Wow what a result, it’s not like it was unpredictable, but still a little surprising. But before we get ahead of ourselves lets get back to the show.
Ahhh what is it with the increase in the amount of the bakes needed for the challenges? Two for signature and now three entirely different bakes for the technical! Bloody hell, I think I’ll have to buy a wig to hide the grey hairs, bake with a bottle of wine on hand and have a party to get rid of it all!
Signature Bake – Viennoiseries
What there hell are these when they are at home, I have never heard of them. Oh thats because I, and probably most of you know them by the laymen’s terms: croissants, brioche, or milk loafs. They can be an enriched yeast leavened dough or one made with butter to create laminated layers, similar to puff pastry.
Key points
- Give myself plenty of time to let the enriched doughs rise, and get the bounce (none of this 3.5 hour rubbish).
- As with puff pastry don’t left the butter melt between the folding, so that you get the laminations between the layers.
I’m keen to make a brioche like the one I’ve had for breakfast in France and maybe a croissant. Both types I have never made before, but I’m not sure how brave I am!
Technical Challenge – Triple Classic!
Three bakes, all different, no cross over what so ever and all in 2 hours! In fairness they are all pretty regularly classics and are all pretty simple to make on their own. If made singly they show much technical prowess, but when put together the real challenge is all about the timing.
Key points
- 12 Mini Victoria Sandwiches – home-made name and the piping is paramount, it is the final after all!
- 12 Plain Scones – they need to have good height and need to be glazed to create a good colour
- 12 Tarte au Citron – crispy thin pastry, and an un-scrambled filling!
Showstopper Challenge – Patisserie, choux, sponge, and sugar work extravaganza
This is definitely a one of the most challenging showstoppers I’ve ever seen. It certainly tops last years final challenge of the wedding cake. I almost lost count the amount of techniques that each baker used, Luis even went so far as to make macarons too!
Luis show stopper was clean, concise and so well designed that I can’t fault it. I was confused about how he was going to do a choux rope, but when he revealed it, shear genius.
Richards bake was all technically very very good. His flavours worked and his sugar work phenomenal. I loved his almond brittle sails and the wrap around the middle. I just think the choice of colours were a little off the mark.
My favourite for the whole series has been Richard, and I’m really sad to see him fall at the last hurdle. I have to congratulate Nancy on her win, she had the best week by far with as few fails when compared to the others. Her showstopper may have been basic flavours but they worked well, even if they could have done with a few extra layers. She excelled in the technical, on bakes that she probably bakes every week so she knows how to deliver. With her showstopper it was surprising to see her have almost the same idea as Richard. Her windmill was good, hell even her sails turned, but I didn’t think all the components blended as well as Luis’s.
I know its the final but I do think that they should take into consideration the previous bakes in the series. Richard won star baker 5 times, and I think that Luis lost out on it a few times when he should have got it. I think that Nancy is good, brave and ballsy, but Luis and Richard were stronger and more consistent throughout.
Oh well, roll on the final bake off weekend….what will I do after that?