The final of this year's Great British Bake Off was met with criticism over the talent of finalists.
Finalists Sandro, Syabira and Abdul battled it out to be crowned the winner of Channel 4's Great British Bake Off 2022 in tonight's show following 10 weeks of tough competition.
All three bakers have whipped up some impressive bakes this series. Sandro has often been praised by judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith for his ambitious recipes, while Syabira has been regularly complimented on her flavours and Abdul has become known as the quiet one to watch.
Read more: North Shields woman 'heartbroken' after wind 'destroyed' her £1,000 Christmas light display
But some viewers felt the standard of bakes slipped this year, with some taking to social media to voice their disappointment. On person wrote on Twitter: "Well that had to be the most underwhelming final I've seen. None of them would have won any other final. Very poor quality, very weak winner!"
Another said: "Such a beautiful final, not the best bakes but it made us smile. Well done." While a third wrote: "Seriously underwhelmed by this year's finalists' bakes."
In the end there could only be one winner and this year it was Syabira who lifted the sought after glass engraved cake stand.
Speaking at the end of the show Syabira said: "I can't believe it. Honestly hasn't sinked down. It's unbelievable. This is the biggest achievement in my life.
"All of the hard work, all of the trial and error, it's all worth it. I'm very, very proud."
Tonight's episode saw the three finalists take on some tricky challenges.
For their signature challenge contestants had to take on "the most challenging signature ever seen in the Bake Off final", a summer picnic using seasonal ingredients from across the UK. The picnic had to consist of six mini cakes, six individual vegetarian pies and six finger sandwiches made from a classic white loaf.
Next up was the technical challenge which is judged blind by Prue and Paul. The final saw bakers attempt to create a summer pudding bomb.
The contestants had to create the desert which consisted of an elderflower and berry jelly, a creamy meringue and raspberry filling in a raspberry soaked bread. But all bakers struggled with the challenge, particularly Sandro and Syabira whose summer pudding bomb resembled more of a mush on the plate.
Finally bakers pulled out all the stops in the showstopper challenge which required them to create a large edible sculpture based on the theme "our beautiful planet".
Crowning Syabira as the 2022 winner, judge Paul Hollywood said: "Syabira can be a bit of a risk taker with her flavours and it's worked. Some of the flavours that she did I've never had in the tent before and unlikely to ever have again.
"She is an incredible baker."
Prue Leith added: "She's creative, she's careful, she practices like anything and she's imaginative. She just has the lot. She's a very skilful baker."
Viewers took to Twitter to praise this year's winner after the show. One person said: "The best person won, so happy for her!"
Another added: "I knew it! Syabira Queen of flavours. Aww Congratulations." A third wrote: "Syabira, congratulations very well deserved, the most consistent and daring baker throughout. Wish you lots of love, and may you go on to greater things."
Read next:
