The famous white tent is about to reopen for a new crop of budding bakers as The Great British Baking Show will return for collection 14 on Netflix this week.“Bake Off is back: Tuesday 22nd September. 8pm. Channel 4.”
That came from the show’s official Instagram account, but since Channel 4 refers to the BBC, we’ll just look for it on Netflix, a few days later (officially Friday, September 25) as usual.
But as Delish reports, this isn’t just another trip back into the tent. It’ll be the first regular season with Nigella Lawson at the judging table after Prue Leith stepped down in January. Nigella joins “blue steel” Paul Hollywood, while the fabulous duo of Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond are both back as hosts.
On her own Instagram account, Lawson wrote, “I’m a bit nervous, very excited, and extremely happy: Bake Off is back on our screens next month! I’ve loved every minute. It’s a real honour to be part of something so special.” She also thanked fellow judge Paul Hollywood, as well as hosts Hammond and Fielding, “for making me feel so instantly part of the family. You three plus cake: talk about the dream job!”
We’ve already met the people they’ll be putting through pastry-related emotional distress, too. The show’s announced “Class of 2026” includes 12 new bakers: Clara, Connie, Danni, Gabe, Gary, Mo, Molly, Moyin, Nikki, Shannon, Tom and Yannis.
On the Bake Off Instagram account, Hammond posted, “I’m so excited for you all to meet this year’s brilliant bakers. They’ve brought the talent, the laughs, the nerves and, of course, some absolutely gorgeous bakes into the tent! We’ve had the BEST time filming this series, and I genuinely can’t wait for you to see what we’ve got in store. No spoilers from me though…”
A new trailer released Sept. 16 offers the first glimpse at what’s ahead—and from it looks like there are plenty of impressive bakes and tense moments. “You’ve got to shine like you’ve never shined before,” Hammond tells the contestants in the preview.
So, for all you fans at home, ready, set, BAKE!
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Photo Credit: Cubankite / Shutterstock.com
