The Great British Bake Off, Season 10 Episode 9: My Thoughts

(I completely forgot to post this during the week!!)

Last week, the bakers panicked over Pastry Week. Steph scooped Star Baker and, sadly, everyone’s favourite tie-wearer Henry left the tent.

This week, the bakers took on Patisserie.

The bakers

Even though the final’s today, and I’ve had time to process, I can’t really get over the fact that Henry left the tent last week.

That being said, I like the final bakers. It’s been nice, as the weeks have gone by, to see the baker’s personalities shine through.

The challenges

The Signature Challenge saw the bakers make a domed tart. David went for an Aperol Spritz (though, thanks to product placement rules, we don’t know that for sure) flavoured tart, Alice aimed for a mocha, orange and hazelnut tart, Steph went for a white chocolate, lemon and raspberry tart and Rosie – a girl after my own heart – went for a gin inspired bake.

Rosie’s bake buckled (or should I say wobbled) under pressure, whilst Alice was praised for all but her piping.

Onto the Technical! Gâteau St Honoré. Sounds like some sort of badge of, erm, honour. Turns out, it’s an intricate patisserie featuring choux buns and pastry.

This challenge proved very technical for Rosie in particular, who had to make her choux buns twice as well as her pastry.

In the end, it looks like all of the bakers had a struggle with this pastry. David’s looks a bit well travelled and Alice’s caramel is very caramelised. Considering her difficulties, Rosie comes out on top!

The penultimate Showstopper Challenge. Those four words make me feel a bit emotional. For the (almost last) showstopper, the bakers had to make a glass cabinet full of cakes. That is literally the only piece of furniture I think I’m ever going to need (apologies to anyone who finds themselves living with me!).

Steph and Alice impressed in this challenge, with their opera and ocean cakes respectively, whilst David and Rosie didn’t tick all the boxes. Rosie’s offering lacked flavour, whilst David was criticised for…making a cake…on The Great British Bake Off?

The result

As the competition gets closer and closer to the final, the result gets even more nail biting. Alice achieved the penultimate Star Baker title, which might just put her in a good position for the final. Whilst, sadly, Rosie left the tent.

As I post this post, we are hours away from the big final. I don’t really know what I’m going to do once it ends, or who’s going to win in the end, but I’ve really enjoyed this series.