The Great British Bake Off: Pastry Week

October 22, 2024 1:42 PM - Season 16, Episode 5

Bakers compete in pastry challenges: frangipane tart Signature, flaky Technical, and choux Paris-Brest Showstopper requiring freestanding podium. Challenging pastry skills tested in warm climate setting.
posted by ellieBOA (6 comments total)

So sad to see Andy go—we’re really down to it now, where every loss is tough.

Christiaan’s showstopper: that stand! Really fantastic.

Happy to see Gill get Star Baker, but I worry that The Curse will hit and she’ll go next week.
posted by potent_cyprus at 7:33 PM on October 22 [3 favorites]

ugh the whole edible stand thing, weird challenges like that seem to just take away from the actual food they are trying to make.
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 2:20 PM on October 23 [6 favorites]

I don't think the climate was too warm. From my memory, late spring/early summer this year was unseasonably cool, with a north wind that wouldn't quit, in the 60s Fahrenheit (16-17C). We've seen Bake Off episodes contend with heat waves-- melted chocolate, sweaty bakers, etc. This wasn't that. Which is good: hot weather is terrible for pastry, because the butter gets too soft. Pastry needs cold butter.

The exterior shots do show that the weather was wet, which is also terrible, because nothing stays crisp. But as long as the bakes are fresh when tasted, that shouldn't be a problem.

I continue to be surprised at the number of people who don't know what spanakopita is. They're loved by Turks as well as Greeks, and many UK shops and street stalls sell them. But they're mostly labelled "Spinach pie", so perhaps people haven't heard the Greek name. Anyway, the technical made me really want one. Or several.

I'm glad to see Gill getting a win; she's been consistently very good, and I hope this brings her some much-needed confidence.

Andy has been a super fun presence on camera and I'll miss him. But he's been hanging on by a whisker for a while now, so I guess it was inevitable.

I was glad Illiyin stayed and I hope she has a good week next week.

I kind of loved Sumayah's very Gen Z deflection of Noel. But if you're going to cop an attitude, your bakes had better be stellar. Something tells me the producers might be gunning for her next week.

Oh, and: I would really like for Nelly to win Star Baker at least once!
posted by Pallas Athena at 3:28 PM on October 23 [2 favorites]

It was clear from the first bake that Andy was going home; it was clear he wasn't feeling confident and he never recovered. I am going to miss him, he has been a delight. Yay to Gill getting star baker. And yay to Nelly for continuing to be the People's Champion. She's so fun and honest and true to herself. I love her so much. I could watch her and Noel all day long.

Christiaan has made quite the comeback from the first episode where he confused people with his flavors. He and Dylan seem to be the ones to beat.
posted by ceejaytee at 5:46 AM on October 24 [3 favorites]

Taskmaster shout out haha. Also surprised that they haven't heard of spanikopita.
posted by Carillon at 8:45 PM on October 25

Man, I hate the "build an edible structure" challenges. But in this case, Andy would have been going home either way I think, so I can't be too mad. He has great presence, but he seemed to be getting more frustrated and having less fun as the weeks went on. Nice of him to give the producers that "I just hope it isn't filo" soundbite for the technical as a parting gift.

Gill's signature looked so yummy, I'm glad they didn't knock her for being bottom at the technical. Made me want to make spanikopita, but I will absolutely not be making the pastry from scratch.

Glad Sumayah got some confidence back this week, and Christiaan is really due for star baker.
posted by the primroses were over at 6:29 AM on October 31