The adorably determined young bakers of Junior Bake Off return to the tent, ready to tackle another season of sweet challenges. Sixteen pint-sized pastry prodigies will face the scrutiny of judges Ravneet Gill and Liam Charles, while host Harry Hill provides his signature brand of whimsical encouragement. One can only hope the tent is equipped with appropriately sized step ladders.
This season 10 premiere, dubbed “Cake Day,” sees the contestants tasked with creating feline-themed confections for the Technical challenge. Expect a menagerie of marzipan whiskers and fondant fur, with varying degrees of anatomical accuracy. The Showstopper challenge ups the ante with “burn-away” cakes, designed to reveal the bakers’ deepest desires. One imagines a flurry of unicorn-shaped wishes and aspirations of becoming the next Prue Leith.
The premiere will also, of course, reveal the recipient of the coveted first “Star Baker” title, while one unfortunate baker will be the first to bid farewell to the tent. While the competition is undoubtedly serious business for these young bakers, the emphasis is always on encouragement and the sheer joy of creating. It’s a welcome antidote to the often-cutthroat world of adult baking competitions.
Junior Bake Off airs Monday, January 6, 2025, at 5:00 PM on Channel 4.
