Ship of Fools: Great British Bake-Off 2013

Thread: Great British Bake-Off 2013 Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.

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Posted by justlooking (# 12079) on :

Great British Bake-Off starts tonight at 8.00 pm on BBC2

It starts with chaos in the kitchen

[ 20. August 2013, 10:12: Message edited by: justlooking ]

Posted by cheesymarzipan (# 9442) on :

Yay! Now I just need to remember to watch it later

Posted by Gussie (# 12271) on :

Thanks for the reminder - I'm looking forward to it (goes off to set the box to record it).

[ 20. August 2013, 11:43: Message edited by: Gussie ]

Posted by seekingsister (# 17707) on :

Yay! Will probably be watching it on iPlayer as the eye rolling from seekingmister when I try to watch in the living room ruins the enjoyment [Big Grin]

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :

By gum, the macaroni cheese will be on the table with uncommon promptness tonight. (Fortunately Señor Firenze has his own room - and indeed TV - to retire to post prandial).

Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :

Are you sure this is GBBO? Over 10 minutes in and still no innuendo.

Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :

There was one about spooning. Now I know I'm watching the right show.

Posted by Drifting Star (# 12799) on :

And the squirrel's nuts.

Posted by loggats (# 17643) on :

Glad I'm not the only person who remembers those nuts.

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :

I am, of course, perfectly sure that they were chosen from the zillions of applicants purely on their baking skills, but I notice we have ended up with an Asian one, a young one, an old one, a gay one, a black one, a Mummy, a Daddy and a couple of 'characters'.

Posted by justlooking (# 12079) on :

Baking skills would be essential but I expect there'd be other criteria such as being able to cope with being filmed. Overall the group is meant to be representative of British people so getting a balance of men and women and of ages and backgrounds would influence choices. It still seems to favour white middle-class types but perhaps that's what the majority of applicants are.

No great surprise with the one who left.

Next week is bread. Bread is a good predictor of success.

Posted by Gideon (# 17676) on :

There's also the intense one, the bubbly one, the posh one, the Northern one, the über-competitive one, the creative one, the experimenting one, the buffoon one and some we haven't seen very much of yet so I'll stereotype them over the next couple of episodes [Biased]

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :

Last night's show was carnage!

Blue plasters everywhere!

Some of the cakes were pretty dire considering they had FOUR HOURS to make them.

[Two face]

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :

Yes. Precisely how do you manage to lop bits of finger off baking a cake? Other than slicing it at the end, cakes are an entirely knife-free operation in this house.

Posted by kingsfold (# 1726) on :

Apparently one of them involved slicing open a vanilla pod. I can understand how that might happen, but cutting butter? I'd use a standard table knife for that...

Posted by Gussie (# 12271) on :

Last nights show started to remind me of a Kenny Everett sketch about a hapless D.I.Y. presenter that I saw a while ago, I was beginning to think a finger or two was going to get chopped off.
The standard seems high this year, a shame Toby was a bit of a disaster, he was very funny.

Posted by angelica37 (# 8478) on :

I can't believe someone mixed up salt and sugar without noticing, do they not taste their mixture before baking it?

Posted by Tree Bee (# 4033) on :

If I remember right, he did taste it before baking and realised his mistake , but by then he didn't have time to mix another batch. [Roll Eyes]

Posted by Mudfrog (# 8116) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Firenze:
I am, of course, perfectly sure that they were chosen from the zillions of applicants purely on their baking skills, but I notice we have ended up with an Asian one, a young one, an old one, a gay one, a black one, a Mummy, a Daddy and a couple of 'characters'.

Yup, I noticed that too - and that the gay gentleman had a 'husband' as opposed to a 'partner'. I wonder which liberal country he was married in. Or is the the right-on BBC getting in early in next year's UK law change?

Posted by Pegasus (# 1966) on :

If the gent in question refers to his other half as a husband (and people do, regardless of their legal status) then I think it's only common courtesy for others to use the same terminology.

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :

Please let's stick to cakes on this thread, and avoid slices of deceased equines when possible. Thanking you in advance,

Ariel
Heaven Host

Posted by justlooking (# 12079) on :

Well, that was exciting! Who'd have thought English muffins could create such tension?

No surprises again with the one who left - I don't think she got the idea of what was needed with the bread sticks and especially with the decorative bread - a cob loaf with a bunch of tomatoes on top doesn't quite deliver on decorative.

I've no idea yet who might be the front-runners - this week's star baker was in the danger zone with cakes last week so it's wide open.

Posted by Gussie (# 12271) on :

I'd never really considered how you make English muffins before, might give that a go - I'd have to get a hotplate first though.

Posted by cheesymarzipan (# 9442) on :

Muffins look like fun (with help from a proper recipe), I might have to start playing with yeast again. You might be able to cook them in a big frying pan, Gussie? that's what i do with welsh cakes, which ask to be cooked on a hotplate or griddle in the recipes...

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :

Paul the octopus was a great idea - but lost a bit of definition in the baking!

I love to bake bread, but couldn't do it under that kind of pressure!

Posted by AngloCatholicGirl (# 16435) on :

Sob! Having moved across the pond, I am unable to get my annual fix of baking this year - any idea if TGBBO shows on any American channel? [Waterworks]

Posted by Keren-Happuch (# 9818) on :

I was looking at muffin recipes with interest a while ago. Feeling half inspired, half daunted by them! Yes, tomato bread woman really didn't seem to get it at all.

Posted by justlooking (# 12079) on :

quote:
Originally posted by AngloCatholicGirl:
Sob! Having moved across the pond, I am unable to get my annual fix of baking this year - any idea if TGBBO shows on any American channel?

Episode 1, shown on 20th August, is now on youtube if that's any help.

Posted by sophs (# 2296) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Gussie:
I'd never really considered how you make English muffins before, might give that a go - I'd have to get a hotplate first though.

I use a heavy le cruset frying pan. It worked rather well.

