The teams are put through two testing challenges in just 36 hours. The first challenge demands that the teams make 36 identical moka au cafe slices and 36 identical napoleons in just three hours. The second challenge demands that they each make an extraordinary showpiece dessert by reinventing the classic peach melba in just four hours.

Judges Benoit and Cherish want more miniatures - 36 uniform eclairs and 36 identical mont blancs. For their showpiece, the teams are tasked with making arguably the most important cake of one's life - a gateau de mariage. But when the final points are tallied, one team will have to leave.

For their miniatures challenge, they face the juggling act of making 72 perfectly baked viennoiseries with an added bicolour element as well as 72 tantalising cup petits fours. For their next challenge, they're given four hours to produce a magnificent under-the-sea themed chocolate showpiece accompanied by three types of chocolate bon bons, 108 in total.

The toughest bake off on television welcomes five new teams who, over the next three heats, battle it out for the last two semi-final places. The first challenge requires the teams to finely craft two batches of perfectly uniform miniatures - 36 fraisiers and 36 verrines - in just two and a half hours. For the final challenge, the teams are required to reinvent the pavlova, the iconic dish inspired by a legendary ballerina.

In the first challenge, the four remaining teams of professional pastry chefs must create 36 identical petite charlottes and 36 shaped macarons in just two hours. For their final challenge, the teams must put an innovative spin on the classic towering French celebration cake, the croquembouche.

The heats draw to a close as two teams battle it out for the last two semi-final places. For the miniature challenge, the teams are asked to create 72 designer viennoiserie, and also 72 exquisite, flavour-filled rolled petits fours. For their second challenge, the judges ask the teams to construct towering chocolate showpieces, along with 108 moulded chocolate bonbons, using the theme of the sky at night as their inspiration.

In the first semi-final, two teams of professional pastry chefs duel it out for a place in the grand final. For their first challenge, in just three hours the teams must each create six exactly identical and multi-layered crown entremet. For their next challenge the teams are required to display their mastery of one of the most highly regarded skills in patisserie, sugar craft.

Television's toughest bake-off reaches its dramatic conclusion as two teams of professional pastry chefs lock horns over the most demanding assignment yet. This monumental task, worthy of a grand final, takes the form of a single, epic eight-hour challenge, which is judged and then served to over 100 assembled guests in the Great Hall, including friends, family and familiar faces from across the series, in a party hosted by Lord and Lady Gage.