The Great British Bake Off: Patisserie Week
November 8, 2022 11:56 PM - Season 13, Episode 9 - Subscribe
The bakers tackle mini charlottes and a Swedish showstopper, for a place in the final.
I… didn’t hate this? Maybe my expectations are really low now, and it was once again a stupid technical and a bloody construction project for the showstopper. But the quality of the baking seems to be what counted and there was no pointless cruelty just constructive criticism, and Syabira told Noel to sling his hook when she wanted him to leave her alone.
posted by chill at 4:29 AM on November 9, 2022
posted by chill at 4:29 AM on November 9, 2022
I loved it when Syabira told Noel to go away and he waved at her from far outside the tent. I'll miss Janusz's smile and infectious joy, but I thought he started really strong and got weaker as time went on, while Abdul really started to shine. He is getting so much joy out of how much he has improved week after week. I'm so glad he got his Star Baker this week.
posted by ceejaytee at 6:16 AM on November 9, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by ceejaytee at 6:16 AM on November 9, 2022 [5 favorites]
That this is the least painful week we've had in a while is saying a lot. It still featured a ridiculous technical challenge But at least it involved actual baking. And I was happy to see Abdul get Star Baker. Next week, blessedly, is the finals. My money is on Syabira.
posted by miss-lapin at 2:07 PM on November 11, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by miss-lapin at 2:07 PM on November 11, 2022 [1 favorite]
Yeah this one was pretty good for all the reasons above! Maybe even especially because Syabira told Noel to take a hike- something I've seen numerous bakers hint at over the seasons but she said it straight out. Also I really have been enjoying Abdul cruising along mostly under the radar and now suddenly making it to the finals.
posted by oneirodynia at 3:20 PM on November 11, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by oneirodynia at 3:20 PM on November 11, 2022 [1 favorite]
I liked that we got multiple instances of the bakers helping each other out this episode, just simple things like comparing oven temps and helping position their showstoppers. There has not been enough of that shown this season.
Even though he still ended up at the bottom of the technical, I was so relieved when it dawned on Sandro that his initial interpretation of the technical instructions was wrong.
And yay Abdul!
Janusz was very gracious about the extremely disappointing loss right before the finale.
Syabira is still my favorite, but everyone left is strong; hoping for a good finale.
posted by the primroses were over at 7:21 PM on November 11, 2022
Even though he still ended up at the bottom of the technical, I was so relieved when it dawned on Sandro that his initial interpretation of the technical instructions was wrong.
And yay Abdul!
Janusz was very gracious about the extremely disappointing loss right before the finale.
Syabira is still my favorite, but everyone left is strong; hoping for a good finale.
posted by the primroses were over at 7:21 PM on November 11, 2022
I gotta say how funny it is that the judges felt peanut and fruit was such a huge risk.
posted by Carillon at 11:20 PM on November 11, 2022 [13 favorites]
posted by Carillon at 11:20 PM on November 11, 2022 [13 favorites]
This season Syabira has really highlighted how conservative with flavours Paul and Pru are!
posted by ellieBOA at 6:12 AM on November 12, 2022 [6 favorites]
posted by ellieBOA at 6:12 AM on November 12, 2022 [6 favorites]
Update the sign!
It has been 0 seasons since the judges were perplexed by the very concept of combining peanut butter and fruit, as their minds have been wiped since the last several times a baker has been inspired by peanut butter and jelly/jam sandwiches, and which Paul Hollywood (also a past judge of "The Great American Baking Show") has never heard of in his life.
This year everything but the bakers has been kind of a letdown, but the bakers are such delights that I've kept watching.
posted by j.r at 7:44 AM on November 12, 2022 [5 favorites]
It has been 0 seasons since the judges were perplexed by the very concept of combining peanut butter and fruit, as their minds have been wiped since the last several times a baker has been inspired by peanut butter and jelly/jam sandwiches, and which Paul Hollywood (also a past judge of "The Great American Baking Show") has never heard of in his life.
This year everything but the bakers has been kind of a letdown, but the bakers are such delights that I've kept watching.
posted by j.r at 7:44 AM on November 12, 2022 [5 favorites]
It's baffling that the producers seem to have so little understanding about why people watch this show. They've given us more play-by-play from the judges and less of the contestants, and their backstory and interplay--the people we're all really tuning in for. (Can we have a Syabira/Janusz cooking show, please?)
