The shortlisted bakeries compete in a series of baking challenges in various central judging locations that put their skills to the test, from Chelsea buns to lemon meringue pie and from sausage rolls to apple tarte tatins. More than a food competition this series is a celebration of local bakeries around the UK, the delicious goods they produce, their regional specialities and their centuries old baking heritage.  

It begins in Yorkshire as a contemporary Yorkshire baker goes head to head with a 1940s vintage style cake maker and a Ukrainian bread specialist. They need to come up with an original bake using polenta, and produce rhubarb and custard muffins good enough to book them a place in Friday's regional final.