The Great British Bake Off 2021 line-up: Meet the contestants

Ready, set, BAKE(RS)!

By Grace Henry

Published: Tuesday, 14 September 2021 at 12:00 am

Get ready to see a brand new batch of bakers showing off their culinary skills when The Great British Bake Off returns to Channel 4 this month.

The Bake Off 2021 start date was recently confirmed for Tuesday, 21st September, with the show airing in its usual 8pm slot, and now, the Great British Bake Off 2021 line-up has been revealed, including 12 amateur chefs ready to earn those Star Baker titles and Hollywood Handshakes.

From a Met Police detective to a 19-year-old psychology student, and retired nurse and midwife, meet all the contestants in the Great British Bake Off 2021 line-up.

Amanda

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Great British Bake Off 2021 contestant Amanda
Channel 4

Age: 56

From: London

Job: Met Police detective

Raised in London with Greek-Cypriot heritage, Amanda started baking with her mum when she was a child. She learned  specifically about Greek baking from her paternal auntie. Her style is generous and creative with Greek and Middle Eastern influences. She loves painting directly on to her cakes, often giving them a pretty, feminine aesthetic that’s inspired by her two daughters.

Away from baking, Amanda studied graphic design at college and worked in advertising before moving to the Metropolitan Police to train as a detective.

Chigs

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Great British Bake Off 2021 contestant Chigs
Channel 4

Age: 40

From: Leicestershire

Job: Sales Manager

Chigs is quite new to the baking world, embarking on his journey at the start of lockdown in 2020. Through the help of online videos and tutorials, the sales manager has managed to teach himself how to produce complex bakes and intricate chocolate work, and he’s hoping it’ll be able to impress judges Paul and Prue! Chigs is quite the thrill seeker and loves a challenge – he relishes high-octane activities such as bouldering, skydiving and trekking. When he’s not baking or climbing, you’ll find him spending time with his nephews who he adores.

Crystelle

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Great British Bake Off 2021 contestant Crystelle
Channel 4

Age: 26

From: London

Job: Client Relationship Manager

Born in northwest London to Kenyan-born, Portuguese-Goan parents, quadrilingual Crystelle is a baker who brings her wonderfully diverse heritage to her baking. She began baking seriously only three years ago and loves fusing spices from the places she’s visited into her bakes – a fougasse infused with turmeric, curry powder and spring onion is a firm favourite. Crystelle is also an enthusiastic singer, having kept herself busy over lockdown with her online choir.

Freya

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Great British Bake Off 2021 contestant Freya
Channel 4

Age: 19

From: North Yorkshire

Job: Student

Ever since the first series of Bake Off aired back in 2010, when Freya was just nine-years-old, she has dreamt of going on the show. Now, she’ll get to show off her baking skills, which includes making plant-based versions of classic bakes, which she started making for her dad a year ago.  Her goal is to bake so that no one can tell the results are vegan.

Work wise, Freya is currently studying for a psychology degree, and she lives at home with her parents so that she can continue to care for her horse, Winnie, while she’s at university. 

George

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Great British Bake Off 2021 contestant George
Channel 4

Age: 34

From: London

Job: Shared Lives Co-ordinator

Food was always a big part of family life for George, who grew up in a close-knit Greek-Cypriot family. Now married to his childhood sweetheart, he has three children and a house full of animals, including a dancing Japanese Spitz, called Eli. His mum taught him to bake, which is a a legacy he’s now passing on to his own children. George loves all the Greek classics, and his has a keen eye for detail and perfection in the finished presentation.

When George isn’t baking, gardening or looking after his miniature zoo, he will be in the great outdoors with his family, on bike rides and walks.

Giuseppe

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Great British Bake Off 2021 contestant Giuseppe
Channel 4

Age: 45

From: Bristol

Job: Chief Engineer

Originally from Italy, Giuseppe now lives in Bristol with his wife and their three young sons. As a self-confessed “food snob” Giuseppe is determined to feed his children homemade confectionary, rather than anything that’s been mass-produced. His love for baking comes from his father, a professional chef who did all the cooking at home as Giuseppe was growing up, including making a cake every Sunday. He loves using Italian flavours in his bakes, while he also brings his engineer’s precision to the results.

Jairzeno

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Great British Bake Off 2021 contestant Jairzeno
Channel 4

Age: 51

From: London

Job: Head of Finance

“Baking is like breathing,” for Trinidadian-born Jairzeno. He started baking in 2014, after becoming disillusioned with delicious-looking bakes that just didn’t deliver on flavour. In his own baking, he emphasises on rich flavours, with guava and chocolate being a firm favourite. He also using lots of Caribbean spices, and aims for the perfect pâtissérie finish.

Jürgen

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Great British Bake Off 2021 contestant Jurgen
Channel 4

Age: 56

From: Sussex

Job: IT Professional

Originally from the Black Forest in Germany, Jürgen moved to the UK in 2003 and now lives with his wife and son. As he was unable to find traditional German bread in his adopted home, Jürgen decided to bake his own – and his passion for baking has grown ever since. He is particularly well-known for his Jewish challah bread, and for the celebration cakes that he loves to bake for friends and family.

Lizzie

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Great British Bake Off 2021 contestant Lizzie
Channel 4

Age: 28

From: Liverpool

Job: Car Production Operative

Lizzie lives with her partner and their dog, Prudence, in an annex in her parents’ garden. She’s a baker who prefers simple presentation, and believes in flavour and quantity over precision. Her baking comfort zone is cake, but she loves experimenting with flavour and is generally prepared to give anything a go… as long as it doesn’t involve putting cheese in bread, which she thinks can only lead to disaster.

Maggie

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Great British Bake Off 2021 contestant Maggie
Channel 4

Age: 70

From: Dorset

Job: Retired Nurse & Midwife

Having grown up surrounded by family who constantly cooked and baked, baking came naturally to Maggie. She has an impressive collection of classic recipe books and loves recreating traditional bakes, but also likes to experiment with new and exciting flavours. As a retired midwife, Maggie believes the excitement of delivering a baby can only be excellent preparation for taking part in Bake Off!

Rochica

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Great British Bake Off 2021 contestant Rochica
Channel 4

Age: 27

From: Birmingham

Job: Junior HR Business Partner

Coming from a big Jamaican family, Rochica bakes in a way that reflects her Caribbean heritage, with flavour, passion and love. She always is especially proud when her nan and aunties tell her she has baked a cake that reminds them of the treats they grew up with. Rochica’s interest in baking developed when she was left unable to dance due to an injury. Although she has started dancing again, she still finds plenty of time and reasons to bake!

Tom

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Great British Bake Off 2021 contestant Tom
Channel 4

Age: 28

From: Kent

Job: Software Developer

Tom discovered his true passion for baking a mere four years ago, when he made his dad a sticky toffee pudding cake. Now he bakes several times a week, rustling up everything from pies and quiches to bread. While some might follow the recipe, Tom likes to take the foundations of a basic recipe and make it his own, creating bakes that are fun and often follow a theme. Away from his stand mixer, Tom works for the family software company. He also loves amateur dramatics, singing, and he’s a keen runner.

The Great British Bake Off returns to Channel 4 on Tuesday, 21st September at 8pm. Looking for something else to watch? Check out our TV Guide or visit our hub for more Entertainment news.