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :

Kimberley is very good, I think Rob is her main rival.
I quite fancy a go at English muffins too, I have ancient cast iron frying pans I use for flatbreads so they would be ideal.

Posted by AngloCatholicGirl (# 16435) on :

quote:
Originally posted by justlooking:

quote:
Originally posted by AngloCatholicGirl:
Sob! Having moved across the pond, I am unable to get my annual fix of baking this year - any idea if TGBBO shows on any American channel?
Episode 1, shown on 20th August, is now on youtube if that's any help.

Found it! Thanks for the suggestion. [Smile]

Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :

I have discovered my stash of last year's which I never had time to watch for various reasons. So sad for the midwife with the heavy cake covered with roses.

So I can fill the wait with those.

Posted by justlooking (# 12079) on :

Desserts tomorrow. I'm sure meringue will be involved. Meringue is good but it lends itself to high drama.

Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :

quote:
Originally posted by justlooking:
Desserts tomorrow. I'm sure meringue will be involved. Meringue is good but it lends itself to high drama.

Iles flottant.

Posted by Hugal (# 2734) on :

Well last night (deserts) was very intersting. I think they have ramped up the tension this year. Lots of tight shots on peoples faces. As a pastry chef some of them had me watching through my fingers. So the big question did she or did she not steal his custard?
The obvious two went home.

Posted by Gussie (# 12271) on :

I agree the whole process seems more tense this year, but I'm still enjoying it, specially the custard stealing episode. I fancied some of the trifles, but I've never liked the idea of floating islands, and their efforts didn't tempt me to try.

My son pointed out that the lid of my cast iron casserole would make a good hotplace for muffin making so I'm giving it a go this weekend.

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :

I am a custard addict but floating islands just don't have any appeal - why have a anaemic poached meringue when you can have a delicious baked one which is far more aesthetically appealing.

Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :

In the days when a local restaurant served a dessert buffet, I tried floating islands, expecting something special. It didn't really do it for me. I wasn't entirely convinced that the meringue was cooked, and I felt it needed something with an edge to the flavour. I feel the same about tiramisu. But there's a recipe in the Radio Times for next week which is a fruit version of that, and which I suspect will be more to my taste.

Posted by justlooking (# 12079) on :

Deborah's trifle custard (which ended up in Howard's trifle) was 'slack' when she'd used cornflour presumably to make it firm. Howard's was firm enough to pipe without cornflour. Superior skill there.

Not sure who the front-runners are yet although Kimberley seems consistently good. Ruby's had her disasters but she successfully winged the petit-fours. Added to her bread triumph this could make her a Paul Hollywood favourite - he likes bakers who can take risks.

Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :

In Delia's trifle recipe, which I use, a teaspoon of cornflour is added to prevent splitting, not to thicken the custard, which takes for ever. (I always make twice as much as Delia, because her quantity simply does not cover the stuff underneath properly.)

Posted by justlooking (# 12079) on :

It's pies and tarts tonight, starting with double-crusted fruit pies which sounds simple enough, but probably won't be. For the technical challenge it's the English Custard Tart and we'll learn about its long and distinguished history. I've seen the short preview clip on the website - some tarts don't quite make it and I'm worried already about Howard's filo pastry showstopper.

Posted by Sarkycow (# 1012) on :

Doesn't double crusted just mean crust underneath and on top? So you bake blind the pie case, then fill it and lid it and rename it. Shouldn't be difficult for the country's top 10 bakers [Roll Eyes]

I foresee a ahead of problems with the custard tart though - they had to make custard last week and most had issues.

Posted by Anselmina (# 3032) on :

Except Howard, who had his custard nicked by yer woman.

Posted by Mrs Shrew (# 8635) on :

I was really impressed with the palm trees design trifle last week,so am hohoping for some nice ornate pies this week

Posted by Roseofsharon (# 9657) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Sarkycow:
Doesn't double crusted just mean crust underneath and on top? So you bake blind the pie case, then fill it and lid it and rename it. Shouldn't be difficult for the country's top 10 bakers

I foresee a ahead of problems with the custard tart though - they had to make custard last week and most had issues.

A double-crust fruit pie does not have the bottom pastry baked blind before filling. The pie plate is lined with raw pastry, the filling added and the top layer of pastry put on top and sealed. Egg-wash & bake.

My mother used to make wonderful baked egg custard tarts, but deeper than ones I've seen made on cookery shows (thinking Marcus Wareing on Great British Menu a couple of years ago).
That was on the Sundays when she didn't make double-crust apple pie [Biased]

or baked rice pudding.

Posted by Sarkycow (# 1012) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Roseofsharon:

quote:
Originally posted by Sarkycow:
Doesn't double crusted just mean crust underneath and on top? So you bake blind the pie case, then fill it and lid it and rename it. Shouldn't be difficult for the country's top 10 bakers

I foresee a ahead of problems with the custard tart though - they had to make custard last week and most had issues.
A double-crust fruit pie does not have the bottom pastry baked blind before filling. The pie plate is lined with raw pastry, the filling added and the top layer of pastry put on top and sealed. Egg-wash & bake.

I tend to bake blind for double crust pies. Yes, you have to be more inventive with the top crust decoration etc. to ensure it joins the bottom properly, but it minimises the worry about soggy bottoms.

Posted by Avila (# 15541) on :

So a 'double crusted pie' is what I would consider a normal pie. never quite understood these lid only varieties. Base only being a flan - or quiche if savoury and posh!!

Posted by Amos (# 44) on :

Rose of Sharon--your mother might have been amused to see how many of the contestants got reproved for the shallowness of their custard tarts.

I was interested to see that not one of the fruit pies was made with a lard crust. As I watched, I had, on a plate in front of me, a slice of apple pie (our own apples) with a nice, crisp flaky crust top and bottom. Hooray!

Posted by Roseofsharon (# 9657) on :

My mother's custard tarts were not individual ones like the ones in last night's show, but a family one made in an oval enamel dish.The custard seemed very deep to me, but it probably only held a pint - back in those days helpings were smaller, and so was I. What made enough to serve 6 back then would probably only be enough for three nowadays.

