The wait is finally over – everyone’s favourite tent-based baking show will be back in all its pastel-coloured glory tonight (22 September). This year’s series of The Great British Bake Off sees new judge Nigella Lawson joining Paul Hollywood to scrutinise the offerings placed on the ‘gingham altar’.
“It’s a real honour to be part of something so special,” Lawson wrote on Instagram, while thanking Paul Hollywood and presenters Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding for making her feel “part of the family”.
Lawson is known for her own popular home-cooking TV shows and a range of successful cookbooks, with her first being published in 1998.
Read more: The Nigella Lawson cookbooks to dive into
With this year’s lineup of star-baker hopefuls about to grace our screens, keep scrolling for everything you need to know, from what time the new series starts to details of Bake Off’s brand-new companion show. Plus, we share our recommendations for the appliances and cookware that can help you whip up your own showstoppers.
When does Bake Off 2026 start?
Channel 4 is serving up the new 2026 series of Bake Off from 8pm tonight (Tuesday 22 September). Fans will also be able to tune in to a new companion show, The Great British Bake Off: Second Helpings, which airs at 10.35pm tonight.
Hosted by comedians Jon Richardson and Judi Love, Second Helpings replaces The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice, and promises “exclusive behind-the-scenes stories and unexpected revelations from those in the know”. We’re all set to be as glued to our TV screens as the bakers are to their ovens.
What appliances do the bakers use?
When it comes to rustling up a bounty of biscuits, kneading countless balls of dough and achieving pastry perfection, sans a soggy bottom, each year’s batch of bakers have some key kitchen must-haves at their disposal. From the iconic KitchenAid mixers to the occasionally baffling Neff slide and hide ovens (£1,329, Johnlewis.com) – who can forget Alison Hammond’s perplexed cry of “Where’s the door gone?” – a raft of top-notch appliances have become associated with the show.
The Smeg fridge-freezers (£1,449, Ao.com) in particular are likely to have earned their keep this year, as the bakers had to contend with the heat of the tent during one of the hottest UK summers on record. Will there be similar scenes to Iain Watters’s ill-fated baked Alaska this year? We’ll have to wait and see.
Best baking buys
If you’re keen to create your own star bakes, our appliances and cookware experts have reviewed myriad options to help you do just that. From stand mixers and microwaves to air fryers and ice cream makers, we’ve covered every corner of the kitchen when it comes to tracking down the right tools for the job. Here are just a few of our top picks for the perfect bake.
Circulon nonstick oven tray
Described by one of our testers as the best baking tray they’ve ever used, this design features a carbon steel construction with a raised surface, to help food cook evenly with no hot spots. Our reviewer said the tray’s non-stick coating meant their homemade sausage rolls “lifted off seamlessly”. They also “loved the sturdy construction and handles, which not only made it warp proof but a dream to get in and out of the oven.”
Buy now £19.99, Amazon.co.uk
Lakeland digital stand mixer cream 6.5l
While the Bake Off tent is chock-a-block with the popular KitchenAid mixer, our tester was also impressed by Lakeland’s cheaper alternative. In fact, the latter pipped KitchenAid’s design to the top spot in our review of the best stand mixers. “What impressed me most about this mixer is how it fuses fabulous style with elevated function,” said our tester. “A slick LED control panel allows you to adjust speed with a mere tap of a button,” and “a built-in timer can be set in intervals of 10 seconds, so you can get your mix going, then step away.” Although it’s still not the cheapest option on the market, our reviewer said it represents “good value for money”, coming in at almost half the price of KitchenAid’s model.
Buy now £249.99, Lakeland.co.uk
Stellar eclipse saucepans
Whether you’re making jam for a Victoria sponge or custard to accompany an apple pie, a good set of saucepans is essential. In her review of the best saucepan sets, this one stood out as a top choice for expert cookware tested Rachael Penn. “The Stellar eclipse range is a premium saucepan set that has been designed to last, and that claim is backed up by the brand’s lifetime guarantee,” she said. “During testing, I found that the whole pan was evenly heated, so there were no cold or burnt patches.” Even better, the pans can be used on all hob types, including induction.
The popular three-piece set Rachael tested is currently out of stock, but you can still buy individual saucepans from the eclipse range.
Buy now £65, Stellar.co.uk
Panasonic mini bread maker
If bread week on The Great British Bake Off always leaves your craving a freshly made loaf but you don’t have the time or energy for kneading dough, this Panasonic appliance topped the list in our review of the best bread makers. “With 18 different functions, there’s plenty of flexibility (you can make dough, jam and cake), while a built-in 13-hour timer enables you to schedule your bread making so it’s ready when you want it to be,” said our tester Alicia Miller.
Buy now £110, Argos.co.uk
Want more recommendations? Check out our guide to the best blenders
