The Bristol people behind the Bake Off magic

Just in case you’d missed the news The Great British Bake Off is back on our screens.

When you wake up and realise Bake Off is back on the telly tonight… #GBBO pic.twitter.com/rnVMKaorjg

— British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) August 24, 2016

Some of the most creative people in Bristol have helped develop the phenomenally successful show.

Tom Hovey

The Totterdown artist and illustrator has created 1000 animated illustrations for The Great British Bake Off since it began back in 2010.

Hope everyone is getting excited about cake. #GBBO

— Tom Hovey (@tomhoveyart) August 23, 2016

His artistic talents have also been featured in a number of spin-off shows such as Junior Bake Off and Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood’s Master Classes. 

After each contestant has created their masterpiece Tom gets sent the photos and then has up to two weeks to provide his familiar pen and ink drawings for each episode.

Love Productions

Love Productions, based in Cotham Hill, is the production company behind The Great British Bake Off.

It is the morning of the 24th which can only mean one thing… It is the day the Bake Off returns! @BBCOne tonight at 8pm, be there!

— Love Productions (@LoveProdHouse) August 24, 2016

Creative director Kieran Smith is executive producer for series seven of GBBO. He began his television career as a researcher in 1999 working at BBC Bristol on 999.  

The company has offices in Bristol, London, and Los Angeles and its success making shows including The Great British Sewing Bee, Famous Rich and Homeless and Make Bradford British saw it strike a multi-million pound deal with Sky earlier this year.

Contestants 

We can bake this bread together
Standing strong forever
Muffin’s gonna stop us now.#GBBO. Tonight. 8pm. pic.twitter.com/EusNH6Gl9C

— British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) August 24, 2016

With all our food credentials you’d think someone from Bristol would have a baking chance at winning the coveted crown.

However, Ryan Chong has been our only Bristol-based contestant so far. The 43-year-old wedding photographer appeared on the third series and made it to round seven.

The father of two failed to impress Bake Off judges, Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood with his donuts – but he’s still baking.

Easy salt caramelised pear tart made with the children pic.twitter.com/uc1cxaAqId

— Ryan Chong (@RyanChongUK) January 24, 2016

It may not be that surprising that it’s very hard to get on the show.

More than 12,000 people apply to be on GBBO each year, 300 to 400 are invited for a screen test, and these are whittled down to 60 for a mock technical challenge before the final 12 are selected.

No Bristol contestants to cheer for this year but Val (above right) comes for Yeovil

This year our closest contestant is 66-year-old Val from Yeovil.

The former primary school headteacher took over her family’s baking aged 15 and says she can make the classics with her eyes closed. 

The location

Seasons three and four of Bake Off were filmed at Harptree Court in Somerset, just the other side of Chew Valley Lake from Bristol.

The marquee sat in the garden, while the house – a luxury B&B – acted as a production office, catering hub and green room while filming was taking place

“It sounds twee,” owner Linda Hill told the Telegraph, “but everyone mixes in together and the cast, contestants and talent are like a huge extended family while they’re here.

“Everyone’s always in the kitchen, there’s lots of hugs and cups of tea. We make sure we look after them.”

Read more: Bristol’s secret Bake Off ingredient