THE GREAT BRITISH BAKING SHOW Returns With Original Judges and Hosts in a Season Never Seen in the U.S. this June

THE GREAT BRITISH BAKING SHOW,the delectable baking competition that has grown into a beloved international phenomenon, returns for a fifth season this summer, premiering Fridays at 9:00 pm beginning June 22 (check local listings) on PBS. Featuring the original cast of Mary Berry, Paul Hollywood, Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc, this season has never before been seen in the U.S.

Once again, viewers will meet twelve of Britain's best amateur bakers who will don their aprons, enter the iconic tent and tackle culinary trials that increase in difficulty as the competition unfolds. Vying to be crowned star baker, challengers prepare three creations in each episode: a signature bake, which tests their creative flair and baking ability; the devilishly difficult technical challenge, in which contestants have to bake creations using only ingredient lists and minimal instruction; and finally the showstopper, designed to fully showcase each baker's skill and creativity.

Contestants face the demanding but endearing judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood, two icons of British baking who are now household names in America. Comedy duo Sue Perkinsand Mel Giedroyc are the series hosts, providing the bakers with much-needed emotional support and comic relief. Offering viewers the perfect sweet summer escape, Season 5 features unforgettable contestants attempting some of the series most difficult challenges, from bagels to strudel, treacle tarts to choux gateaus.

Season 5 will be available to stream the morning after broadcast on PBS.org. It will also be available on PBS station-branded digital platforms such as ROKU, Apple TV and Google Chromecast, as well as on PBS iPad and iPhone apps. All four previous seasons of THEGREAT BRITISH BAKING SHOW are available via Passport, a benefit for local PBS station donors, offering extended access to a rich library of public television programming (contact your local PBS station for details). All ten episodes will also be available for binge-viewing on Passport on premiere night, June 22. Throughout the season, fans can visit PBS Food to learn more about the contestants and get exclusive content from the program.

Known as "The Great British Bake Off" in the U.K., the show is produced by the award-winning Love Productions and was created by Anna Beattie and Richard McKerrow. Executive producers for Season 5 are Kieran Smith and Anna Beattie, the series director is Scott Tankard and the series producer is Amanda Westwood. For more information, screeners and images, visit the series' PBS Pressroom page.

About PBS

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About PBS Food

PBS is the original home of cooking and still offers the very BEST IN FOOD and cooking. From A CHEF'S LIFE to LIDIA CELEBRATES AMERICA to The Great British Baking Show, PBS programs and chefs have received more Peabody Awards, Daytime Emmy® Awards and James Beard Foundation Awards than any other network. Viewers can explore more deeply on the award-winning PBS Food site (pbs.org/food), which brings together the best food and cooking content from across public television with award-winning digital videos, recipes, articles and more.

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