The Great British Bake Off (series 2)

The Great British Bake Off
Series 2
Photo of Sue and Mel and contestants of the second series
Starring	Mel Giedroyc Sue Perkins Mary Berry Paul Hollywood
Country of origin	United Kingdom
No. of episodes	8
Release
Original network	BBC Two
Original release	14 August (2011-08-14) – 4 October 2011 (2011-10-04)
Series chronology
← Previous Series 1 Next → Series 3

The second series of The Great British Bake Off started 14 August 2011 with twelve amateur bakers. Unlike series one, the competition was held in a single location – the grounds of Valentines Mansion, a 17th-century mansion house in Redbridge.^[1] In addition to their on-screen presenting, Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins also took over the narration, which had been done by Stephen Noonan for the previous series. Series two also introduced the "star baker" award for the most impressive performer each week.

Three and a half thousand people applied for the competition, and twelve were selected. Each episode was filmed over two fourteen-hour days.^[2] The competition was won by Joanne Wheatley.^[3]

Bakers[]

Baker	Age	Occupation	Hometown
Ben Frazer	31	Graphic Designer	Northampton
Holly Bell	31	Advertising executive	Leicester
Ian Vallance	40	Fundraiser for English Heritage	Dunstable, Bedfordshire
Janet Basu	63	Teacher of Modern Languages	Formby, Liverpool
Jason White	19	Civil Engineering Student	Croydon
Joanne "Jo" Wheatley	41	Housewife	Ongar, Essex
Keith Batsford	31	House husband	Arlesey, Bedfordshire
Mary-Anne Boermans	45	Housewife	Kidderminster, Worcestershire
Robert Billington	25	Photographer	London
Simon Blackwell	31	Rugby Coach	Norfolk
Urvashi Roe	40	Head of Marketing	Enfield, London
Yasmin Limbert	43	Childminder	West Kirby, The Wirral

Results summary[]

Elimination chart
Baker	1	2	3	4	5	6	7[1]	8
Jo						SB		WINNER
Holly	SB			SB				Runner-up
Mary-Anne								Runner-up
Janet					SB		OUT
Yasmin			SB			OUT
Jason		SB		SB	OUT
Robert					OUT
Ben				OUT
Ian			OUT
Urvashi			OUT
Simon		OUT
Keith	OUT

^[1] There was no Star Baker this week, as Paul and Mary felt it wouldn't be right to single out one baker when the results were incredibly close.

Colour key:

  Baker got through to the next round.

  Baker was eliminated.

  Baker was one of the judges' least favourite bakers that week, but was not eliminated.

  Baker was the Star Baker.

  Baker was one of the judges' favourite bakers that week, but did not win star baker.

  Baker was the series runner-up.

  Baker was the series winner.

Episodes[]

  Baker eliminated   Star Baker   Winner

Episode 1: Cakes[]

For their first challenge, the bakers were asked to bake 24 cupcakes in two hours. They were allowed to make two different types of cupcakes. For the technical challenge, the bakers were asked to bake a Coffee and Walnut Battenburg cake using Mary Berry's recipe in two hours. The cake needed to have the perfect sponge which held its form (perfect symmetry), distinguish flavours, and a smooth exterior. For the showstopper, the bakers were asked to bake a chocolate tiered celebration cake with elaborate, multi-layer design in five hours.

Baker	Signature (24 Cupcakes)	Technical (Coffee and Walnut Battenberg)	Showstopper (Chocolate Tiered Cake)
Ben	Rhubarb and Custard Cupcakes After Dinner Cupcakes	2nd	Vanilla Sponge with White Chocolate and Raspberry Buttercream
Holly	Cherry Bakewell Inspired Cupcakes Ginger Cupcakes with Fig Truffle	1st	Novelty Farm Cake
Ian	Apple and Cinnamon Cupcakes	10th
Janet	Raspberry and Cream Cupcakes	8th	Chocolate Marble Cake with Dark and White Chocolate Truffles
Jason	Lemon Meringue Cupcakes Apple and Cinnamon Cupcakes	6th
Jo	Chocolate Orange Cupcakes Orange and Cardamom Cupcakes	11th	Chocolate and Strawberry Cake
Keith	Earl Grey Cupcakes	12th	Chocolate and Sour Cream Cake
Mary-Anne	Banoffee Cupcakes	4th	Chocolate and Raspberry Opera Cake
Robert	Blackberry and Vanilla Cupcakes with Liquorice Frosting	3rd	Genoise Layered Mousse Cake with Chocolate Ganache
Simon	Guinness and Chocolate Cupcakes	9th	Two-Tiered Chocolate Courgette Cake
Urvashi	Cherry Blossom Cupcakes Japanese Lime Cupcakes	7th	Orange Blossom Celebration Cake
Yasmin	Cardamom and Pomegranate Cupcakes	5th

During the Showstopper round, Rob accidentally dropped his cake.

Episode 2: Tarts[]

For the signature bake, the bakers were asked to bake a savory Quiche in 2 hours. For the technical challenge, the bakers were asked to bake a Tarte au Citron using Mary's recipe in 1 1/2 hours. For the showstopper, the bakers were asked to bake 24 mini sweet tarts.

Baker	Signature (Quiche)	Technical (Tarte au Citron)	Showstopper (24 Miniature Sweet Tarts)
Ben	Chorizo, Pepper and Gruyere Quiche	1st	Lemon Meringue Tarts
Holly	Pesto Quiche	4th	Milk Chocolate and Pistachio Tarts Trifle Tarts
Ian	Stilton, Spinach and New Potato Quiche with Paprika and Walnut Pastry	2nd
Janet	Quiche Printanière	8th	Red Fruit Tarts Chocolate and Cherry Tarts
Jason	Salmon and Pak Choi Quiche	3rd	Mint Chocolate Tarts Blueberry Bakewell Tarts
Jo	Caramelised Onion, Gruyere and Thyme Quiche	10th	Raspberry and Mascarpone Tarts with Lemon and Almond Pastry Honey and Almond Tarts with Sweetcrust
Mary-Anne	Roasted Cauliflower, Cheese and Caramelised Onion Quiche	9th	Butterscotch Brulée Tarts in Pecan Pastry Apple Rose Tarts
Robert	Smoked Bacon and Kale Quiche	5th	Chocolate, Fennel and Ginger Tart Almond, and Poached Pear Tart
Simon	Smoked Haddock and Watercress Quiche	11th	Passion Fruit and Ricotta Tarts Salted Chocolate, Stem Ginger and Mascarpone Cream Tarts
Urvashi	Crab, Coriander and Coconut Quiche	7th	Strawberry and Basil Tarts Elderflower and Honeycomb Tarts
Yasmin	Smoked Haddock and Watercress Quiche	6th	Chocolate and Orange with Cinnamon-Orange Pastry Tarts Blueberry and Hazelnut with Hazelnut Pastry Tarts

Episode 3: Bread[]

For their signature bake, the bakers were asked to bake a free formed flavored loaf (not using a tin) in 3 ¼ hours. For the technical challenge, the bakers were given 3 1/2 hours to bake a Focaccia, using Paul's recipe. For the showstopper, the bakers were asked to bake 2 displays. One display is to make a basket out of bread. The second display is to make 12 sweet and 12 savory rolls. They had 5 hours.

Baker	Signature (Free Form Loaf)	Technical (Focaccia)	Showstopper (12 sweet and 12 savoury rolls)
Ben	Walnut, Raisin and Rosemary Loaf	3rd
Holly	Picnic Loaf	6th	Stilton and Walnut Rolls
Ian	Courgette, Caerphilly Cheese and Thyme Loaf	10th	Walnut and Raisin Rolls Cracked Wheat Logs
Janet	Zupfe Loaf with Gruyère Cheese	8th	Apple and Walnut Granary Rolls Red Onion Cottage Rolls
Jason	Cheese and Onion Tear and Share Loaf	7th
Jo	Ham, Mozzarella and Picante Pepper Stromboli	1st
Mary-Anne	Ploughman's Loaf	5th	Herb and Walnut Breads Chocolate and Chilli Buns
Robert	Rye and Coriander Seed Loaf	4th	Blueberry Brioche Rolls Lemon and Poppy Seed Rolls
Urvashi	Salt and Peppercorn Loaf	9th	Chilli and Halloumi Rolls Lemon and Coriander Mini Loaves
Yasmin	Egyptian Dukkah Loaf with Mixed Spices	2nd	Pesto Bread Sweet Coconut Rolls

In this episode, two bakers were eliminated rather than one baker.

Episode 4: Biscuits[]

For the signature bake, the bakers were give 1 1/2 hours to make 12 biscuits. The biscuits should not be too hard or too crumbly. For the technical challenge, the bakers were given 1 1/2 hours to bake 24 brandy snaps. For the showstopper, the bakers were asked to bake a macaron display. They need 3 different flavors, bake 120 of them, and had 5 hours to complete it.

