The showstoppers keep pushing the bakers to their limits. Relive what the contestants produced for the first-ever Batter Week when, for their showstopper, they were asked to make 36 sweet churros. They could be filled or accompanied with a dipping sauce – but they had to be identical. Who did a great bake and who failed to rise to the occasion? WARNING: contains spoilers.

Val took inspiration from the classic flavouring orange and chocolate (a favourite of her kids too apparently). She made a special chocolate ganache filling, and although Paul thought the filling was delicious, he said it took away from the inside of the churros, leaving them a bit doughy. He added: "I'm a little disappointed".

Tom pushed the boundaries again with his churros as Paul and Mary were uncertain as to whether fennel could indeed be sweet. Paul liked Tom's imagination, but after cutting into the churros, Paul knew they were overdone – poor Mary found them too tough to eat. But Paul added he liked the flavour. "But is it sweet though?" he asked.

Selasi reached for the stars this week with his interesting cooking style (he chose to freeze the churros before frying), which left both Mary and Paul puzzled. Mary found the baskets "a bit clumsy" and too dark in colour. Paul looked at Selasi at the judging table and proclaimed "They're burnt", prompting laughs. He then added: "And raw. That's a shame. Overall not a good day". Is Selasi on the slide?

Jane was a strong favourite with her efforts this week, winning over the judges with her stunning pistachio churros. Mary praised Jane saying, "There's real flavour there; beautiful pistachio". Paul exclaimed "I really love them" – to which Jane looked ecstatic. Paul also made a point of showing everyone how it should be done by saying "I really like the flavour, but your dip is beautiful, look it holds!"

The flavour king didn't delight the judges and his usually top-notch spice skills were found wanting. Paul started by saying the churros were difficult to judge because of the green colouring, and the shapes were a bit strange. And Mary found the churros "a bit fatty". Paul ended judging by adding "It looks quite savoury... I don’t like the flavours. You’re normally very good on your flavours." Ouch.

Andrew decided to take the "simple Spanish churros" approach by not using eggs or butter. His flower-shaped churros certainly got him plaudits for "thinking outside the [window] box". Paul told Andrew: "I like the look of it, it's pretty uniform, and I like the idea of the two flavours, and there's good definition and thickness." Alas, not everything was perfect as the churros were overcooked and Mary found the fat had impregnated into the texture.

Candice added a little beer into her mixture to give her churros a kick. She also added another interesting ingredient, telling the camera that "I love peanut butter!" But were her churros the cream of the crop? Mary thought they were a beautiful shape, but the mixture was on the runny side. Mary also said they were "a bit fatty" because they were so small. Paul advised her to make them bigger next time.

The imagination was there in Kate's design, but in reality her churros didn't turn out as she had hoped. Paul and Kate shared a joke as Paul said: "They look a bit sad. I can vaguely see a bunny rabbit, but it looks very flat, like it's been run over!" Ow. Mary also thought Kate's churros had been impregnated with fat, but Paul went one step further, saying "I can't eat that." Poor Kate, at least she admitted she had a bad bake.

Benjamina won over the judges' hearts and stomachs this week with her visual and tasty churros. Mary said: "What a pleasant colour they are – that's the colour they should be inside." Paul agreed with Mary as he added: "Great display, lovely colour, the actual shape of them I love. That is the right thickness of a churros. They are beautiful, absolutely beautiful." Mary ended by exclaiming "You've cracked it!"

With praise like that, it was no surprise Benjamina won the coveted Star Baker award. Mel said both Paul and Mary were overwhelmingly in favour of this week's winner. But it's farewell to Kate. We didn't see that coming. Now let's relive the showstoppers from the first three programmes in this year's series, starting with Bread Week.

For their Bread Week showstopper, the bakers were asked to make a savoury plaited centrepiece. It could be any shape or size, but it had to contain three flours. Jane's spicy kick certainly impressed the judges. Mary admired the colour, while Paul said the bake had a nice spring and a good flavour. Mary sent shivers through the tent when she said: "What a splendid loaf to start off!"

Val may have bitten off more than she could chew this week with her centrepiece based on Noah's Ark. The two judges exchanged a look before Mary tactfully said: "It's not a mess, it's informal." Paul admitted the bake was raw, but the smells were amazing. The elephant was also raw, and the ark was a bit doughy. But Val certainly was channeling the sea with her high levels of salt.

A loaf centrepiece based on Norse legends! Paul thought Tom's plaits were excellent, and Mary said before tucking in, "You've done a very good job from the outside." The flavour may have been a little lacking with Paul remarking "You're just not getting it in there [cranberries and walnuts]." But Tom's seaweed filling won Mary over as she said: "I've never had seaweed in bread before. I like it".

This was a showstopper that ticked all the boxes visually, as Mary acknowledged: "It certainly does look a centrepiece, which is what we have asked for." And Andrew's "beautifully designed plait" went down well too. The flavours were "spot on" according to Paul, and the flavour of the orange and cardamom was beautiful, a perfect balance between the two.