Her apple pies weren't as deep as theirs, though - just plate-pies. I would think it is more difficult to avoid a soggy bottom with that depth of fruit

My mother used half butter half & lard for her pastry. As half of my family are vegetarian I use vegetable fat.

Posted by Hugal (# 2734) on :

Kimberly and Ruby are pulling away. How can Ali bake and never have made or tasted a pie????? Pies are fan. A proper Northern butter pie being my favourite savoury one. Don't have a favourite sweet one.
The half butter half lard works well for shortcrust. If you are planning to add egg instead of water(sugar paste). I wouldn't use lard.
Love this series

Posted by Sarkycow (# 1012) on :

I loved Ruby's confession: "It's better than what I normally knock out!". And yes, I thought Ali marked his card when he said he didn't like pies so he wouldn't taste it. Silly boy, he showed a lot of promise otherwise.

Posted by Gussie (# 12271) on :

Really enjoyed last night, and having had a go at muffins last weekend I might try custard tarts this. I used to love the really deep ones covered in nutmeg that you got from old fashioned bakers.

I did wonder about Ali what would have happened if he stayed in much longer, wouldn't the filming have clashed with Ramadan? Very tricky if you can't taste anything, though he should have had a go at the pies.

At the moment my money's on Kimberley.

Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :

Shucks, I haven't been able to watch yet (got a guest not interested) and now I've read a spoiler.

Posted by Moo (# 107) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Hugal:
A proper Northern butter pie being my favourite savoury one.

I don't know what this is. Would you please post a recipe on the recipe thread?

Moo

Posted by justlooking (# 12079) on :

Biscuits and tray-bakes on in 2 mins.

I'm guessing Glenn could be in the danger zone based on past performance but you never know.

Posted by ArachnidinElmet (# 17346) on :

"I will not be defeated by a sodding French biscuit" - Ruby

Quote of the series so far?

Posted by Gill H (# 68) on :

That honour goes to Howard (who is surely an Alan Bennett character?)

"The last time I did these, people were really impressed."

Pause.

"Well, it was my mum and dad..."

Posted by justlooking (# 12079) on :

A few surprises with the biscuits and tray-bakes.

From the shocked look on Kimberley's face at the end I think she was rather hoping to hear the name of her main rival.

Posted by SyNoddy (# 17009) on :

Oooh! who is her main rival would you say?

Posted by TheAlethiophile (# 16870) on :

Missed the start, but the end result was no major surprise. For those who, for some bizarre reason, are reading this but haven't seen it, I shan't say who left.

Though I could not help but notice a certain incongruity about watching it whilst eating fish & chips.

Posted by sophs (# 2296) on :

quote:
Originally posted by justlooking:
A few surprises with the biscuits and tray-bakes.

From the shocked look on Kimberley's face at the end I think she was rather hoping to hear the name of her main rival.

We thought she was shocked that she wasn't eliminated! Does anyone have favourites yet? I think I've fallen in love with Greg, and Ruby is awesome too.

Posted by Jenny Ann (# 3131) on :

We read it the same as Sophs - shock it wasn't her.

I have warmed to Greg (initial thoughts were along the lines of 'Calm Down!') and I'm not keen on Ruby. Yes, you have exams etc etc but you entered the competition knowing that and the constant 'it's not good enough' when it clearly is just get on my wick.

I think my favourite to win is Kimberly, but I'd like it to be Howard or Christine.

Posted by TheAlethiophile (# 16870) on :

I think the likeability of the contestants (and the presenters & judges) that make the show stand out from the plethora of cooking shows. I loved Rob to start out with, but went off him as he seemed to go more for things that only looked good, rather than things that were good to eat.

Ruby was also an early favourite, though my reasons there may not be entirely baking related.

Lately, though, Kimberly and Christine have come up tops. Howard is lovely, but I don't think he'll stay the course.

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :

The friendliness of the contestants is also a USP. Last night someone - Christine possibly? - was giving advice to Glen on enhancing his helter-skelter with raspberry dust. Don't see that in Masterchef.

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :

I also thought Kimberley was just shocked that she herself wasn't eliminated, she probably had prepared herself for the eventuality.
My favourites to win are Christine, Kimberley or Ruby. I do find Ruby a bit grating though, whereas Christine seems consistently relaxed and friendly and Kimberley seems a very nice person. I agree that the lovely thing about the Bake Off is the positive interaction between contestants, such as Becca advising Glenn and the teary goodbyes.

[ 18. September 2013, 10:19: Message edited by: Heavenly Anarchist ]

Posted by Jenny Ann (# 3131) on :

It was Beca - and yes, they all seem pleased to help each other.

I don't think Howard will last the course, but his are the receipes I want to try.

Posted by justlooking (# 12079) on :

quote:
Originally posted by SyNoddy:
Oooh! who is her main rival would you say?

I'd say it's Ruby. They were the front runners going into the pies and tarts.

I don't think Kimberley would have expected to be eliminated, her traybake was good, her tuiles weren't the worst and her tower did at least stand up. Those in the danger zone after the tuiles were Howard, Rob and Ruby.

Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :

I think Kimberley is my bet to win - she has been pretty consistently good, which is often a good indicator.

However, Ruby is still my favorite, just because she is slightly batty. I like the batty ones (i.e. Cat last year). The way they help each other is also great - there seems to be a sense of everyone wanting everyone to do well. Similarly, the way a number of them look round at others to see what they are doing is funny. It is more relaxed than Masterchef. Baking does get tougher than this, but not a lot more fun.

This week, Mel gave some advice to one of the bakers, and finished it with "but don't trust me, I don;t know anything" (or something like that). Which is funny.

Posted by justlooking (# 12079) on :

I get the impression with Paul that 'consistently good' = 'safe' = 'boring'. He said as much in the last series. They're looking for some originality and willingness to push the boundaries a bit. Also, they want to see some progress. This is what did for Rob - he just stayed the same.