Baker	Signature (12 Biscuits)	Technical (24 Brandy Snaps)	Showstopper (Macarons)
Ben	Stem Ginger Nuts	5th	Chocolate and Almond Macarons Pine Nut Macarons Pistachio Macarons
Holly	Strawberry and Custard Melts	3rd	'Chocolate bars of my youth' (Caramel Macarons, Mint Chocolate Macarons and Chocolate Orange Macarons)
Janet	Christmas Marzipan Biscuits	4th	Raspberry Macarons Blackcurrant Macarons Almond Macarons
Jason	Lebkuchen	1st	Mocktail Macarons (Mojito, Cranberry Cooler, and Pina Colada)
Jo	Lavender Biscuits	8th	Blueberry Macarons Coconut Macarons Strawberry Macarons
Mary-Anne	Melting Moments	2nd	Blackcurrant and Mint Macarons Gooseberry and Elderflower Macarons Hazelnut Macarons
Robert	Chocolate and Ginger Oat Biscuits	7th	Strawberry and Lime Macarons Lemon Macarons Chocolate and Cardamom Macarons
Yasmin	Chocolate Chip and Pistachio Biscotti	6th	Chocolate and Lime Macarons Coffee and Walnut Macarons Pineapple and Coconut Macarons

Episode 5: Pies[]

For the signature, the bakers were asked to bake a family pie with either a ruff puff pastry or flaky pastry in 2 1/2 hours. For the technical challenge, the bakers were asked to bake a batch of 6 miniature pork pies in 2 1/2 hours using Paul's recipe. The technical was a 2 day bake challenge, so the bakers were judged the next day. For the showstopper, the bakers were asked to bake a meringue pie—a fruit and/or custard pie topped with meringue, in 3 ½ hours.

Baker	Signature (Family Pie)	Technical (6 Miniature Pork Pie)	Showstopper (Meringue Pie)
Holly	Stilton, Potato and Caramelised Onion Pie	4th	Lime Meringue Pie
Janet	Chicken and Chestnut Pie	1st	Rhubarb Meringue Pie
Jason	Brown Down Chicken Pie	7th	Plum Meringue Pie
Jo	Salmon and Asparagus Pie	6th	Apple and Raspberry Meringue Pie
Mary-Anne	Chicken and Bacon Pie	2nd	Midnight Meringue Pie
Robert	Chicken and Mushroom Pie	3rd	Rhubarb & Custard Meringue Pie
Yasmin	Family Fish Pie	5th	Peach and Raspberry Meringue Pie

Once again, in this episode, two bakers were eliminated instead of one baker.

Episode 6: Desserts[]

For the signature bake, the bakers were asked to bake a cheesecake in 2 1/2 hours. For the technical challenge, the bakers were asked to bake a chocolate roulade in 1 3/4 hours using Mary's recipe. For the showstopper, the bakers were asked to create a Croquembouche-inspired bake in 5 hours.

Baker	Signature (Baked Cheesecake)	Technical (Chocolate Roulade)	Showstopper (Croquembouche)
Holly	Father Christmas' Baked Cheesecake	3rd	Hansel and Gretel's Croquembouche
Janet	Rhubarb and Ginger Baked Cheesecake	5th	Orange and Nougatine Croquembouche
Jo	Rum and Raisin Baked Cheesecake	1st	Limoncello and White Chocolate Croquembouche
Mary-Anne	Tutti Fruitti Curd Baked Cheesecake	4th	Orange and Praline Croquembouche with Cardamom Caramel
Yasmin	Baked Amaretto Cheesecake	2nd	Rose Croquembouche

Episode 7: Pâtisserie (Semi-final)[]

For the signature bake, the semi finalists were asked to bake a layered mousse cake in 2 hours, with the judges seeking a light sponge and a rich mousse. For the technical challenge, the bakers were asked to bake 12 identical Iced Fingers. Using Paul's recipe, they were to be filled with cream and jam. For the showstopper, the bakers were asked to bake 3 types of pastries. The bakers had to use the same dough — which must be crisp on the outside and soft on the inside — for all three.

