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Great British Bake Off: Episode 1 – Cake Week

September 25, 2024 Bouncy Leave a comment

Please be aware that this blog will include spoilers… you have been warned!

A parody of Barbie, with arguments over who is the best Barbie between Noel and Alison and Ken (Paul Hollywood) picking Weird Barbie (Prue) with a bad American accent, kicked off the new series of Bake Off.

Signature Bake: Loaf Cake

Prue says that to really impress her, the bakers need something that surprises her, “They could put two kinds of sponge together, so it looks marbled or they could bury something interesting inside.”

Paul Hollywood advises us that, “Time management is critical, you don’t want to put decoration on top of a warm cake, it will literally just melt and slide off. It’s gonna be tricky.”

They have been warned!

Illiyin’s “Cinnamon Roll” Loaf Cake –
The judges loved this loaf cake praising the flavours. This earned Illiyin the first handshake of the series.

Gill’s “It’s all V’s Fault” Loaf Cake –
The marbling was good inside the cake and it tasted nice and orangey, but it was let down by the overall look as the icing had melted.

John’s Cherry & Chocolate Marble Loaf Cake –
A proper loaf with enough height, the inside was more of a splodge than a swirl, but the overall flavour was good.

Andy’s “My First Bake” Loaf Cake –
Lovely flavour but the texture was very heavy.

Mike’s Lemon & Linseed Loaf Cake –
Paul noticed it had a big crack inside. The lemon flavouring was spot on, but Paul couldn’t taste the linseed and Mike obviously had an issue with timing as the icing was melting.

Georgie’s Vanilla & Chocolate Marble Loaf Cake –
Nice flavour, but was criticised for not having enough height. Paul said, “I don’t dislike it, I just think it could be better.”

Sumayah’s “Halwa Surprise” Loaf Cake –
A good strong bake that hadn’t been overmixed with the perfect coconut level in the flavour.

Jeff’s “Guiding Star” Loaf Cake –
Prue was impressed with the star running through the cake. The flavours were good, but the overall look was compared to “lava flow.”

Nelly’s Coconut Loaf Cake –
Prue commented that it was basically pudding and was delicious. Not the best decorated but flavour-wise was lovely.

Dylan’s “Sticky Rice” Loaf Cake –
Neat with a good height. The flavour was there but the bake itself was doughy and dense,

Christiaan’s “Umami Apple” Loaf Cake –
Clever decoration, but the judges weren’t impressed with the miso/apple combination.

Hazel’s “Raspberry Surprise” Loaf Cake –
The shards were too thick and it was slightly overbaked.

So we already have the first handshake of the competition, was it too early or do you think that doesn’t matter, if Paul thinks it’s worthy then that’s fine?

Technical Challenge

We were told the news that Jeff wasn’t feeling well, so he won’t be participating in the rest of the programme.

The technical challenge was to bake 8 symmetrical mini-Battenburg cakes but there was a twist – it’s a Taste and Bake Challenge. There was an example of a Battenburg under the gingham cloth and they had five minutes to inspect that before starting on their own ones.

There was a certain amount of trepidation from the bakers, apart from Georgie who admitted she’d looked at a Battenburg recipe last night! (That’s my girl! – if you look at my previous blog, she’s one of two I have chosen to win this year!)

11. Mike
10. Hazel
9. Sumayah
8. Andy
7. Illiyin
6. Gill
5. Nelly
4. Dylan
3. John
2. Christiaan
And the winner was…. GEORGIE!

Showstopper Challenge

Paul highlights Christiaan, Mike and Hazel, who may be in trouble and have to leave the show today.

This week’s Challenge is a hyper realistic illusion cake with flavours and types of sponges up to the bakers in just four hours.

Georgie’s “Fanny the Chicken” Illusion Cake –
Prue commented it was an odd shape, but that the chicken had a real personality. Alison asks the judges, “How does Fanny taste, guys?” The judge’s managed to keep a straight face and replied, “Absolutely lovely!” Bake Off with its best innuendos. Two of the sponges were overbaked but it had a lovely lemon flavour.

Sumayah’s “Pato the Duck” Illusion Cake –
An exceptional illusion cake, probably one of the most realistic looking cakes in the tent. Beautifully baked. But no handshake!

Dylan’s “Canopic Jar” Illusion Cake –
Impressive illusion cake. An unusual flavour, but delicious.

Christiaan’s “Sweet Seams are Made with This” Illusion Cake –
Prue loved this sewing machine illusion cake comparing it to her own one at home. Paul didn’t hold back on his critique saying it was massively overbaked and bone dry and the flavour was quite sour.

John’s “The Perfect Brunch” Illusion Cake-
The judges were impressed with the illusion cake and they loved the flavours.

Gill’s “Crown Green Bowling” Illusion Cake –
Good illusion, although Prue wished the bowls were more rounded, The judges loved the taste of it.

Mike’s “My Favourite Cake & Books” Illusion Cake –
Each book could be picked up separately, the judges loved them. A beautiful cake, executed very well from Paul and Prue just said, “Ditto.”

Andy’s “It’s an Overnight Job” Illusion Cake –
Exceptional illusion cake, Paul could tell straight away that it was overbaked. Lovely flavour with the sharpness of the raspberries.

Hazel’s “Handbag” Illusion Cake –
For a first for Bake Off, Hazel carried her handbag illusion cake by its handles. But Paul commented it wasn’t very neat, overbaked but a beautiful lemon flavour.