Also, I have never understood why, in the technical round, the contestants don't get at least a picture of the desired result (better yet, let them taste it too)--that way everyone knows what they're being called to do, which levels the playing field a bit, as it doesn't rely on familiarity with the baked good in question. It is also a truer test of baking ability, as it tests whether they are able to reproduce an item, not how well they were able to read the judges' minds.
posted by carrienation at 7:19 PM on November 12, 2022 [5 favorites]
Also, I have never understood why, in the technical round, the contestants don't get at least a picture of the desired result (better yet, let them taste it too)--that way everyone knows what they're being called to do, which levels the playing field a bit, as it doesn't rely on familiarity with the baked good in question. It is also a truer test of baking ability, as it tests whether they are able to reproduce an item, not how well they were able to read the judges' minds.
posted by carrienation at 7:19 PM on November 12, 2022 [5 favorites]
"Funny flavors." Prue really says the quiet part out loud, doesn't she? "You weird foreigners with your ridiculous food choices" is a take, I guess.
I love how Syabira did what we all wish we could do and told Noel to get lost. Queen.
posted by kitten kaboodle at 9:22 PM on November 12, 2022 [8 favorites]
I love how Syabira did what we all wish we could do and told Noel to get lost. Queen.
posted by kitten kaboodle at 9:22 PM on November 12, 2022 [8 favorites]
The thing I love about Syabira telling Noel to get lost is she did it so casually.
posted by miss-lapin at 2:01 AM on November 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by miss-lapin at 2:01 AM on November 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
About three weeks ago I had a realization, and told my wife, "Abdul's going to win this whole thing, isn't he? He's going to continually be competent, if not spectacular, as the favourites have bad weeks and get eliminated one by one. Then he'll have a spectacular week in the final."
This week did not disabuse me of that theory.
posted by Johnny Assay at 5:38 PM on November 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
This week did not disabuse me of that theory.
posted by Johnny Assay at 5:38 PM on November 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
It's like the old joke about two people outrunning a bear, only applied to Bake-Off.
posted by Johnny Assay at 5:39 PM on November 13, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by Johnny Assay at 5:39 PM on November 13, 2022 [2 favorites]
Issues with GBBO aside, I’m delighted at the thought of whiny, bigoted Brexiteers reacting to such a talented and diverse semifinal lineup. Now that’s a delicious showstopper!
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 7:02 PM on November 13, 2022
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 7:02 PM on November 13, 2022
Also, I was 90% sure that Sandro was out, even if I'm happy that we get to see him for one more week. That showstopper looked pretty rough, but I guess it's one of those cases where the judges weigh the taste (which we don't perceive) over the appearance (which we do.)
posted by Johnny Assay at 4:56 AM on November 14, 2022
posted by Johnny Assay at 4:56 AM on November 14, 2022
The Not-So-Great Defector Bake Off Collapses Under The Weight Of Patisserie Week: It’s funny that our bakes both collapsed, but yours collapsed slowly and mine collapsed all at once. If there’s a right way to do this, we did not discover it.
posted by the primroses were over at 2:50 PM on November 18, 2022
posted by the primroses were over at 2:50 PM on November 18, 2022
I thought Sandro was out for sure. His bake looked bad and he was guilty again of the same fault they talked to him about all season: over-ambition. I was so sad to see Janusz go. He was by far my favorite this year. Almost seemed like the narrative required Abdul to win this week given how many references were made to him having never won star baker. Syabira was solid as always with her “exotic” PB&J….
Running behind this year but am again disappointed that we’re missing my season favorite going in to the final. Juergen last year and Janusz this year. Cure of the star baker or something.
posted by the christopher hundreds at 3:35 PM on December 11, 2022
Running behind this year but am again disappointed that we’re missing my season favorite going in to the final. Juergen last year and Janusz this year. Cure of the star baker or something.
posted by the christopher hundreds at 3:35 PM on December 11, 2022
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posted by ellieBOA at 12:00 AM on November 9, 2022 [5 favorites]