Baker	Signature (Layered Mousse Cake)	Technical (12 Iced Fingers)	Showstopper (3 Different Types of Pastries or Croissants)
Holly	White Chocolate, Hazelnut and Raspberry Génoise Mousse Cake	1st	Apricot, Macadamia and White Chocolate Pinwheels Almond Croissants Apple, Raisin and Cinnamon Plaits
Janet	Chocolate Amaretto Mousse Cake	4th	Pain Aux Raisin Plain Croissant Pain Au Chocolat
Jo	Raspberry & Strawberry Mousse Cake	3rd	Pain Aux Raisin Chocolate Twists Banana and Raisin Pastries
Mary-Anne	Chocolate and Orange Mousse Cake	2nd	Raspberry Rose Danishes Praline Spirals Alsatian Plaited Danishes

In this episode, none of the bakers were individually highlighted as Star Baker, as the judges decided all four deserved commendation for reaching the semi-final.

Episode 8: Final[]

For their final signature bake, the finalists were asked to bake 12 mille-feuille in 2 1/2 hours. For the technical challenge, the bakers were asked to bake a sachertorte in 2 hours and 40 minutes. For their final showstopper, the bakers were asked to bake 3 different types of petits fours: Meringue, Sweet Pastry, and Sponge Based, within 4 hours.

Baker	Signature (12 Mille-Feuille)	Technical (Sachertorte)	Showstopper (Petits Fours)
Holly	Banoffee Inspired Mille Feuille	2nd	Strawberry and Cream Meringue Nest Gooseberry and Elderflower 'Bakewell' Tarts Neapolitan Ice-Cream Sandwich
Jo	Raspberry and Blueberry Mille Feuille	1st	Mini Victoria Sandwiches Raspberry, White Chocolate and Pistachio Mini Meringues Mini Banoffee Pie with Banana Mousse
Mary-Anne	Lemon and Ginger Mille Feuille	3rd	Fruit Tarts with Elderflower Custard Strawberry and Rhubarb Cheesecakes Black Fruit Meringue with Everlasting Syllabub

Extras and special episodes[]

Both episodes nine and ten were masterclasses by Paul and Mary, where they demonstrated how to make the Technical Challenges that they had set throughout the series. Episode nine showed the first four of the series; Coffee and walnut Battenberg, Tarte au Citron, Focaccia and Brandy Snaps. Episode ten showed the last four of the series; Pork pies, Chocolate roulade, Iced fingers and Sachertorte. Episode eleven went back and revisited the bakers from series one to catch up with the contestants.

Post-show career[]

Some of the contestants went on to a career in baking or had a change of career after appearing on the show.

Joanne Wheatley has written two bestselling books on baking, A Passion for Baking published on 16 May 2013,^[2] and Home Baking initially as a Sainsbury's exclusive. She writes a monthly column for Sainsbury's magazine and is a regular guest columnist for The Sun newspaper.^[4][5] She runs cookery courses from her home in Essex,^[6][7] and has appeared in various television programmes such as The Alan Titchmarsh Show and What's Cooking.^[8]

Holly Bell teaches baking classes and for a time worked as an occasional radio presenter on BBC Radio Leicester.^[9] She also appeared as a guest presenter on QVC shopping channel.^[10] She wrote an eBook called Ready, Steady, Bake! which was published on 5 July 2012,^[11] and published a book Recipes from a Normal Mum on 17 July 2014.^[12]

Mary-Anne Boermans wrote a book on baking, Great British Bakes: Forgotten Treasures for Modern Bakers, which was published on 7 November 2013.^[13]

Ratings[]

Official episode viewing figures are from BARB.^[14]

Episode no.	Airdate	Viewers (millions)	BBC Two weekly ranking
1	16 August 2011 (2011-08-16)	3.10	2
2	23 August 2011 (2011-08-23)	3.53	2
3	30 August 2011 (2011-08-30)	3.82	1
4	6 September 2011 (2011-09-06)	3.60	1
5	13 September 2011 (2011-09-13)	3.83	1
6	20 September 2011 (2011-09-20)	4.25	1
7	27 September 2011 (2011-09-27)	4.42	1
8	4 October 2011 (2011-10-04)	5.06	1

Specials[]

Episode no.	Airdate	Viewers (millions)	BBC Two weekly ranking
The Great British Bake Off Masterclass
1	6 October 2011 (2011-10-06)	2.32	6
2	13 October 2011 (2011-10-13)	2.14	9
The Great British Bake Off Revisited
	20 October 2011 (2011-10-20)	N/A	N/A

References[]

External links[]

• The Great British Bake Off at BBC Online