The Great British Bake Off Week 9

It’s the Semi-Final of everyone’s favourite baking competition (just my favourite? Ok) and, so far, it’s been quite the competition! There’s been plenty of heat, helping, Hollywood handshakes and amazing flavours and designs.

(You can read my thoughts on the previous weeks: Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7 and Week 8)

For the penultimate week of the competition, the bakers faced Patisserie Week: the kind of week which has me wishing I was in Paris, face in window of a cake shop drooling (and probably getting funny looks from onlookers). Paul and Prue were picky over patisserie, as expected and there was plenty of action in the tent.

DISCLAIMER: SPOILERS FOR THE GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF, SERIES NINE EPISODE NINE AHEAD!

The bakers

The stakes were high this week and, as suspected, the pressure really got to the bakers. Each had a few blips, but I think Ruby came out on top.

The challenges

Patisserie Week began with the Signature Challenge, which saw the bakers make 24 dipped Madeleines. Lemon ruled the day, with all bakers using the citrus in their bakes.

Of course, Paul and Prue were picky over the Madeleines- criticising the bakers flavours and techniques. All I knew was that I wanted one…or one too many!

Next came the Technical Challenge, which saw the bakers make a Torta Setteveli. This was the longest ever Technical and proved extremely…well, technical. There were a lot of components to this bake and so a lot of pressure! Despite the difficulty, most of the bakers got through the challenge in one piece…or in pieces.

Rather than a nap (which the bakers definitely deserved!), the Showstopper Challenge came next. This challenge saw the bakers make a Parisian window filled with 36 pastries (Mill-Fueille, choux pastry and pate sucree). Things got a little bit salty in this challenge, as a few bakers found themselves subbing sugar for salt (by mistake, obviously!) but- even so- the bakers produced some delicious looking bakes.

The result

I wasn’t too shocked with the result this week, I’ll tell you that. I mean, I do think Kim-Joy looked as though she could’ve scooped the prize. Of course, given what she made, Ruby did deserve Star Baker.

I’m actually pretty sad about Briony leaving this week. I think she’s been brilliant throughout the competition and I did think she could’ve made it to the end.

So, there we have it! Nearly 10 weeks of baking based drama done, I can’t believe it! Next week, the winner of The Great British Bake Off will be crowned…how exciting?

(Who do you want to win?).

That’s it from me, for now, but the third entry of my Dissertation Diaries will be up on Sunday.