Weekly top 50 shows. Broadcasters' Audience Research Board.