The Great British Bake Off (series 13)
The thirteenth series of The Great British Bake Off began on 13 September 2022. It is again presented by Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas and judged by Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith. The bakers competing in the series were announced on 2 September 2022. The series was filmed at Welford Park, an estate near Newbury, Berkshire which was previously used for the programme from 2014 to 2019. The season was won by Syabira Yusoff, with Abdul Rehman Sharif and Nelsandro "Sandro" Farmhouse finishing as the runners-up. Yusoff is the first female winner since Sophie Faldo from Season 8. This was the final series presented by Matt Lucas, who announced his departure from the programme on 6 December 2022. Bakers

Results summary 

 Abdul and Rebs were ill and unable to compete in episode 3; at the end of the episode, the judges decided it was unfair to eliminate anyone in their absence. Colour key:

Episodes

Episode 1: Cake 
For the first signature challenge, the bakers were required to bake 12 identical mini sandwich cakes in 2 hours. For the technical challenge, set by Paul, the bakers were tasked with making a six-layered red velvet cake in 2 hours, each layer sandwiched with cream cheese frosting and sprinkled with red crumbs. A 3D cake replica of a home that the bakers once lived in was set as the showstopper; the bakers were given 4 hours, the judges expecting the bake to be full of detail. Episode 2: Biscuits 
The signature bake was 18 Decorative macarons with a twist – they must be made to appear like something else. Two hours was given for the challenge. For the technical challenge, set by Prue, the bakers were given 1 hour and 45 minutes to bake 12 Garibaldi biscuits with feathered chocolate on top. A 3D biscuit mask to be completed in 4 hours was the showstopper challenge. Episode 3: Bread 
The bakers were set the task of making two sharing-size pizzas in 2 hours for the signature challenge. The technical challenge, set by Paul, was the baking of 12 pain aux raisins, to be completed in 2 hours and 45 minutes. Finally, for their 4½-hour showstopper, the bakers were asked to create their own interpretation of a Swedish celebration 'cake', the Smörgåstårta, topped with exquisite decorations. Both Abdul and Rebs did not compete due to falling ill. Consequently, no one was eliminated this week but the following week would be a double elimination. Episode 4: Mexican 
For their Signature task the bakers were asked to make 12 individual Pan dulce ("sweet bread" pastries) in 2 hours 30 minutes. Paul's Technical challenge required them to make 8 Mexican hand-pressed corn tacos and their fillings, in 2 hours. The Showstopper gave them 4 hours to make their own four-layer version of a Tres Leches Cake ('three-milk cake' -- a sponge cake soaked in three kinds of milk). Episode 5: Desserts 

For the signature the bakers had 2 hours to make 8 individual steamed puddings, with an accompaniment of their choice. Prue's technical challenge gave them 2 hours to bake her favorite classic lemon meringue pie. The showstopper challenge required the bakers to produce a three-element mousse-based dessert with a surprise inside, and including three other dessert elements, in 4 hours 30 minutes. Episode 6: Halloween 

In the program's first-ever Halloween Week, the Signature bake was a decorated Apple Cake, to be produced in 2 hours. The Technical challenge set by Paul gave them 2 hours to produce 8 toasted marshmallow and chocolate campfire snack S'mores. The 4 hour Showstopper challenge asked them to make a Halloween pinata hanging lantern filled with sweet treats. Episode 7: Custard 
The signature challenge gave the bakers 90 minutes to produce 8 Floating Islands. Prue set a technical challenge giving 2 hours 45 minutes to make 6 cones filled with pistachio and praline ice cream. The time-sensitive nature of the technical challenge required that the bakers' starting times be staggered (in order - Sandro, Janusz, Syabira, Maxy, Kevin, Abdul) and the judges taste each ice cream cone right after it was completed by the bakers. The showstopper challenge required them to bake a multi-layered gateau featuring a set custard, in 4 hours. Episode 8: Pastry 

The bakers produced a dozen vol-au-vents with a sweet (not the more common savory) filling in the 2 hour Signature challenge, The Technical challenge set by Paul required them to make eight crispy deep-fried spring rolls with a dipping sauce, in 1 hour 20 minutes. For the Showstopper they were asked to create a spectacular 3D pie scene inspired by favorite childhood story or nursery rhyme, consisteing of at least eight pies, all in 4 hours,

Episode 9: Pâtisserie (Semi-final)

In the Patisserie Week Signature challenge the semi-finalist bakers were asked to make six Mini Charlottes in 2½ hours. Prue's Technical challenge required they bake four precisely assembled shortcrust pastry vertical tarts in two hours. The Showstopper challenge was to make their own version of the Swedish Krokan multi-tiered almond biscuit dough creation in four hours. Viewers were in uproar over Janusz's elimination with TV regulator OFCOM receiving 157 complaints following the airing of the semi-final. Episode 10: Final 
The Signature challenge asked the finalists to produce a perfect picnic, using seasonal British ingredients to make six mini-cakes, six individual vegetarian pies, and six finger sandwiches (first making a classic white bread loaf), in 3 hours. Paul set the Technical challenge, allowing 2 hours to make a Summer pudding bombe. For the outer shell of their bombe, the bakers were given the unused white bread loaf they baked from their signature challenge. For the 4½-hour Showstopper, they needed to make a large edible sculpture on the theme of "Our Beautiful Planet" that consisted of a large cake base and demonstrating three additional baking skills. Reception 
Fans on social media criticised the thirteenth series, including the following aspects of the final week: time limit as too short, tasks as heavily complex within time allowed, bakes as short on quality, and judges' perceived overly negative comments. Besides what fans noted, Nicola Austin of Digital Spy further criticised the series's Technical challenges as the production's intentions for amateur bakers "to fail", highlight one-step instruction, "Make a lemon meringue pie", for week five's (Dessert) "Lemon Meringue Pie"; and lack of instructions to properly use vegetarian gelatin for the finale's "Summer Pudding Bombe". Austin further stated, "[M]uch of the judges' precise specifications, timings and presentation requirements now lean more towards professional standards," different from what Bake Off initially intended to be. She further criticised the series's "stereotypical presentation of Mexican culture" in episode five and other "faux pas on display", like Halloween-themed bakes in episode six and spring rolls as a Technical challenge. In response to the fan backlash, especially toward the Mexican Week, the producers' decision not to produce nationality-themed challenges for the following fourteenth series was made although this was met with further backlash from TV chef Antony Worrall Thompson. Ratings

References 

2022 British television seasons
Series 13