Nelly’s “Retro 90’s Shoes” Illusion Cake-
Good chocolate flavour, but lacking the flavour of the raspberries.

Illiyam’s “Flowers in a Vase” Illusion Cake –
Paul and Prue loved the flowers but weren’t keen on the vase. A well baked cake with amazing flavours, but the design was slightly flawed.

Who went home?

Actually nobody went home because Jeff was ill, but they were warned that two people could go home next week.

Star Baker

Thoughts….

A great start to the series, cake week is always a good one as we do get some great bakes. Not to brag but my two choices, John and Georgie won both the Technical and Star Baker! I think Christiaan and Hazel may be gone next week, but let’s hope they do better with biscuits.

Maybe not sending anyone home in the first programme could be established in future series, I know that I would probably need at least a week to settle in and get my nerves under control, they do this in Strictly and it gives everyone a chance for a little bit more practice.

Next Week:

Biscuit Week and it looks like carnage as we see two people fall to the ground…

Great British Bake Off, Reviews

The Great British Bake Off – Week One: Cake Week

September 27, 2023 Bouncy Leave a comment

This blog contains spoilers, ie., who went out and who won Star Baker, so if you don’t want to know this, please stop reading now!

So now begins a brand new series of GBBO, where things have changed a little since the last season ending with the departure of Matt Lucas and Alison Hammond taking up the reins. This provoked a mixed reaction from the public to the news, but let’s not judge her until we’ve seen her in action!

Meanwhile let’s take a look at when she was a contestant and couldn’t find the oven door!

I did laugh at this photo posted on Twitter (X) by @alexr_241 which showed Noel and Alison as depicted by houses:

There was also another addition to the tent, Daryl, a BSL interpreter for one of the contestants. Refreshing to see him front and centre and not out of sight.

There are 12 contestants this series:

Signature Challenge

The bakers were asked to make a vertical layer cake with a perfectly baked sponge rolled with a filling so when sliced it will reveal neat vertical layers.

Rowan

Judge’s Remarks:

Prue: “Perfect example of a vertical cake. The buttercream is terrific. Well done Rowan.”
Paul: “I like it. It’s delicate, but the flavours are there. Just be aware of the strength of flavours that you’re putting in.”

Josh

Judge’s Remarks:

Prue: “The flavour is sensational.”
Paul: “The colours work, I think the cake looks amazing but I actually think you’ve over-baked your sponges.”

Amos

Judge’s Remarks:

Prue: “The chocolate dominates and not a lot of orange.”
Paul: “Obviously there’s been some issues with the drip effect. The layers just aren’t even enough.”

Cristy

Judge’s Remarks:

Prue: “I think it looks lovely. Beautiful lines. I mean, it’s delicious.”
Paul: “Good height to it, wow. I think the flavour, you are 60% there, don’t be afraid to punch us in the teeth with citrus flavours.”

Nicky

Judge’s Remarks:

Prue: “Yes, the layers are good. The flavour is very subtle and it is delicious.”
Paul: “It looks like a barrel, a bit like me actually, but I don’t think it’s terrible. I quite like the layers, they’re pretty even. It’s just not punchy enough.”
Nicky: “Perhaps the flavours will grow on you?”
Paul: “Yes, like a fungus!”

Abbi

Judge’s Remarks:

Prue: “I like that informal cornucopia look. Very nice vertical stripes. It’s delicious. The balance of the texture of the cake and the buttercream is beautiful.”
Paul: “This is the wild poppy, isn’t it? (Yeah) I think the flavours come through, they’re nice and punchy.”

Dana

Judge’s Remarks:

Prue: “Well those are pretty good stripes. I must say, the flavour is lovely, not too salty.”
Paul: “It’s a bit messy, the piping is not particularly good.”

Saku

Judge’s Remarks:

Prue: “Don’t make a face like that. It is a bit wobbly. The stripes are there. What I think the real achievement is to get the flavour out of the blueberries which they are not the easiest fruit to make taste great.”
Paul: “I like the colours, let’s have a look at this wobbly tower. Oh, I got the sharpness from the outside which brings that sour and the sweet together. I love the flavours.”

Matty

Judge’s Remarks:

Prue: “It certainly is strong. That’s a muscular cake. It’s very nice.”
Paul: “That would wake you up in the morning. That coffee level is perfect.“

Dan

Judge’s Remarks:

Prue: “That is the cutest little cake. Beautiful stripes Dan, well done. That is rhubarb and custard. It’s a beautiful cake, it’s very light.”
Paul: “It looks like a circus tent. With the crème pat and the rhubarb, it’s quite moreish, good job.”

Keith

Judge’s Remarks:

Prue: “It looks so dramatic and the colours are so strong contrast and it looks so wonderful. It’s delicious, absolutely delicious. I could happily eat all of that.”
Paul: “Oh my god. The cream is so light against the density of the chocolate and then that orange liqueur, it is absolutely delicious.”

Tasha

Judge’s Remarks:

Prue: “But you know what, its flavour might save it. Well, you’ve certainly got the stripes. I think you’ve got too much filling to cake though. That is very unusual and rather delicious.”
Paul: “Did you sit on it? If you had used less of the filling and more of the sponge, that would have been absolutely brilliant. I think it looks terrible, but I love the flavours and the texture of it.”

There were ups and downs in the tent – I think Saku’s ‘up’ was definitely the hug she received from Paul and Matty’s ‘down’ was not getting his buttercream to behave!