What we get is the edited version of what happened when it was filmed three months' ago and I think we get thrown some hints and some red herrings.

Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Schroedinger's cat:
It is more relaxed than Masterchef. Baking does get tougher than this, but not a lot more fun.

The lack of a Gregg Wallace shouty presentation style is what makes GBBO compelling. You don't need to shout to make TV exciting. (You can do it by editing [Smile]

)

Posted by Gussie (# 12271) on :

I think Kimberley is still odds-on favourite for this year, but Glen is coming up on the rails. I imagine Howard or Frances will be the next to leave.
I liked the history of Tottenham cake in the middle of the programme. Never had it at a Quaker Meeting (my last Meeting was strong on apple cake), and I bet you don't often buy it with icing coloured pink by using mulberries.

Posted by Doublethink (# 1984) on :

We are a faith known for our confectionery [Big Grin]

Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :

quote:
Originally posted by justlooking:
I get the impression with Paul that 'consistently good' = 'safe' = 'boring'

I think you are probably right here. She need to do something extra special, but as long as she continues to be good by comparison to the rest, she is safe enough to get through the rounds for a while.

If she does not improve and excel, she could be in trouble.

Posted by Hugal (# 2734) on :

Sorry not been around. A butter pie is layers of butter and onion and an artery clogging amount of butter in a pie crust. Wonderful

Posted by Moo (# 107) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Hugal:
Sorry not been around. A butter pie is layers of butter and onion and an artery clogging amount of butter in a pie crust. Wonderful

Could you be more specific? I might try to make one.

Moo

Posted by Sarkycow (# 1012) on :

This may be wrong Moo, but googling 'Butter pie recipe' got me this: Butter pie. Lancashire is a northern county, so I'm guessing this is probably what Hugal is talking about.

Measurement is in grams or ounces - can you make sense of them? If not, I think I have a conversion calculator somewhere, to take grams into cups...

Posted by Moo (# 107) on :

Thanks. That looks good.

Moo

Posted by sophs (# 2296) on :

It does rather. I'd like to add cheese though. That would make it awesome!

I'll be making it for dinner this week!

Posted by Kitten (# 1179) on :

I do add cheese to mine and it is indeed good

Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Sarkycow:
This may be wrong Moo, but googling 'Butter pie recipe' got me this: Butter pie. Lancashire is a northern county, so I'm guessing this is probably what Hugal is talking about.

Amazing that they had th'internet in Lancashire in 1950!

Posted by justlooking (# 12079) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:

Amazing that they had th'internet in Lancashire in 1950!

It was powered by steam.

[ 22. September 2013, 22:15: Message edited by: justlooking ]

Posted by Gill H (# 68) on :

Oddly enough I was in a bakery* last week and spotted 'Tottenham cake' for sale - and was rather scornful, assuming this was a newly-invented name for the slab of stodge and brightly coloured icing my school usually served for dessert (drowned in packet custard, natch...)

I stand corrected.

*All right, it was a branch of Greggs. Is that a shocking confession on this thread?!

Posted by justlooking (# 12079) on :

It's sweet dough tonight starting with a tea loaf. There's a short clip on the website showing a bit of the loaf-shaping. Seems fairly tense. Three of them are going for the classic loaf tin shape, one is chancing a free-standing cob and two are doing something a bit fancier. But how fancy can you go with a tea-loaf before it stops being a tea-loaf and becomes a cake?

As I understand it a tea loaf is semi-sweet and served with butter. It performs the same function as a scone. I think someone may have gone beyond the limits.

Posted by luvanddaisies (# 5761) on :

I'd love to see the whiny one being sent home rather than being star baker, but despite being deeply irritating, she seems quite good at it.

Not that I'd know - I didn't even know what a tea-loaf was, and now I know it's one of those things you have to be polite about when you're a kid visiting your mum's friends. Jolly good.

Posted by Drifting Star (# 12799) on :

quote:
Originally posted by luvanddaisies:
I'd love to see the whiny one being sent home rather than being star baker, but despite being deeply irritating, she seems quite good at it.

That's what I thought. And however good those last ones may have tasted, they looked horrendous - and the appearance seems to matter for other contestants. Who would even try something that looked like that? [Confused]

Posted by luvanddaisies (# 5761) on :

They seem to like that she comes to them with her little tray of whatever she's made and simpers and does the little girl lost act every week.

The previous week they were saying"oo but she's had exams" when she'd cocked stuff up. Yeah, and nobody else has a life going on [Roll Eyes]

. It would suit the image of the programme if the youngest one won, wouldn't it? It appears that she's good, but she definitely is the annoying whiny little princess.

Posted by kingsfold (# 1726) on :

Well, I didn't see that coming... [Eek!]

Posted by justlooking (# 12079) on :

Me neither. I wondered whether they'd both go. They both failed to impress with the tea loaf but Howard was also last in the technical and his buns didn't deliver. He seems to have a knack for producing things that don't taste good - I think the rope-flavoured bread was his downfall.

I feel fairly confident in predicting this year's winner won't be a man.

Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :

I was sorry to see Howard go. He's one of the nicest of a generally nice bunch of people. But there's a job for him as Wallace when Peter Sallis retires. Sticky bun, Gromit?

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :

The hempen loaf was a bit like the tea biscuits - it lost sight of the prime directive of baking, which is to be utterly delicious.

Posted by Thyme (# 12360) on :

I'm glad I'm not the only one that finds the 'whiney simpering one' very annoying. I feel she trades a lot on her youth and beauty and the camera loves her, but I have never been that lovely or clever even when younger so thought it was just envy.

Her stuff is often very good, but I think she gets away with a lot that the others don't.

[ 25. September 2013, 07:47: Message edited by: Thyme ]

Posted by ElaineC (# 12244) on :

I was a fan of Ruby - until last night. It was a 'whine' too far!

Posted by Oscar the Grouch (# 1916) on :

I'm a bit worried about Kimberley. She looked so strong to begin with but I think that she's starting to struggle. I would hate her to go, though. She has a wonderful smile and seems such a nice person.

