The Great British Bake Off: Patisserie
October 20, 2016 11:11 AM - Season 7, Episode 9 - Subscribe
It is the Bake Off semi-final, and it is Patisserie Week, with just four bakers remaining.
In the signature challenge, the bakers are once again butter-bashing and folding their pastry to achieve perfect lamination for a difficult French pastry.
In the technical challenge, Paul has set the bar high. He is testing the bakers' patisserie prowess with a yeast-based cake that has a fruity top and delicate chocolate work.
The show-stopper is the bakers' last chance to prove they have what it takes to make it to the final, with a multiple mini-cake bake. The timings are crucial to achieve the high-end finish the judges are looking for.
Which of the bakers will impress Mary and Paul enough to earn their place in next week's final, and who will be leaving the tent?
description via bbc iplayer
In the signature challenge, the bakers are once again butter-bashing and folding their pastry to achieve perfect lamination for a difficult French pastry.
In the technical challenge, Paul has set the bar high. He is testing the bakers' patisserie prowess with a yeast-based cake that has a fruity top and delicate chocolate work.
The show-stopper is the bakers' last chance to prove they have what it takes to make it to the final, with a multiple mini-cake bake. The timings are crucial to achieve the high-end finish the judges are looking for.
Which of the bakers will impress Mary and Paul enough to earn their place in next week's final, and who will be leaving the tent?
description via bbc iplayer
I really liked this week and expected that Selasi would be bumped. He's good (maybe excellent) but just much less prepared on many occasions compared to the other bakers.
posted by toomanycurls at 5:23 PM on October 20, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by toomanycurls at 5:23 PM on October 20, 2016 [1 favorite]
Alright, I'm all-in for Candice for the final.
posted by dame at 8:02 PM on October 20, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by dame at 8:02 PM on October 20, 2016 [2 favorites]
An ode to Selasi.
I'm finding it really hard to judge who will win. Everyone left, if performing at their peak, could take it, but they've all had their fuck-ups and no-one seems more consistent than anyone else.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 4:57 AM on October 21, 2016 [2 favorites]
I'm finding it really hard to judge who will win. Everyone left, if performing at their peak, could take it, but they've all had their fuck-ups and no-one seems more consistent than anyone else.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 4:57 AM on October 21, 2016 [2 favorites]
I really loved Selasi's "maybe don't try the icing". And Sue's attempts to blot his sweat.
I am not sure who I will be supporting in the final, mainly for reasons of consistency, as EndsOfInvention noted. If Andrew can come up with another engineering marvel like the pie cogs, though, I think he might edge it.
posted by minsies at 6:47 AM on October 21, 2016
I am not sure who I will be supporting in the final, mainly for reasons of consistency, as EndsOfInvention noted. If Andrew can come up with another engineering marvel like the pie cogs, though, I think he might edge it.
posted by minsies at 6:47 AM on October 21, 2016
My thoughts on the final contestants:
posted by brokkr at 8:11 AM on October 21, 2016 [5 favorites]
- Candice: best overall on skills/proficiency. Has had problems with time management, but seems to have it under control now. However, she is still very ambitious which is a risky strategy: she is likely to produce stuff that is much better/more creative/better presented than the other bakers, but she does not have any buffer. Any more than a slight mishap, and she might find her bake unravelling completely with no time to compensate.
- Jane: solid skills all-round, except perhaps for decorating (compared to the other two) which means she is likely to get upstaged. If the others run into trouble, though, she can push through to win by sheer experience and keeping her cool. Just hope there's no caramel involved ;)
- Andrew: in some areas he is probably the most skilled, so if the final bakes play to his strengths he is a serious contender. Seeing as presentation skills are usually called for in the final, he could pull something wondrous out of his hat. But he might also be unlucky and find that the technical hits a skill gap. Just hope his cheeks doesn't catch fire.
posted by brokkr at 8:11 AM on October 21, 2016 [5 favorites]
Top notch hijinks. I was really rooting for Selasi, but this is probably the right trio for the final. Nice to hear some funny stories from him on The Extra Slice though.
It does feel very close. The nature of the final might make Jane try something more flamboyant, it'll almost definitely see Candice try too much, and Andrew might actually pass out.
posted by lucidium at 3:59 PM on October 21, 2016
It does feel very close. The nature of the final might make Jane try something more flamboyant, it'll almost definitely see Candice try too much, and Andrew might actually pass out.
posted by lucidium at 3:59 PM on October 21, 2016
In some ways I think Andrew's been more inventive with his cake stands than with the bakes themselves.
I'm rooting for Candace, I think. In terms of flavor, technique, and creativity, I think her best efforts have been at a higher standard than the others'. Question of whether she can manage to hit those peaks or whether she'll be undone by ambition. Can't rule out Jane, though --- for the most part she been the most consistently excellent technique wise and she's good at fiddly pretty things. Andrew is incredibly precise, but it feels like what carried him through has been playing it safe, to a degree --- making sure he has enough time to acheive his finish by doing something a little less complex. If the other two reach for the stars and flop it could save him, but if either one goes for it and pulls it off I think they can best him.
posted by Diablevert at 9:20 AM on October 22, 2016 [4 favorites]
I'm rooting for Candace, I think. In terms of flavor, technique, and creativity, I think her best efforts have been at a higher standard than the others'. Question of whether she can manage to hit those peaks or whether she'll be undone by ambition. Can't rule out Jane, though --- for the most part she been the most consistently excellent technique wise and she's good at fiddly pretty things. Andrew is incredibly precise, but it feels like what carried him through has been playing it safe, to a degree --- making sure he has enough time to acheive his finish by doing something a little less complex. If the other two reach for the stars and flop it could save him, but if either one goes for it and pulls it off I think they can best him.
posted by Diablevert at 9:20 AM on October 22, 2016 [4 favorites]
As much as I love my flushed ginger son, I agree with you, Diablevert. Candace has emerged as the one to beat, and if she has a good weekend, she could easily take it all.
As for the competition, I think Andrew has been smart in his execution throughout the season, and his flavors have won consistent praise, but he hasn't really brought the WOW very often (although those gear pies are still on my mind). Jane has had a bit of trouble keeping her cool and being realistic about what she can execute well in the allotted time. But if either of them have a stellar weekend, and Candace stumbles, there could be a surprise outcome.
Excited for the final, but also so sad that we're heading toward the last episode of GBBO as we know it.
posted by merriment at 10:14 AM on October 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
As for the competition, I think Andrew has been smart in his execution throughout the season, and his flavors have won consistent praise, but he hasn't really brought the WOW very often (although those gear pies are still on my mind). Jane has had a bit of trouble keeping her cool and being realistic about what she can execute well in the allotted time. But if either of them have a stellar weekend, and Candace stumbles, there could be a surprise outcome.
Excited for the final, but also so sad that we're heading toward the last episode of GBBO as we know it.
posted by merriment at 10:14 AM on October 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
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posted by merriment at 11:12 AM on October 20, 2016 [1 favorite]