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GBBO - opinions?

999 replies

yawning801 · 29/08/2017 20:04

What are people's opinions on the new Bake Off so far? And yes, I know we're only a few minutes in. IMO the new presenters feel a bit like they're trying a little too hard to be Mel and Sue.

Opinions?

OP posts:
soupforbrains · 19/09/2017 21:11

whatshould Sandi was asking Stephen if he knew what caramel was originally used for. And when she revealed it was leg waxing they both did some 'ouchies' faces and then Stephen said 'well it's still called sugar waxing isn't it...' to which Sandi said 'I love that you know all about leg waxing' and Stephen. Did a. It of fake embarrassed ' er yeah... of course I know about leg waxing... doesn't everyone haha'

It sounds really shit written down but it was fun and playful

soupforbrains · 19/09/2017 21:12

sopass that's Yan. I agree that she's nice.

I quite like a few of them, James is a bit "meh"...

Whatshouldmyusernamebe · 19/09/2017 21:13

Thanks. Oh poor Liam. So close.

soupforbrains · 19/09/2017 21:27

I didn't feel that Liam was that close to being star baker.

And it slightly annoys me that he thought he'd get it...

southeastdweller · 19/09/2017 22:33

I thought that was a bit unnecessary of Stacey to say that Liam thought he was going to get star baker.

Sophie's the least appealing contestants I've seen on Bake Off.

TizzyDongue · 19/09/2017 22:43

Dont think Liam thought he was star baker - he was hopeful: nothing wrong with that surely?

soupforbrains · 19/09/2017 23:03

Yes southeast I agree with you on both counts.

tizzy I feel like the way he said what he said implied he quite clearly thought he had it until it was announced. Being hopeful is fine obviously. They all work hard and will be hopeful if they've had a good weekend that they might get there. BUT I didn't actually think that Liam had that good a weekend and I feel like there is a difference between saying "awww I really wanted star baker, but never mind... I'll just have to try harder" and saying "naw, I thought I was gonna get it, man, so close!"

Maybe it's just me though. shrug

TheweewitchRoz · 19/09/2017 23:15

I'm enjoying it & like most of the contestants too.

TizzyDongue · 19/09/2017 23:38

Oh, must have missed that soupforbrains.

Still like him though.

elsmokoloco · 20/09/2017 05:48

It's just really strange. I'm a huge Mel and Sue fan, but apart from that I'm preferring a Prue/Paul combo. Being from Australia I had no idea who Noel was until I googled him as he is an unknown here, and he seems sweet and genuine. I've always enjoyed Sandy from the huge amount of QI we get on the ABC and/or Foxtel UKTV.

I really expected to dislike the new line-up, but in fact it's the contestants this year that are disappointment. Flo and Julia are the only ones that seemed too be a bit interesting and I wanted to watch what they did each week. Well Flo toddled off early and it looks like I'm riding the Julia Express, and cross my fingers she makes it to the finals.

Usually by week 4 I've got at least 4 or 5 people I'm hoping will make it to the end. Maybe by week six it will be more about the bakes and the bakers and less about how the new hosts are settling in. It would be really sad if the judges and compares were a hit, but nobody really cared who won. I don't even dislike anybody. Which may sound great, but just really means I don't care enough about them to even bother with learning their namesConfusedI really do hope GBBO remains success if only for the very selfish reason that if Bake-off continues to do well then it puts Sewing Bee and Pottery Throwdown in a stronger position too continue.