Posted by cheesymarzipan (# 9442) on :

It was interesting seeing Kimberley's profiles of the other contestants - I forget when it was, probably during the showstopper.
Ruby would be better if she wasn't miserable about everything she makes - hopefully she'll stop that.
I had to go out and buy dried fruit last night so that I could make a tea loaf though (much less complicated than theirs though!)

Posted by luvanddaisies (# 5761) on :

quote:
Originally posted by cheesymarzipan:

Ruby would be better if she wasn't miserable about everything she makes - hopefully she'll stop that.

I think it's part of her cute little girl lost "I'm so vulnerable" act - she's found it works, so she carries on doing it, with the whole "oh, I'm so surprised that it's good" thing. If you watch her face when they're tasting stuff she's just done the whole "oh it's so bad" spiel about, she looks like a lame soap-opera actor, not surprised at all. Also, every week she says she's winging it, but then she usually says "oh, it didn't go like this in practise" or something else about doing it at home - so which is it? Winging it or practising?

Don't like her at all. I'd love to see her cock it up royally and be sent home. I don't think that'll happen though, even if she completely screws up - she seems quite good (although I know fuck all about baking, most of the time I don't even know what the thing they're baking actually is) and it suits the programme to have the young pretty one win, so they'll edit to make sure she looks as great as possible, and they seem to cut her slack that they don't the others.

Posted by Thyme (# 12360) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Oscar the Grouch:
I'm a bit worried about Kimberley. She looked so strong to begin with but I think that she's starting to struggle. I would hate her to go, though. She has a wonderful smile and seems such a nice person.

I like Kimberley as well. Hoping she wins, but she seems to have dropped off a bit. If Kimberley doesn't win I am backing Christine. She is a bit of a dark horse I think and very likeable.

Ruby just seems to me to be posing all the time, it will be very annoying if she wins.

Posted by Thyme (# 12360) on :

quote:
Originally posted by justlooking:

quote:
Originally posted by Angloid:

Amazing that they had th'internet in Lancashire in 1950!
It was powered by steam.

Posted by Roseofsharon (# 9657) on :

quote:
Originally posted by ElaineC:
I was a fan of Ruby - until last night. It was a 'whine' too far!

That was exactly how I felt.
It's one thing to be dejected about an obvious failure, but those buns looked fine. It seemed to be a bit of attention seeking, especially after what had just happened to Glenn.

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :

I was going to make my (not unusual) sunflower seed and honey loaf - but my eye was caught by Spicy Wholemeal Tealoaf. Clearly brainwashed by GBB, I put that on instead, even though I didn't quite have the right ingredients.

If it comes out like a brick I shall blame the influence of television.

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :

I really like Ruby!

I think she's lovely, clever and a great baker.

I also think her lack of confidence is just that - lack of confidence!

Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :

I used to like Ruby, and I still think she is a great baker, but I am starting to agree on the moaning. However, I think this is just because she is young and immature. Her baking is not immature though, which is why she is still there.

I don't think she will win. It may be that she is still in because she is annoying and a character. I have no doubt that the producers do have some eye to who should stay and who should go.

Posted by Freelance Monotheist (# 8990) on :

I think they all seem like a lovely, fairly evenly-matched bunch this year.I like Kimberley & Frances for their quirkiness & originality, but don't have an overall favourite to win yet!

Posted by seekingsister (# 17707) on :

I like Ruby, she's young so that's why she acts a bit immature. By the way she's also a professional model signed to Models 1 agency.

http://forums.thefashionspot.com/f52/ruby-tandoh-109697.html

Posted by Thyme (# 12360) on :

Oh, that makes sense. I kept wondering about the extremely well done hair, make up and general styling, it didn't seem to fit with being a philosophy student somehow.

Fair dos though, she can obviously bake well or she wouldn't have lasted this long.

Posted by justlooking (# 12079) on :

What we see of the contestants is what the editors want us to see. In the last series there was a young mother who has some similarities with Ruby. (also with Jane Horrocks) She too was constantly flapping around in a panic and claiming she didn't know what she was doing. It got irritating and she was a goner before the semi-finals. From the clip shown at the end of Tuesday's episode it could be the same for Ruby; she's shown panicking, yet again, with Mel telling her to "get a grip" and then as she runs off to find something Mel mutters "get a bloody grip".

Posted by Gussie (# 12271) on :

I do think Ruby is a bit irritating, but I also think she genuinely thinks she's cocked things off when she hasn't. I'd certainly like to try some of the things she's baked.
The great debate in our household at the moment is do we do trifle or tea-bread for a treat this weekend. I fancy the later, but my son has ideas for the former.

Posted by justlooking (# 12079) on :

You could do both.

Posted by Sarkycow (# 1012) on :

I wonder if Christine is a serious contender? She's done fairly well each week, and does quite well with the technicals - she appears to have a good skill base. But I suspect she's to similar to Mary Berry to be allowed to win. Kimberley is very up and down, like a few of the others. Not sure anyone has been consistently good this series.

Posted by M. (# 3291) on :

Ruby is the girl at school who simpers that she hasn't done any revision when she clearly has.

I started off by liking her but she is getting beyond irritating.

M.

Posted by justlooking (# 12079) on :

Well that was nail-biting stuff! I thought Glenn might survive after the suet pudding round. His sugar-work looked impressive and both Paul and Mary had complimentary things to say. Unfortunately, everyone else produced good suet puddings. He was average in the technical challenge of choux pastry nuns but then went to pieces with his puff pastry. What possessed him to reverse the usual method? I couldn't work out what he actually did - instead of folding the butter into the dough he decided to fold the dough into the butter. But how? I'll have to watch it again on iplayer. Anyhow, his pastries were crap.

Ruby didn't panic as much as I thought she might and Mel said "get a ruddy grip" and not "get a bloody grip" as I misheard last week. So it wasn't proper swearing.

Frances is looking like a strong contender to win now.

