Great British Bake Off star Liam Charles and comedian Tom Allen will host a professional spin-off show from the baking competition, Bake Off: The Professionals.
The new show will replace Bake Off: Creme de la Creme, the professional version of the hit show when it aired on the BBC.
The Channel 4 series will see 12 professional duos from across the UK go head to head in a series of competitive heats under the watchful eye of pastry chefs and Creme de la Creme judges Cherish Finden, the creative development chef at Godiva Chocolates and Benoit Blin, chef patissier at Belmond Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons.
Good morning Everyone. Hope this Petite Gateaux will warm you up in a cold Sunday morning 😊 #Sunday #goodmorning #godivacafe #yummy #fresh #cafe #videooftheday #colourful #chocolate #chocolatelover #chocolateaddict pic.twitter.com/Xr8Z17316D
— Cherish Finden 黄淑柔 (@cherish_finden) January 21, 2018
In each episode the expert pairs will be challenged to two rounds that will test their professional ability and allow them to showcase their creative flair.
Charles, who came fifth in the most recent series of Bake Off, the first to air on Channel 4, said: “I’m totally amazed by the skill of professional chefs and to be doing this so soon after Bake Off, is just sick. I can’t wait to get cracking. I told you I’d be back.”
Palms are sweaty, Knees weakPaul is readyThere's flour on his sweater alreadySfogliatelle#GBBO pic.twitter.com/lD4SbcW9ER
— British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) January 23, 2018
Allen added: “I am over the moon to be joining the Bake Off family and to be working with such a great team including my co-host Liam, the judges and some truly incredible professional patissiers (…is that how you spell it? Basically people who make cake for money). Finally!
“It feels like getting that A* in Food Technology GCSE was all worth it in the end!”
It was announced that the professional version of the show would move to Channel 4 in October 2017.
The six-part series will air later this year.