Bake Off: Crème De la Crème, BBC2: the judges, host Tom Kerridge, and three other things you need to know

The baking competition is back – but not as you know it
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Ben Travis29 March 2016

As the thought of summer grows ever closer, the nation is patiently waiting for the return of a particular tent and gingham altar.

Those hoping for a smiley dose of Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood should alter their expectations for new Bake Off spin-off Crème de la Crème: this is Bake Off, but not as you know it.

Here’s everything you need to know about the new series.

1) It’s more like MasterChef: The Professionals than Bake Off

No-one’s denying that the artistry of Bake Off is hugely impressive (Paul, we still remember your massive lion bread from last year), but Crème de la Crème is all about the pros who push the craft of baking into creative and bizarre places.

If Mary and Paul are looking for talent and heart, the judges of Crème de la Crème won’t accept anything but sheer spotless perfection.

2) The judges are all pastry masters

As you’ve probably gathered, Mary and Paul aren’t involved here. Instead there’s Cherish Finden (Executive Pastry Chef at The Langham Hotel), Claire Clark, MBE (Pastry Consultant and Supplier), and Benoit Blin (Executive Pastry Chef at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons).

In short: they all know a lot about pastry.

Cherish Finden, Claire Clark, and Benoit Blin 
BBC / Love Productions

3) The format has totally changed

You can’t get more simple than the classic format of the original Bake Off – a bunch of contestants, one leaves every week, and three face off in the final.

For Bake Off: Crème de la Crème you’ll want to get your calculator out. The bakers are split into teams of three, and they’re given two tasks to complete in each episode – a Miniatures Test, and a Showpiece.

Each baking batch in the Miniatures Test is scored out of ten, while the showstopper is scored out of 150 – with 50 points up for grabs from each judge.

The team with the most points at the end of each heat gets a guaranteed place in the semi-finals. Still with us?

4) It’s presented by Tom Kerridge

Sorry guys – there’s no Mel and Sue this time around. Instead, Tom Kerridge is on hosting duties – formerly a contestant and judge on the Great British Menu.

5) It’s still a great watch – but it’s different

Let’s be honest – the Bake Off name promises a lot, and some might be surprised at how different Crème de la Crème is from its parent series.

It’s worth watching though – the jaw-dropping creativity on offer here is stunning, even if it’s something you’d never be able to recreate at home. Having extra-picky judges also means that when they’re pleased, you know it must be really, really good.

If anything, the eight episode series will bring us two months closer to the return of Paul, Mary, and those lush green fields.

BBC Two, 8pm

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