Posted by Thyme (# 12360) on :

I think they are pretty evenly matched now. I think any one of them could win it.

Ruby seemed a bit calmer this week, although now the camera seems to be catching her at angles which make her look as if she could start wielding a knife like something out of Psycho at any moment.

Or maybe that's just me [Paranoid]

And yes, Glenn rolled out the butter and then put the pastry on top and folded it. Weird.

[ 02. October 2013, 15:20: Message edited by: Thyme ]

Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :

Glenn's method should have produced pretty much the same results as the others. I think there were other things that went wrong here. He had to go in the end - he was clearly the worst of them there.

I think the producers are working the Slightly Crazed Ruby angle. Mel did what Ruby asked her to do, and it was nothing like as dramatic as last week suggested.

And yes, I think there are are fairly well matched. Each of them has good and bad aspects, so it might depend whether the remaining tasks play to their strengths or weaknesses - or rather, the winner will be whoevers strengths are played to.

Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :

I'm not reading the thread because I missed the episode, and the BBC does not put it on iPlayer until the repeat on Sunday. That's the second week in a row I've missed [Frown]

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :

quote:
Originally posted by balaam:
I'm not reading the thread because I missed the episode, and the BBC does not put it on iPlayer until the repeat on Sunday. That's the second week in a row I've missed

I watched it on iPlayer this morning, I don't have a TV.

Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :

must be the cut down iPlayer on Virgin TV

Posted by Dormouse (# 5954) on :

Sorry that Glenn went, but I could quite understand why he did. I'm rooting for Becca or Kimberley - but certainly not Poor Ickle Me Ruby.

Posted by Gussie (# 12271) on :

A couple of weeks ago I thought Glenn was going to start producing some fantastic stuff, but he seemed to go into a bit of a decline. I think they all stand a good chance now, with Beca being a slight outsider as she hasn't won star baker yet.
My family has what we call the Eccles Cake Challenge, where we have to buy eccles cakes when we're on holiday and mark them out of ten. Christine's looked like we'd give them at least a 7 maybe more.

Posted by Sarkycow (# 1012) on :

I felt sorry for Becca, as she did at least as well as Frances, if not better. And yet she didn't get star baker because they thought she could do better. That doesn't seem entirely fair..

Posted by justlooking (# 12079) on :

Quarter-finals tonight.

They have to make a loaf using non-traditional flours for the first round. Howard would have been in his element here. The technical is a dacquoise - a gluten-free dessert made with meringue and coffee custard. Lots of panic potential in that. Finally, a novelty vegetable cake which must be dairy-free. Not sure if that means the cake has to include vegetables in the recipe or look like a vegetable. Beetroot and carrot are the only veg I can think of with cake potential.

Posted by Doublethink (# 1984) on :

Could you make flour out of dried ground beans or peas ?

Posted by Doublethink (# 1984) on :

I assume they get the brief in advance of the day ?

[ 08. October 2013, 19:33: Message edited by: Doublethink ]

Posted by justlooking (# 12079) on :

They know what they're doing in advance for the signature round and the showstopper, so they can practice those, but they don't know the technical till the day.

Well, that was tough. Not too surprised with the result. Was there a bit of [Roll Eyes]

going on at Kimberley's effort in the signature? I thought it looked as if she might be trying to repeat something from an earlier week.

Posted by cheesymarzipan (# 9442) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Doublethink:
Could you make flour out of dried ground beans or peas ?

Apparently chickpea flour is a thing, so other kinds of peas and beans could also make flour if you wanted to.
Here's some interesting ones: non wheat flours

Ground nuts (almonds, hazelnuts etc) can be used instead of flour to make tasty cakes

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :

Chickpea (gram) flour is very common in Asian food - eg pakora and various frittery things. Also in the soca pancakes you get along the Ligurian coast.

Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :

My daughter who is both dairy and gluten allergic (and some nuts) makes her own flours to bake, using a mix of a protein flour (bean or nut flour) and a floury flour (rice, corn) - more here

Interesting that this episode was looking at special diets because that's why my daughter won't watch GBBO - they never cook anything she can eat.

Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :

Haven't watched yet, having had a dreadful urge to go to bed early, but I've used parsnip in a cake. With caraway and lemon drizzle. Parsnip cake recipe

I knew it had been used as a sweet ingredient during the war (with, I believe, banana flavouring as mock banana) and as a dessert at the court of Nero, so I went looking. I found it on the RHS page, but this is it.

Posted by kingsfold (# 1726) on :

For gluten/dairy free etc cakes, this is quite a good place to look. It uses a lot of vegetables for moisture, and derives a lot of the oil from nuts (less good if you've nut issues) and from memory most of them work with rice flour.

But back to GBBO: I've now got irritated with Ruby. She wasn't the only one out of her comfort zone who did well ....

[ 09. October 2013, 08:02: Message edited by: kingsfold ]

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :

I didn't like Ruby's cake, it looked dull and untidy and the colours were uninviting. Kimberley's was far more polished.
Not surprised who went home though.

Posted by justlooking (# 12079) on :

I've looked at some it again on iplayer so I could try to understand the judging, especially between Kimberley and Ruby. In the signature bake they both had issues - ruby's loaf was underbaked and underproved and Kimberley's couronne had too much going on and was dry. They were first and second in the technical so it was all down to the novelty cakes in the end. Kimberley's cake wasn't very sweet but that was the only quibble. It looked very good. Ruby's didn't look as professional as Kimberley's but she had a wider range of decorative effects. She made praline and tempered chocolate and didn't just rely on coloured icing.

Posted by Pearl B4 Swine (# 11451) on :

Being a USA person, I don't know a thing about your TV show, but I just had to mention this- concerning special diet recipes & products. Last week I got a pop-up ad for gluten-free lipstick.
[Roll Eyes]

Posted by Gussie (# 12271) on :

I thought Becca was very lucky this week. Her signature bake looked very professional, but it was a very easy shape and surely using all that ready made fondant icing is cheating? Kimberley did the same thing, but her cake was a more complcated shape and more detailed in it's decoration.
Last week I wanted an eccles cake, this week I want a dacquoiise.

