Clear your Tuesday plans for the next 10 weeks...

<p>It's the moment keen bakers, cake enthusiasts and everyone who is a lover of all things tasty have been waiting for. Finally, the contestants for this year's <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/article/great-british-bake-off" target="_blank">Great British Bake Off</a> on Channel 4 have been revealed. </p><p>And amongst the hopeful baker's dozen is a banker who, his friends say, 'looks more like a robber', a stuntwoman in training and a 71-year-old karaoke fanatic, who is the oldest contestant to ever take part in the series. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="great-british-bake-off-contestants" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/great-british-bake-off-contestants_GL?scl=1" style="height: 490px; width: 800px;"></p><p>Starting on Tuesday August 29 and lasting for 10 weeks, each hopeful will be whisking, kneading and baking their way through classic British cakes, Italian delights, sticky caramel constructions and elaborate layered puddings in a bid to clinch the Bake Off crown. </p><p>Here's who will be gracing our screens:</p><h2>Kate from Merseyside</h2><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="gbbo8_baker_portrait_kate_1135" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/gbbo8_baker_portrait_kate_1135_GL?scl=1" style="height: 437px; width: 500px;"></p><p>The 29-year-old works as a Health and Safety Inspector and when she&rsquo;s not making Liverpool a safer place, you will find her indulging in her many hobbies like blacksmithing and furniture restoration as well as yoga and outdoor pursuits. Kate is predominately self-taught, and started to bake about two years ago when she started growing her own <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/dept/fresh-food/vegetables-potatoes/_/112475" target="_blank">vegetables</a>, and became more interested where food came from using local produce.</p><h2>Peter from Essex</h2><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="peter-bake-off" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/peter-bake-off_GL?scl=1" style="width: 500px;"></p><p>The IT Programme Manager, who is 52, was born in Brixton, South London, and then moved to Nigeria with his parents when he was seven years old. There, he continued his education and eventually moved back to the UK when he was 24. Peter started baking eight years ago after feeling unwell, which he put down to eating shop-bought bread. He started making his own and has never looked back. Peter prides himself on making the picture perfect <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/ice-cream-party-desserts/asda-extra-special-macaron-selection/910002634925" target="_blank">macaron</a> based on a Pierre Hermes recipe. </p><h2>Julia from West Sussex</h2><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="julia-great-british-bake-off__square" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/julia-great-british-bake-off__square_GL?scl=1" style="width: 500px;"></p><p>Originally from Kemerovo, Siberia, Julia met her British husband Matt on holiday in Turkey when she was 17. The 21-year-old taught herself to bake from a young age, however, any time she wanted to bake, she would have to save up money from her after school job to buy the ingredients. After moving to the UK, the baker dreamed of applying for The Great British Bake Off and so she spent three years practising and studying British bakes in particular, so she would have the knowledge and skills she needed.</p><h2>Chris from Bristol</h2><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="chris-great-british-bake-off" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/chris-great-british-bake-off_GL?scl=1" style="height: 455px; width: 500px;"></p><p>Software developer Chris admits he is obsessed with the science behind baking and is constantly developing healthy but unusual flavour combinations. The 56-year-old, who is a cancer survivor, is passionate about helping and inspiring other patients touched by the disease. His other hobbies include sailing, travelling, writing and visiting bakeries.</p><h2>Flo from Merseyside</h2><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="flo-great-british-bake-off" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/flo-great-british-bake-off_GL?scl=1" style="height: 443px; width: 500px;"></p><p>Retired 71-year-old Flo holds the crown for being the eldest amateur baker to take part in the series to date. Today, when she&rsquo;s not singing karaoke or having a boogie with her friends, Flo prides herself on being a homely, traditional baker and loves nothing more than baking for her family to keep them happy, healthy and together. </p><h2>Steven from Hertfordshire </h2><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="steven-great-british-bake-off" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/steven-great-british-bake-off_GL?scl=1" style="height: 452px; width: 500px;"></p><p>The 34-year-old comes from a family of strong baking women, and describes baking as being in his blood after his mum, Judi, taught him the basics 25 years ago. When he finally had a kitchen of his own, Steven started to take it more seriously and now cooks and bakes everything he eats and even lost 5 stone in the process. Steven has a background in marketing and a passionate love of travel, however it&rsquo;s baking that consumes all areas of Steven&rsquo;s life; preferring cookbooks to novels, he is more likely to be found on the tube digesting new recipes than dipping into the morning newspapers. </p><h2>Chuen-Yan Yan from North London</h2><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="chuen-yan-yan--great-british-bake-off" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/chuen-yan-yan--great-british-bake-off_GL?scl=1" style="height: 430px; width: 500px;"></p><p>Yan was born in Hong Kong and moved to the UK when she was two, with her parents and brother Ken, she also has another brother Yee, and sister Ying. The 46-year-old eventually trained as a Biomedical Scientist and now works for The Francis Crick Institute as a Laboratory Research Scientist. Growing up in a Chinese household meant Yan&rsquo;s family would steam rather than bake and used their oven as storage space. Yan began to take baking more seriously ten years ago when she found herself inbetween 24 hour shifts, working as a molecular biologist for the NHS.