IT PROFESSIONAL Jurgen Krauss has got off to a brilliant start on this year’s Great British Bake Off.

Jurgen, from Sussex, was crowned star baker in the first episode of the new season of the hit Channel 4 series.

The opener of the 12th series on Tuesday night saw the return of judges Paul Hollywood and Dame Prue Leith back in the famous tent, with contestants taking on cake week.

The challenges included signature decorative mini rolls, a teatime classic technical and a gravity-defying showstopper.

The contestants were challenged to create 12 mini rolls, with whatever sponge, flavours and fillings they desired, within two hours.

While creating the perfect swirl proved tricky for some, Jurgen, originally from the Black Forest in Germany, impressed the judges by going back to his roots and creating Black Forest-flavoured mini rolls.

Paul Hollywood asked him to offer up his own verdict of his bake, to which Jurgen said: “I would buy it.

“The balance between cream and chocolate is right, and you have enough sour cheery and not sweet.”

The Argus: Jurgen Kraus is an IT professional who lives in Sussex Jurgen Kraus is an IT professional who lives in Sussex

The judges agreed and Leith joked: “Just judge your own cake”.

Jurgen moved to the UK in 2003 and now lives with his wife and son overlooking the sea.

The 56-year-old first took up baking after being unable to find traditional German bread in his adopted home – and his passion for baking has grown ever since.

Tom, from Kent, was the first of the 12 contestants to be eliminated.

The 28-year-old software engineer admitted his showstopper was “a bit of a disaster”.

He said: “Although my time in the Bake Off tent may have been short, it certainly has been very sweet.”

Jurgen, who is well-known for his Jewish challah bread, previously said that while lockdown was tough, he took the opportunity to develop his baking skills.

“My family was very cautious, we avoided shops where we could,” he said. “As a result, I baked every bread and cake we ate during lockdown. And my baking certainly improved as a result.”

Outside baking, Jurgen prides himself on being a talented trombonist, a talent he has passed on to his son.

“If I had to make a selfie biscuit of myself, it would be me holding a trombone in front of rolling hills,” Jurgen added. “I love playing music and I love to be in nature.”

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the series has been filmed in a Covid secure bubble.

The Great British Bake Off continues at 8pm on Tuesdays on Channel 4.