Posted by Oscar the Grouch (# 1916) on :

I agree. Although Christine had a poor week (by her standards), I was surprised when she got the chop - although my wife called it correctly. She seemed to have the potential to be a challenger to win. Without her, it is now down to Ruby and Kimberley. And as much as I hate Ruby's eye-rolling and "poor poor pitiful me" schtick, I think she is ahead of Kimberley at the moment.

I was really moved by the glimpse we had of the five women in a huddle. It really seems as if they are genuinely supportive of each other. You can't help but think that if it were five men in a similar situation, all we would see is testosterone and attempts to belittle one another.

Posted by Dormouse (# 5954) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Oscar the Grouch:

I was really moved by the glimpse we had of the five women in a huddle. It really seems as if they are genuinely supportive of each other. You can't help but think that if it were five men in a similar situation, all we would see is testosterone and attempts to belittle one another.

I'm not sure this is the case - or at least, not in BakeOff "typical" men...With Howard crying when someone else got eliminated and Glenn saying "It should have been me..." when Howard went, I can't help feeling BakeOff Blokes are the kind of blokes I'd like. NOT all testosterone-y.
I thought Glenn was seriously cute.

Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :

I wonder if there is something in Ruby's background that has led her into that self-deprecation thing?

When I was at college, I developed a stammer, and later realised that it was because the men who were admitted in the last year I was there weren't comfortable with any conversation about science. So I might know those tricky words, but I couldn't say them. (I only realised when I apologised for saying "polyploid" to a really nice chap when talking about tomatoes, and he was put out by my apologising.)

If she's had to cover for being good at things for some such reason, and can't see it and switch it off, that could explain it. It might still be an active problem - "I may be on Bake Off but it's only luck, I really make all these mistakes."

Posted by justlooking (# 12079) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Gussie:
I thought Becca was very lucky this week. Her signature bake looked very professional, but it was a very easy shape and surely using all that ready made fondant icing is cheating? Kimberley did the same thing, but her cake was a more complcated shape and more detailed in it's decoration.
Last week I wanted an eccles cake, this week I want a dacquoiise.

I agree about Becca. It was her focaccia that got her through- if there'd been issues with that I think she'd have gone instead of Christine. Paul and Mary seemed unimpressed with her casual attitude to the novelty cake.

[ 11. October 2013, 19:44: Message edited by: justlooking ]

Posted by Sarkycow (# 1012) on :

This stage in the competition is not the time to announce that you haven't made your showstopper before, but "it shouldn't be that difficult". She was lucky to get through.

Posted by Hugal (# 2734) on :

Christine was a gonner from the signature bake. Things just didn't go her way. The only veg based cake I have made is carrot so can't really comment on the cake mixes. Ruby's chocolate was well tempered and the cake looked like it should. I think Becca could come up against the rails and take the contest.

[ 12. October 2013, 18:22: Message edited by: Hugal ]

Posted by justlooking (# 12079) on :

Paul and Mary were positive about Christine's signature bake in spite of the broken crust. I think her dacquoise sealed her fate - slack custard at this stage of the competition is a serious issue.

Posted by Gussie (# 12271) on :

Well no surpises last night. I didn't fancy ay of their Opera cakes, certainly not the one with the artificial banana flavour. Had she actually made it before?
Frances's canapes looked good, and were the only thing I actually fancied eating last night - all the Charlotte Royal's reminded me of something from a horror film.

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Gussie:

Frances's canapes looked good, and were the only thing I actually fancied eating last night - all the Charlotte Royal's reminded me of something from a horror film.

Same here - never heard of Charlotte Royal, but it looks YUK!

I think they are all feeling the pressure now, but the right three are in the final imo.

Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :

Radio Times for next week cunningly figured all four on the cover, with discussions of all four inside. Sneaky.

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :

It was obvious she was going from the first task but what was she thinking, using artificial favour! Especially banana, yuk.

Posted by Sarkycow (# 1012) on :

I might have swapped Frances with Christine for the final three, but I agree with Kimberley and Ruby based on the series so far.

However they all appeared to give up after the canapes this week! The Charlotte brains were yuck, and only Kimberley made a showing there, and none of their showstoppers were showstopping.

Is it me, or is this series a bit more up and down than previous ones? Surely in previous semi-finals it's been hard to judge who should go, because they were all so good, rather than because they were all poor?

Posted by justlooking (# 12079) on :

The selection criteria for the show will be based on more than baking skills. The final 13 would have shown they're able to deal with being on TV and with the possibility of making a mess of things in front of millions. I think also the producers are looking for entertainment value from them. ISTM that following last year's all-male final they selected men who were not much threat to the women they probably knew would be the front-runners. That said, there's always scope for things to go pear-shaped with anyone's bake at any time. That's part of the excitement.

I wasn't surprised Beca went. It was French week and she made Welsh-inspired canapes and a banoffee version of the classic opera cake. It was all too homely. I was surprised Kimberley hadn't won star baker before. Taken overall she seems to have had more good bakes than anyone else. I think Paul and Mary may see her as a bit too safe though. I'd like to see Frances win. Last week she told Mel she'd rather be a mentalist than be boring, after which the camera moved to a shot of Beca and Kimberley.

Posted by Pyx_e (# 57) on :

sigh ruby is gonna win, sigh, the numpty

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :

"Cakes overbaked, icing just wrong ... "

Maybe not!

[Confused]

Posted by Pyx_e (# 57) on :

maybe not indeed

[ 22. October 2013, 19:55: Message edited by: Pyx_e ]

Posted by Pyx_e (# 57) on :

Francis, good!

Posted by Pine Marten (# 11068) on :

Frances [Biased]

Posted by Thyme (# 12360) on :

Frances [Overused]

There was a spoiler in one of the tabloids today. Apparently Raymond Blanc tweeted something that suggested it was Ruby, which of course was denied. Maybe it was a red herring.