</p><h2>James from Essex</h2><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="james-great-british-bake-off" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/james-great-british-bake-off_GL?scl=1" style="height: 430px; width: 500px;"></p><p>James lives in Essex with his wife Ann, two sons Oliver and Ethan and their three chickens: Sparkles, Superman and Jeff. The 46-year-old describes himself as a bald, baking banker from Brentwood with a bad back. His friends say he looks more like a bank robber than a banker. Always keen to embark on a challenge, James also trained as a port diver for the Royal Navy Reserves, where it was his job to keep the ports clear during the cold war. When he&rsquo;s not banking in Canary Wharf, James loves to spend his free time in the fresh air at his allotment, growing <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/dept/fresh-food/fruit/_/103214" target="_blank">fruit</a> and <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/dept/fresh-food/vegetables-potatoes/_/112475" target="_blank">vegetables</a> to incorporate into his bakes. </p><h2>Sophie from Surrey</h2><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="sophie-great-british-bake-off" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/sophie-great-british-bake-off_GL?scl=1" style="height: 451px; width: 500px;"></p><p>After graduating with a Masters in Psychology at The University of Toulouse, 33-year-old Sophie went on to join the British Army as an Officer in the Royal Artillery. After leaving the Army mess behind her, Sophie finally had her own kitchen. After volunteering to make a friend&rsquo;s birthday cake, Sophie discovered she had a natural talent for baking and more recently, a passion for patisserie. When she is not baking, Sophie enjoys track cycling, rowing, teaching Military boot camps and is also training to be a stuntwoman.</p><h2>Tom from Edinburgh</h2><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="tom-great-british-bake-off" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/tom-great-british-bake-off_GL?scl=1" style="height: 452px; width: 500px;"></p><p>The 29-year-old architect lives with his partner David. Baking has always been a huge part of family life for Tom and his siblings, who were taught to bake by his mother June, a Home Economics teacher. The family cherishes recipe books passed down by grandparents from both sides of the family. As a true Scot, Tom can often be found making fresh shortbread to welcome friends and family into his home. </p><h2>Stacey from Hertfordshire</h2><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="stacey-great-briitsh-bake-off" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/stacey-great-briitsh-bake-off_GL?scl=1" style="height: 446px; width: 500px;"></p><p>Ex school teacher, 42-year-old Stacey lives with her husband James and their three young sons in Hertfordshire. Stacey has fond memories of helping her grandmother, Phyllis, make <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/pies-crumbles-sponges/asda-bread-butter-pudding/910002634554" target="_blank">bread and butter pudding</a> when she was a little girl, but it was during university days where she really started to bake seriously. Stacey likes to incorporate her Jewish heritage into her baking, with a traditional homemade Challah with every Friday night dinner. As a self-confessed perfectionist, absolutely nothing leaves Stacey&rsquo;s kitchen unless she is totally satisfied with it.</p><h2>Liam from North London</h2><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="liam-great-british-bake-off" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/liam-great-british-bake-off_GL?scl=1" style="height: 443px; width: 500px;"></p><p>The 19-year-old student is fondly known as the ‘Cake Boy&rsquo; amongst his university friends. Having only baked for 4 years, Liam already has a vast baking repertoire under his belt. Liam strongly believes that baking is a universal language that can bring people together from all walks of life. One of Liam&rsquo;s main ambitions is to make baking acceptable amongst his peers and the younger generation. </p><p>The Bake Off begins with Cake Week, and sees the bakers take on a fruity signature challenge. Next, new judge Prue sets her first technical &ndash; a children&rsquo;s tea party favourite. And for their final challenge comes the trickiest showstopper ever set in the first week of Bake Off: An illusion cake. </p><p>It looks like it's all to play for!</p><p><em>Feeling inspired to create some showstopping cakes? Make sure you stock up on everything you need at <a href="http://www.asda.com/" target="_blank">Asda</a> or <a href="http://storelocator.asda.com/" target="_blank">pop into your local store</a>. </em></p>

The Great British Bake Off contestants have been revealed!

By ASDA Admin,22nd August 2017

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