Last week’s Halloween challenge proved too much for Dawn, with the IT manager from Bedfordshire being sent home after coming 5th in the technical challenge, before her showstopper lantern split in two as she presented it.
The episode saw both Syabira and Maxy receive coveted Hollywood handshakes, while Syabira landed the crown of star baker for the week.
The competition is now at the half way point, with Kevin from Lanarkshire the only Scot still in the running.
Here’s everything you need to know about all six bakers left and their odds on winning, from the hot favourite to the longshot.
1. Janusz
Hot favourite to win with the bookies with odds of 1/1, equating to a 50 per cent chance, Janusz grew up in Poland and moved to the UK 10 years ago. He is now living on the southeast coast with his boyfriend, Simon, and their sausage dog, Nigel. Apart from baking, Janusz’s passions include internet culture, watching drag (he even bought his boyfriend a statue of Ru Paul) and collecting movie props. He was inspired to bake by his mother, who always baked on a Saturday; a tradition Janusz continued when he moved away from home to go to university. He describes his baking style as ‘cartoon-like, colourful and camp’, and loves working Polish ingredients into British staples. His favourite flavours are ginger and chocolate. Photo: Contributed
2. Maxy
Maxy started the series as favourite and has remained one of the best bakers - with odds of 9/4, or a 30.8 per cent chance of winning the series. Swedish-born Maxy studied fine art and went on to achieve a Masters degree in Architecture, pausing her final qualifications to raise her two daughters, Tyra and Talia. She has DIY-ed every corner of her flat – from laying the flooring and resurfacing the balcony to painting the walls and hanging her own artwork. She began baking five years ago, with the arrival of her first daughter, and uses her strong artistic skills to create beautifully decorated celebration cakes. Her favourite flavours link to her Scandinavian upbringing – the sweet and delicate spice of cardamom and saffron buns and cinnamon rolls. Photo: mark bourdillon
3. Sandro
Despite winning star baker just a fortnight ago, Sandro is now third favourite with odds of 7/2, or a 22.2 per cent chance of winning. Sandro was born in Angola, but fled the Angolan war with his mum when he was two, settling then in London. Passionate about fitness, Sandro is a keen boxer and has a background in ballet and breakdance too! When Sandro was 21 his father passed away and he turned to baking as a form of therapy. Now, he lives and breathes it, and is often found rustling up bakes in a relaxed vibe with the telly on, or running virtual baking classes for children with autism. He likes to infuse his bakes with flavours from his Angolan heritage – the spice of paprika paired with tangy cheese, and sweet bakes smothered in sticky dulce de leche. Photo: Contributed
4. Syabira
Syabira may be the latest baker of the week, but you can still get odds of 8/1 on her - with bookies giving her 11.1 per cent chance of winning. Malaysian-born Syabira is one of seven children. She moved to the UK in 2013 to study for her PhD and is now happily settled in London with her boyfriend, Bradley. She loves gaming and often spends evenings playing an online World War II simulation game, which she credits with teaching her about leadership in the real world. Syabira started baking relatively recently – in 2017 – with a red velvet cake, which reminded her of the treats she shared with her friends back home. She is all for giving Malaysian flavour twists to British classics – chicken rendang cornish pasties are a particular favourite. Photo: Contributed