The Great British Baking Show: How did Pui Man react to her elimination?

The Great British Baking Show
The Great British Baking Show | Image Source: Instagram /@britishbakeoff

This week on The Great British Baking Show was all about bread. Carbs took center stage in the tent as 10 bakers tried to knead, rise, and prove their way past Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith. Three challenges stood between them and glory: pull-apart monkey bread that actually had to pull apart, a technical round with donuts that weren’t supposed to sink like stones, and a towering showstopper that needed more than just flour power.

One baker on The Great British Baking Show who had fans rooting for her, 51-year-old bridal designer Pui Man from Essex, had a bit of a rollercoaster week. Her signature didn’t quite wow, her donuts got the wrong kind of attention, and even though she pulled things together with a beautiful showstopper, the earlier stumbles dragged her down. By the end, she became the third baker sent packing, with sad faces all around.

For anyone new to the show: each week, the bakers face three tasks, which include the signature (your own style), the technical (a mystery test), and the showstopper (the one that’s supposed to knock socks off). Survive them all, and you stay in the tent another week, but if you mess up, you’re gone.

Pui Man’s journey on The Great British Baking Show explored

Bread Week on The Great British Baking Show proved particularly challenging for several contestants, with Pui Man facing difficulties from the start. Her Pull-Apart Monkey Bread, while technically well-executed, lacked the bold flavors judges expected. Hollywood and Leith noted the bread's good texture but wanted more complexity in taste.

The technical challenge intensified her struggles. Tasked with creating Glazed Ring Donuts, Pui Man encountered proofing issues that left her baked donuts looking uneven. The judges described her donuts as "underproofed," meaning the yeast hadn't worked properly to create the desired rise and texture.

Fellow baker Lesley experienced similar problems, placing both women at the bottom alongside Nataliia and Jessika. The technical challenge was basically a pop quiz for bread brains, and it showed who actually knew their stuff and who was still figuring out which end of the dough hook to use.

Then came the Showstopper, a tiered sweet bread that gave everyone a shot at saving themselves. Pui Man jumped on it. She built a shiny cherry bread tower that looked fancy and tasted great. Paul Hollywood even admitted it “surprised” him, which is basically like getting a gold star from the toughest teacher in school.

It was proof (bread pun) that once she got into her comfort zone, Pui Man could really pull it off. Her cherry bread demonstrated the technical ability that earned her a place in the tent originally.

However, other contestants also delivered strong performances. Jasmine excelled throughout all three challenges, earning Star Baker honors with impressive donuts in the technical round.

Despite her showstopper success, Pui Man's earlier struggles sealed her fate. Speaking with Channel 4 after elimination, she expressed disappointment while maintaining a positive outlook about her experience.

"I learned so much from the other bakers," Pui Man reflected.

She emphasized the connections formed with fellow contestants, describing them as "long lost friends" she finally found. The experience clearly impacted her beyond competition results. Pui Man discovered that other bakers valued her knowledge and sought her advice, creating mutual learning opportunities that enriched everyone's journey.

What’s next for Pui Man?

Pui Man's post-The Great British Baking Show plans remain focused on baking, with a special project already lined up. She's preparing to create a 100th birthday cake for her neighbor in September, describing it as "a big cake" that will challenge her skills.

This commitment shows how the show inspired continued growth rather than discouragement. Many eliminated The Great British Baking Show contestants use their experience as motivation for future baking adventures. With Pui Man's departure, nine bakers remain in contention for the title. Each elimination raises the stakes for surviving contestants as challenges become increasingly complex.

Jasmine's Star Baker win positions her well for upcoming weeks on The Great British Baking Show, while others must prove they can handle pressure when faced with unfamiliar techniques. The competition's unpredictable nature means any baker could triumph or stumble in future challenges.

Pui Man's journey reminds viewers that success comes in many forms, from technical victories to personal growth and lasting friendships forged under pressure.


The Great British Baking Show streams Fridays on Netflix.

Edited by Debanjana