Benjamina's centrepiece received the highest accolade from Paul as he commented the design looked great: bold, big and beautiful. And once Benjamina's judging was over he told her it was "gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!" Mary thought the colour was "glorious" too. Smiles all round then.

Rav's masala filling may have been too hot to handle as Mary looked pained after the first bite, while Paul remarked: "It's got a bit of heat in there". But it wasn't all bad; in fact Rav's other rings were described as delicious by Mary, although the bread could have done with a little more spring.

Paul and Mary were not convinced by Selasi's centrepiece. Paul said: "You have three loaves and come up with a story that it's one centrepiece, which does not wash well with me". Although Selasi may not have ticked the visual boxes, Paul said the texture was spot on and Mary couldn't wait to get in and have a bite.

Taking a shot of Cypriot liquor Zivania before commenting on Michael's creation nearly knocked Paul off his feet, while Mary asked if Michael was trying to bribe the judges. Paul then had enough Dutch courage to tell Michael the design was a mess, with the bread folded over and not properly plaited. And Michael also fell short on the "classic" olive, coriander and onion flavours, which ultimately led to his exit from the show.

Mary admired Kate's work, saying she had done very well to keep the plaiting contained. Paul agreed the overall effect looked "superb". He also had only good things to say about the flavours in each of the layers which were "absolutely gorgeous", especially in the focaccia and onion. And there was also high praise indeed from Mary: "You should be congratulated and I want to come to one of your picnics". At which Kate looked thrilled.

Biscuit Week's Star Baker didn't please the judges so much with her showstopper this week. Mary said: "We asked for plaits, we have got a plait in your lower loaf but the one above it has all gone into one." Paul couldn't see the promsied green olives, or taste the green olives, or even smell them. Maybe add some more next time Candice?

The recipient of the golden star for Bread Week was Tom. Mel said: "Many great bakes this round, but this was the stuff of legends. A sight for Thor eyes. Yes it's hammer time!" Tom looked delighted and overwhelmed. We may be seeing big things from him as Paul said: "The Star Baker of Bread Week is always in the final. Watch this space". Indeed we will Paul. Now let's relive the showstoppers from Biscuit Week.

The Biscuit Week challenge was to make a 3D gingerbread story which had to say something about the bakers. It had to be at least 30cm high and contain eight characters or objects. A family trip to New York was Benjamina's inspiration. Paul couldn't hide his thoughts, saying "It's a bit messy if I'm honest", but Benjamina agreed. However, the proof is in the pudding (so to speak) with Mary telling her the gingerbread was "very good".

This work of art shows Andrew after his university exams in Cambridge enjoying some time punting along the canal with friends. The showstopper was described as neat with great colour and details. Paul said: "It reminds me of my mum's ginger biscuits, and that's a good thing". Mary agreed, telling Andrew he should be very proud of his "enchanting" gingerbread story. Trip to Cambridge anyone?

Val chose to stick with what she knows and work with a traditional gingerbread that she has been making for 40 years which her children always ask for. Although it fell apart Paul "loved the relief work on the Empire State Building" and said it was very clever. Mary wished she could have seen the story more finished, adding "We've had a problem with finishing before, haven't we?" But both Paul and Mary were in agreement that Val's gingerbread sister tasted "absolutely scrumptious".

Kate aimed for the stars this week with her three-flavoured gingerbread story (dark muscovado sugar and cloves; plain ginger; cardamon and lemon), but could she wow the judges? Mary said the piping was beautiful and she had done it "exceedingly well". But how did the "absolutely beautiful" gingerbread actually taste? Paul "struggled" to find the ginger and found it too soft, while Mary said it didn't have the "snap" you'd expect from a gingerbread. A shame as it looked great.

And how did Cake Week's Star Baker handle the showstopper challenge this week? Although the spice from the ginger came through, Mary said the gingerbread was soft, which was a problem. But don't worry Jane, you can't win 'em all.

You couldn't miss this mountain creation if you walked into the GBBO tent, with Paul telling Tom the gingerbread was "quite artistic". But could the biscuit match the clever design? Paul wondered as much too. However, Mary said: "It's a very nice gingerbread; nicely spiced". It turns out eyecatching biscuits can taste great!

Mary greeted Rav with "did it go to plan?" to which Rav responded "absolutely not". Unfortunately, Rav's fallen-down Ferris Wheel wasn't the only problem with his story of a family trip to a Christmas fair. Rav's choice of cloves didn't go down well with Paul. Paul told Rav that cloves are quite strong, which can "kid you into thinking it's burnt. Is it burnt? It might be." There's no fooling Mr Hollywood.

Michael's story gave the judging panel a chuckle, as it didn't quite go to plan. Michael said: "Yeah it didn't turn out like Santa's workshop, probably Santa's workshop from hell". But Michael received plenty of plaudits for the taste of his bake, with Paul saying: "It's the best gingerbread so far!"

Although Selasi's design was described as "excellent" by Paul, both Mary and Paul were disappointed with the lack of ginger coming through. Paul said: "To me, being a gingerbread, I would like to taste the ginger". Maybe just a dash more next time Selasi? But big thumbs up for the design!