I thought it might be Ruby despite her dreadful wedding cake as her pie was so good and she came second in the pretzels.

Very pleased for Frances, she really came up from behind, just shows it's never over till it's over.

Have to say I have warmed to Ruby in the last couple of episodes, she seemed to get over herself a bit and be more self deprecating about the state she gets in. She said something at the start about just wanting to get through without having an 'episode'.

Master Chef Professionals starts next week. (I think it's next week, not this week?) Anyone watching that?

Posted by Gussie (# 12271) on :

I was rooting for Kimberley, but Frances was a worthy winner, certainly her wedding cake was the only one that looked like you might want it at a wedding - I guess there wasn't enough time for fruit cake, but what about pillars?

Think I'm going to have a go at a vegetarian picnic loaf.

Posted by Chesterbelloc (# 3128) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Thyme:
Master Chef Professionals starts next week. (I think it's next week, not this week?) Anyone watching that?

Probably. But am I the only one who longs for the good old days when the (original) amateur Masterchef was much more like the Bake-Off - i.e., talented amateurs doing their own stuff in a home kitchen environment? I could live without good old Lloyd G though.

Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Pyx_e:
sigh ruby is gonna win, sigh, the numpty

Shame she didn't.

Posted by Gill H (# 68) on :

Good result.

Watching the preceding programme, which recapped past year, I felt yet again that they go for certain personality types. Cathryn was last year's Ruby, talented but permanently on the verge of panic or tears. Brendan was last year's Kimberley, consistently good, more reserved than the others and hence seen as smug by some (not me, I loved his bone-dry humour).

Posted by Jade Constable (# 17175) on :

I was surprised at how shoddy Ruby and Kimberley's wedding cakes were - the layers on Kimberley's didn't even look even? Frances' was very pretty as well as interesting and I think that sealed her fate. And those marzipan bees again! Now I want a wedding cake with marzipan bees on it.

Frances has been my favourite from early on though, I do love it when she nips off to Planet Frances [Smile]

The Chelsea Flour Show looked so delicious.

I DID love the look of Ruby's veggie picnic pie though. To be honest the highlight of GBBO '13 has as always been Mel and 'I've never eaten a nun before' Sue.

Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :

A deserving winner. Based on the comments from the judges I think Kimberley would have won if her pie hadn't been so disastrous. Frances won hands down on the wedding cake, it was ideal for her.
Kimberley's cake would have been much better if she had chosen one basic icing technique, like the embossing with shimmer powder overlaid, and then something in a colour to compliment it. As it was it looked untidy. But the inside looked lovely.
Ruby's cake looked awful, her icing wasn't smoothed and her icing cut outs roughly done.

[ 23. October 2013, 18:25: Message edited by: Heavenly Anarchist ]

Posted by Roseofsharon (# 9657) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Heavenly Anarchist:

Kimberley's cake would have been much better if she had chosen one basic icing technique,

Although the decoration/finish on her layers were all different the basic icing, as far as I could see was the same - two layers, both of which needed rolling, placing carefully and smoothing (either almond & fondant paste - or did I hear her say fondant and modelling paste?). Both layers would have taken some time to get a good smooth finish. If she had used a more forgiving type of base icing she would have had more time to dress it up for a show-stopping effect.

I'm so glad that Paul & Mary weren't around to judge the Drum Kit wedding cake I made for my son's wedding in the summer - and I spent a lot longer than 6 hours on it. [Eek!]

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :

Anyone read Ruby's piece in The Guardian ?

Sad (but unsurprising) state of affairs.

Posted by kingsfold (# 1726) on :

"Sod the haters. I'm going to have my cupcake and eat it, too."

That's such a great line!

Posted by Hawk (# 14289) on :

It was Ruby and Kimberly all the way to the end, but their wedding cakes were shambolic. They had the most natural talent in terms of flavours and good eating,though never as precise and pretty as Frances, who really had a impressive style. But how could they win after such travesties of wedding cakes? Frances' wasn't perfect but Ruby underbaked two entire cakes!! Oh dear oh dear. Ruby sometimes does fall to peices when stressed but that was her worst bake in the series! And Kimberley usually does such original, beautiful pieces I was astonished at the cliched lumps that were her cakes. I can't believe they came from her!

I'd have prefered to ignore the wedding cake challenge alltogether and give the prize to Ruby for her performance throughout the series. When taken as a whole she was head and shoulders above Frances, despite her messiness and imprecision in finishing. But Frances was better right at the end so I suppose she had to take it, no matter Ruby's previous brilliance.

Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Firenze:
Anyone read Ruby's piece in The Guardian ?

Sad (but unsurprising) state of affairs.

Impressive piece of writing, though, compared with that final cake.

Posted by Oscar the Grouch (# 1916) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Penny S:

quote:
Originally posted by Firenze:
Anyone read Ruby's piece in The Guardian ?

Sad (but unsurprising) state of affairs.
Impressive piece of writing, though, compared with that final cake.

"Janet and John at School" would be impressive compared with that final cake....

It was a shambles, wasn't it?

I wasn't that surprised by Ruby's meltdown - you always had the impression that her genius had a fragility that might let her down at the key moment. But I was surprised at Kimberley. She hasn't been the most visually stunning, but her creations were usually well executed. She made two big blunders in the final. The picnic pie was a disaster waiting to happen, especially when you saw how Frances and Ruby had gone to such lengths to ensure that their pastry stayed crisp and dry. How someone of Kimberley's obvious talent could have made that mistake astounds me. And then her wedding cake was so.... DULL. It may have tasted fantastic, but surely she knew that it had to be visually good as well, especially when she knew that Frances was bound to produce something great to look at.

If she had avoided just one of those blunders, I think she would have won.

But nothing should be taken away from Frances. She delivered in spades when she had to. And perhaps more importantly, as the judges made clear, she was the one who showed that she had learned and grown as a baker over the course of the contest.

UBB.classic^TM 6.5.0