Mich Turner and Peter Sidwell oversee proceedings as contestants from the Home Counties enter the fray. A perfectionist baker brings precision to the competition, and a British traditionalist makes an impression with his bloomer loaf, while a pair of young cake-makers struggle with their shortcrust pastry.

Three bakeries from Kent and Sussex compete, including a father-and-son team who cook up some Italian food. A pair of bread gurus take inspiration from the classic dessert Black Forest gateau, and a cupcake-making couple feel the pressure when they are challenged to make some savoury cheese straws.

The heat winners take their place in the south-east England regional final, working side by side in the same kitchen to create an afternoon tea. The stakes are raised when Mich Turner and Peter Sidwell task the four bakeries with making a challenging orange chiffon cake with Swiss meringue butter cream - and only one can go through to the semi-final.