The WINNER bakes it all!

BENOIT BLIN on why this year's finale is the 'toughest' yet...

- CAREN CLARK

BAKE OFF: THE PROFESSIONALS

TUESDAY, 8PM, C4 COOKERY

After nine weeks of tiers and triumphs, tensions are set to reach boiling point in the Bake Off: The Professionals kitchen as the series final gets underway on C4.

The three remaining teams have just two challenges left to prove their baking prowess to judges Benoit Blin and Cherish Finden. First, they must make a patisserie window display, and then tackle a horse racing-themed banquet for 80 people!

Here, in an exclusive interview, Benoit tells TV Times why it'll be a finale to remember...

How excited are you for this week's grand final?

This is it! We're so excited and that's an understatement! I'm convinced that we have picked the best teams. But this final has to be the toughest yet.

Why did you set these particular challenges?

We have a window display of four different desserts for the first part and that is a challenge that every pastry shop around the world gets judged on. At first glance, of course it needs to draw you inside the shop, but it is also the ultimate test of volume of work with the regularity, neatness and elegance of the designs, without forgetting the mouth-watering flavours and textures. As for the second part of our grand final, the 'A Day at the Races' theme - what a great sense of occasion to create magnificent showpieces and the most fantastic dessert banquet table. And they have only seven hours to complete it bring it on! Boom!

How impressed were you with what they achieved?

I  don't want to give too much away, but this grand final and the work by our teams has been so impressive and it has been emotional, as you would expect.

Which moments stand out for you from this series?