GBBO

[VikingVagine]

Seeing as the first thread is almost full, I thought I'd start a new one

For good measure, here is Monkseal's blog for this week.

In fairness, James was a medical student, so will have had a rather more punishing schedule than Ruby & her philosophy degree (I know of what I speak, I shared a flat with my DSis who did honours philosophy).

Plus, it never actually felt like James would win, but with Ruby it just feels inevitable, not matter what she does.

And another thing - I don't recall James whining on in a dreary nasal monotone about his exams. Ruby is not appealing, apart from her looks, and she is, admittedly, very pretty.

Wintera - James had a nicer personality though or at least came over that way. Ruby's voice is just so monotone (sorry whichever family member frequents here!)

I get Ruby is young and as i have said plenty of times, is clearly talented BUT i found the showstopper judging really biased this week. Everyone got criticised except Ruby and whilst it is about the taste, you can't set a task like that and then turn a complete blind eye to the fact it looks a bit shit. Just one comment (maybe there was one but was edited out?) would have balanced slightly??

Oh, i don't know... i will continue to watch as i love it so but i don't like the weeks where it is sooo obvious who is going (like this week & with Dani last year!) The four remaining are all good but think Beca could be in trouble next

I predict becca next week, frances next and then Kimberly will go to allow ruby to win

I don't think you can ever say its clear cut though. Last year everyone thought the competition was definitely between James or Brendan and then John won it with a fantastic show stopper. I think Kimberley has a really good chance of winning it myself. Anyway, Ruby will probably have a crap week next week. I've noticed that those who win star baker one week normally have a Shit week the next.

I have to wonder whether I'm watching the same programme as everyone else. I am amazed by the criticism and vitriol towards the contestants and judges - both here and on the GBBO Facebook site. I think many people are reading way too much into things - and projecting thoughts on to contestants and judges that probably aren't there. I've just disliked the Facebook page - it was spoiling my enjoyment of the show.

I thought Ruby's cake looked great and had some lively ideas - far now original than fondant icing.

Caper - I agree, although I do think the Heavy handed editing helps people form those opinions unfortunately.

Yes. I am always a victim of editing.

I like Ruby, now Kathryn last year - there was a fake 'woe is me' whiny type and everybody loved her.

Ruby seems nice enough and is a consistently good baker. If some doofus was insulting me on Twitter I'd want right to reply too.
We're only seeing what is being edited anyway. I honestly don't think people would be as harsh on her if she wasn't so pretty, her looks are brought into most critical comments at some point, and she can't Exactly help her looks.

I actually think they're a decent bunch this year (normally there's at least one I can't stand). Kimberley is a bit competitive, but again, there's editing for you.

I so miss Howard, I loved him, such an endearing, nice man.

I've already commented on how it's edited because I felt a bit guilty for having called Kimberley smug after about the second episode so all i will say is that as a non-baker, I thought they were all really good tonight. I learned a lot about vegetable cake making! They were all really knowledgeable.
I think Ruby did make a lot of her cake from scratch and used quite a lot of different techniques so she probably did deserve star baker.

I think it's obviously been between Ruby and Kimberley since the first week (with a wild card Frances in the previous couple of weeks) but I think it's too close to call.

Oooooh Kimberly was ROBBED tonight!

I like Ruby (when she isn't moaning about how terrible she is) but you can't tell them they need to make a fabulously decorated 3D cake and then ignore the fact hers was practically falling apart.

I think Beca was lucky to make it through. Christine had won SB twice!

Also Paul Hollywood is talking too much. Feedback is always 90% him and then Mary gets half a sentence.

It seemed clear that Paul was looking for a reason to dislike Christine's cake. He sounded like he didn't have a bloody clue and in the end started bumbling on about having just one strong flavour. I thought Christine was also disliked by Mary who has had a cats bum face for weeks when judging Christine. afraid that Ruby is just the favourite. It is a bit dull tbh. Her cake looked v amateur and they just completely ignored it.

And it was really unfair given that Christine made her own fondant and Beca just used shopbought.

And they kept criticising the cakes for being flavourless - you made them make them dairy free and made of vegetables of course they were all horrible

But Kimberly used a pre-formed tin and naff fondant icing. Thought her cake looked a bit like one out of the australian women's weekly kids cakes book, as did becca's. Frances made a great looking cake which didn't taste good. She said herself that she wanted to get the cake out of the way so she could concentrate on the decoration - missing the point of it being a baking programme rather than Cake Boss. Barely any icing and relying on the surprise dry carrot reveal. Becca's didn't taste good. Christine's was a bit dull. While Ruby's shed was a bit wonky, she'd used lots of processes and apparently tasted brill.

She also did a great technical round. She thinks about what she's doing technically - not piping the custard for example. Adding vinegar to the buttercream and so on.

I think people are being incredibly mean and I wish they'd stop obsessing about her looks.

I really like becca too, though wouldn't have fancied her cake because the mix of food colouring and revolting fondant makes me queasy.

The only people who bring up her looks are her supporters.

I don't care what she looks like. The reason she is annoying is because she whines and fishes for compliments constantly.

But you yourself (quoting another poster) commented on her having the "right face for tv".

And a number of posters on this and previous thread have referred to Paul Hollywood fancying her. Obvious allusion to her looks.

Pah. Still like beca. But don't think she bakes as well or naturally as ruby.

And if you look at the other GBBO who will win? Thread there are several comments from detractors based on Ruby's looks. And a smattering of princess di/doe eyed comments.

I like Ruby, I've said it before and I'm amazed how much dislike she generates, or Kimberley, I like her too. I like them all.
Her shed reminded me of James' barn too. What made all the difference for me with Ruby's signature bake was that all the stuff used for decorating was things I actually want to eat, the chocolate, those lovely slabs of almond for the roof, the poppy seeds...and all those pistachios in the cake, I love pistachios.
Whereas I don't like and don't eat if I can help it marsh mellow fondant or royal icing. I wouldn't want to eat any of the decoration on Beca's, Christine's or Kimberley's cake (can't remember Frances' now) so all that is left is the cake itself whereas with Ruby's there would be all the little other bits and pieces too.

I'd never seen that marsh mallow icing thing before is that common? Have to say I didn't really like the look of it to be honest. But then I'm not a big marshmallow fan anyway.

Gracelo Me too.

I also noticed how little commenting Mary was doing towards the end she should push in and speak BEFORE PH sometimes and Mel and Sue should say "What do YOU think Mary?" Maybe she had a bad throat

It's very easy to make and to work with wintera there are recipes online for it I made it before for birthday cakes but even most children think it's too sweet.

Oh I hate that highly sweet icing too Pre diabetes on a plate!!!

Did anyone else think Sue was really upset / annoyed when they were discussing the judging at the end? All felt very tense and spiky, a bit less good humoured all round I think.

Did wonder if this week may be the start of the news about PH's 'dalliance' as the show felt a bit off.

I also thought it was less good-humoured last night, with PH posturing and MB not getting a word in. Also, though I'm sure Ruby's was a great cake, I thought it was telling that Kimberly and Beca were surprised PH said their cakes were bland - and of course the one thing viewers are not able to assess is taste.