TWO stars from the Chew Valley were seen on ‘Bake Off: The Professionals’ recently when it returned for a tenth series.

The fresh batch of pastry chefs — including The Pony Chew Valley’s head pastry chef Harry Sanders and head chef Jim Day — entered the oven of competition in the hopes they could rise to the occasion.

Once again, Liam Charles and Ellie Taylor were on presenting duties, asking all the key questions as they secretly counted down the hours and minutes until they get to eat the chef’s creations.

The judges Benoit Blin, chef pâtissier at Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, and Cherish Finden, formerly executive pastry chef of the Pan Pacific London Hotel, cast an expert eye, and several thousand expert tastebuds, over the works of culinary genius produced by the 12 teams taking part this year.

The series, filmed in the spectacular Firle Place in Sussex, featured some truly jaw-dropping challenges, including the show’s first ever showpiece floating on water.

The talented twosome from The Pony Chew Valley hoped to bake, decorate, sculpt and build their way to success against representative from all sorts of establishments across the UK, from hotels and restaurants to bakeries, patisseries, contract caterers and culinary arts schools.

Although they did not come away with the trophy, The Pony Chew Valley team based at Newtown Chew Magna said they were delighted with Harry and Jim’s efforts.

A spokesperson said: “We absolutely loved watching our head pastry chef, Harry Sanders, and our head chef, Jim Day, compete on Bake Off: The Professionals! While they didn’t take home the trophy, they’re definitely winners in our eyes. We couldn’t be prouder of how brilliantly they represented The Pony.

“Want to taste what impressed the judges? Come and sample our afternoon tea or indulge in something sweet from our dessert menu crafted by the stars themselves.”