Pastries, cakes, biscuits and breads, tied with original and eccentric flavors are only some of the delicacies that Netflix’s “The Great British Baking Show” bring to the screen. Yet, not all weeks are such a triumph. Twelve amateur bakers enter the tent, with one elimination at the end of each week based on performance in three challenges, Signature, Technical, and Showstopper. Bakers are given a theme and list of requirements for their bake. However, they are given absolute freedom regarding their flavors and outward appearance. Thus far, viewers have seen iconic episodes from past seasons, like “Cake Week,” “Bread Week,” and “Pastry Week,” alongside new, innovative episodes like “Botanicals Week.” The season was released on Sept. 26 and has aired a new episode every subsequent Friday.
Dessert Week’s wobbly Signature challenge was not an easy feat for the bakers to tame. The remaining bakers, Matty, Josh, Christy, Dan, Tasha, and Saku, were expected to make a batch of eight exquisite crème caramels that consist of a perfectly set, baked custard with a caramel sauce. Though some bakers had a flawed execution of this trial, the anticipation of the dish was mouthwatering. The sight of Tasha’s fig, honey and rosemary caramels felt comfortable and familiar, though the flavors were deemed lacking. Matty’s unexpected pair of chai and coconut in his caramels sounded deliriously inviting, but his struggles with proper caramelization put him behind the others in a race for time. The challenge itself sounded heavenly and delicate, but the performance revealed it to be a massive letdown.
This week’s Technical challenge was set by Paul Hollywood, and to be blunt, was the most dreadful one I have ever watched. The bakers were asked to make six individual orange and ginger treacle puddings, with sponges that were soft and light, served with smooth custard, and ginger and orange syrup. They were given an hour and a half to complete the challenge. The demanding race for time put pressure on all the bakers in the tent, and resulted in inedible and raw bakes, that were highly unpleasant for viewers to watch. Tasha took the cake on the technical challenge, seeing as her bake was “nearly edible,” whilst Matty came in last, with his purely liquid sponge. I suppose when something has a bit of bake to it, it will win the Great British Bake Off.
The Showstopper challenge, though less disastrous than the Technical, was equally disheartening. The bakers were to make a sharing size dessert, encased within a highly decorative meringue bombe. The baker’s ability to experiment and incorporate heartfelt meanings to their dessert was impressive to watch, but the structural elements to the bake led to many downfalls. Some bakers added fresh fruits to their dishes, to capture a cheery, summer feel, while others used nostalgic flavors from their childhood to enhance their bakes. Watching many meringue bombes crack as they were pulled from their molds or fall apart from weight was truly heartbreaking. The bakers put all of their efforts into this last challenge, in hopes to secure a spot in the quarterfinals. Dessert Week’s elimination was Saku, after a failed technical and a shattered showstopper.
Every baker faces obstacles over the course of different weeks, but I think that Josh, Dan, and Tasha will make it through to the final round. “The Great British Baking Show” is dramatic and nerve-wracking, but deliciously comforting for viewers to watch from home.