Next week I'm hoping Puddings is the week they all do well and it really becomes a strong competition. Let's see a few dark horses come out a a very large and mostly forgettable middle pack.

mumofone234 · 20/09/2017 09:32

I really want to make that toffee apple cake - has anyone found a similar recipe anywhere?

ppeatfruit · 20/09/2017 09:32

Igneo I liked that Pnut butter caramel too, yummy. Liam is a baby ,let him have his moment of 'almost' fame Grin he's sweet too.Grin

I think they were making the caramel in one of hottest weeks of the summer , it got very hot . Maybe that was why their dutch biscuits were fairly rubbish. Stacey was waiting for her cake decoration to melt wasn't she?

bookbook · 20/09/2017 09:41

morning
I had to go and and tape the darn thing.
I am really liking the Pru/Paul thing - she is much more subtle than the 'telling' looks Mary used to do. And I really like Sandi , Noel is growing on me.
Yes the contestants don't seem to be getting any better it seems to me atm - they have one good thing, then fall down.
I have never heard of those Dutch waffles - the poor souls . I think It was an unfair technical, as not one got it right.
I too want the recipe for the toffee apple cake - she used dried apples didn't she ....off to google !

ppeatfruit · 20/09/2017 09:49

Pru's a 100% more intelligent than our Paul too! More open minded.

ChardonnaysPrettySister · 20/09/2017 10:01

I like those waffles but never in a million years would I even dream of making them at home.

What next, a KitKat?

ppeatfruit · 20/09/2017 10:06

I think it's good to have basic recipes that anyone can make, like the cottage loaf last week and the waffles.

soupforbrains · 20/09/2017 10:10

Yes I still like him too tizzy I was just a bit 'meh' about it at the time. I love that he's experimental with his flavours and that peanut butter salted caramel shortbread! nom nom nom nom nom

I'm made a similar (but far less extravagantly decorated) caramel apple cake before. It does indeed need dried apple, but it needs to be the sort which is still soft not like dried to the point of being crunchy. I also add a little calvados to mine.

Prue said before the series that she fully intended to 'poach' recipes from the contestants for her next book and she loved the apple cake so I'm sure it will feature in there!

ppeatfruit · 20/09/2017 10:13

Oooh you could use those 'dried but squidgy' apricots or prunes too couldn't you?

ppeatfruit · 20/09/2017 10:16

That reminded of 'puddings' next week Because I use those in my Xmas pudding!

ChardonnaysPrettySister · 20/09/2017 10:21

They usually bring a baking book with the recipes out?

TiramisuQueenoftheFaeries · 20/09/2017 10:29

A few weeks in and I think the new presenters are (mostly) settling in nicely. I enjoy Prue's dryness and her habit of alternately flirting with and mocking Paul - I think she keeps him in his place nicely. Noel also adds an entertaining amount of randomness by drifting around and saying vaguely surreal things to people.

Oddly enough the one who isn't really landing is Sandi - and don't get me wrong, I consider Ms Toksvig in all ways a goddess, but she and Noel don't really seem to have a dynamic yet and we haven't seen her be funny.

My favourite contestant is Yan, but it's obvious she isn't going to go the distance so I just want her out now. Julia is entertainingly mental. I really thought Liam might get Star Baker - he did very well consistently across the weekend and it's frustrating that Star Baker often seems to be all about the showstopper rather than all three challenges. But I guess with Prue calling the toffee apple cake literally the best cake she's ever tasted, there was no arguing with that.

Prue and Paul are obviously fond of Liam though, as who wouldn't be fond of someone young, enthusiastic and full of potential, so perhaps his day will yet come.

NikaKaKa · 20/09/2017 10:39

I was disappointed for Liam, bless him. I thought he would get star baker too. He got the Paul-handshake for his shortbread and did quite well on his showstopper so thought he had it in the bag considering he did well over the weekend.

I always thought star baker was chosen based on the weekend as a whole rather than just the showstopper.

DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 20/09/2017 12:28

Like Prue and think Noel's getting better each week.
I can't blame Liam for being disappointed - after getting the Paul congratulatory handshake earlier, he must have felt in with a chance.
Was sure they would drop James instead of lovely Tom!

HangingRock · 20/09/2017 12:34

I love Sandi and Noel. More than Mel and Sue I liked Mary but Prue is just as good

squoosh · 20/09/2017 12:50

Sandi seems to be a bit of spare part as far as I can see.