Poor soon-to-be-married Louise had a nightmare in the Showstopper this week, leading to her exit. She was adventurous in her choice of flavours with orange spice, a white icing church and a liquorice roof. Unfortunately, her gingerbread church came toppling down. Mel joked: "Maybe don't get married in that church Louise? Just in case." Paul said the balance was there and was nice and crisp, while Mary agreed it was unfortunate that the finished product "was a bit of a turmoil".

Candice's ever-adventurous baking did not disappoint this week with a story of her childhood growing up in a pub. Paul and Mary were full of praise for her gingerbread pub (and its interior complete with a gingerbread cake carpet!). Mary said: "You have showed us so many skills, good piping, and I am dying to know what's inside!" Paul thought the gingerbread was "superb", and Mary thought it was "smashing". Definitely a baker to watch.

After delivering such a detailed and tasty work of art to the judges, it came as no surprise that Candice's showstopper pushed her into this week's spotlight. Candice was shocked and was fighting back tears of joy. Presenter Mel said: "She proved that a tacky old pub carpet could taste simply divine". Now let's take a look back at the showstoppers from Cake Week, the first week of the new series, when the bakers had to make a mirror-glazed cake with a genoise sponge filling.

This extravagantly-designed cake visually pleased the judges, and the taste didn’t disappoint either. Mary described its flavours – chocolate, orange, salted caramel, and hazelnuts – as “a perfect marriage,” and Paul said it was “absolutely stunning”. Where can we get a slice?

If the judges’ palettes are anything to go by, this Swiss meringue, salted caramel and white chocolate combo tasted as good as it sounds. “A true flavour of white chocolate, and all the flavours and textures go together,” said Mary. “You've gone for simplicity, but I think you've executed it well.” A nice sheen too.

Candice deserves a gold star for creativity. Her vanilla and chocolate genoise, finished off with mango and passion fruit jelly, chocolate spheres and a chocolate mirror glaze, looked like a work of art. Sadly the genoise let her down; she’d already thrown two away earlier on because, in her own words, they were “like rubber”, and when she joked about throwing this one Paul retorted “I don’t think you’d be able to… I think it would bounce back.”

Jane’s unique creation certainly got the judges purring. Covered in chocolate orange ganache and a rich mirror glaze, the “Jaffa Cake” (Paul’s words) ticked all the boxes. “You have got a good shine and you’ve made the sides beautifully smooth,” said Mary. “Less is more when it comes to mirror glaze cakes, and the whole thing looks beautiful,” concluded Paul.

You can’t miss Kate’s creation, but Mary wasn’t convinced by the garish bright blue glaze she went for, though she praised the flavour of the gooseberries. “It’s nice and sharp and you’ve made a good genoise,” she said. The quote of the show went to Paul, though. “I think it actually looks a bit like penguins in the sea,” he remarked.

Lee was the first baker to leave the show after his chocolate ganache cake failed to excite Mary and Paul. “Sometimes simplicity is the way forward, but that’s taking it a little bit too far,” said Paul. “Your chocolate genoise is too dry,” he added. “I can’t see the point in having fresh fruit just running through the middle with a very dry ganache.” Harsh words.

Filled with lashings of raspberry and creme patissiere, and covered with white chocolate butter cream, Louise’s trifle-inspired desert was “beautifully moist” according to Mary, although its aesthetics could have done with a boost according to Paul. “Great inside, terrible outside,” he remarked.

As Michael beavered away making his rather unusual combination of Japanese green tea and genoise sponge, Mary remarked that it smelled "like grass”. It tasted like it too, apparently. “I didn’t really like the flavour. It is grassy to me” she said when it came to judging time. Still, it looks pretty impressive.

Rav’s indulgent-looking creation, bursting with rich Colombian chocolate, sparked mixed reviews. In Paul’s words, “you’ve got the flavours spot on but the texture’s all wrong”, and Mary wasn’t pleased either, concluding that the genoise sponge was a little too dry for her liking.

Selasi’s summery-looking cake combined vanilla genoise with raspberry cream mousse, and it was a winning combo according to Paul and Mary. “It’s a joy to eat,” she said. Not that Selasi instilled us with too much confidence earlier on. “This is sort of like a habit, just forgetting to put stuff into recipes,” he said after he forgot to add the vanilla seeds. Seems to have worked out OK for him in the end though.

Filled with Kirsch cherry jam and complete with cracked slabs of caramel, Tom’s ‘broken mirror’ needed a bit more oomph, according to Paul. “There’s no real flavour – there’s nothing lingering in the mouth,” he said. “Ironically you needed more Kirsch in it.” That’s after Tom had cut down on the Kirsch for fear of making it too strong. Lesson learned: you can never have enough booze.

Val’s rich chocolate cake certainly looked like a showstopper, but it didn’t taste like one according to the judges. “It’s as though it’s been creamed with caster sugar,” said Mary. Paul was even less impressed, joking: “That would be classed as a ‘see me’.”

Jane, the 61-year-old garden designer from Kent, impressed across the challenges. She credits her grandfather, who ran a bakery in Hastings, for her love of baking. Her reaction when she was told she was top of the class was priceless.