Pies and tarts are prepared in the premiere of this series, which features amateur bakers competing for $250,000 and the chance to publish their own cookbook. First up: A firefighter turns up the heat in the kitchen; and chocolate bacon is introduced to judge Paul Hollywood

While one baker gets burned for lying to the judges, another baker's cookies receive rave reviews; a baker crumbles under the pressure.

The remaining contestants face the challenge of cakes.

Bakers begin to sweat when they need to present their breads to one of the world's premiere bread bakers, Judge Paul Hollywood, and one baker hopes her red-hot candies will fire up the judges.

Two contestants go to war over a shared refrigerator; the contestants must stagger their start and end times during a technical challenge. Contestants bake custards, souffles, and meringues.

The contestants face a double elimination in a semi-final showdown, and Brian puts aside his competitive nature to help a fellow baker

As the final three bakers compete in a winner-take-all battle for $250,000 and a cookbook contract, the pressure reaches an all-time high, leading one of them to break down. Also, the contestants also face their toughest challenges yet when they need to use peanuts in their Signature Bakes, as well as make 72 American flag-inspired miniature desserts for their Showstoppers