GBBO Caramel week! 2021 #2 thread

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

New thread for tonight. Will they have to replicate a Tunnock's product? Creme caramel? Can't think what else they might have to do.

The technical never makes any difference in the overall judging, and they've pretty much acknowledged that in the past. Doesn't make any sense to me.

Very sad Jürgen is gone, and thought he was very gracious.

We are all very upset here that the J man has gone 😭😭

Is it only me that thought when Matt and Noel were discussing with Prue and Paul who should go home that Matt said “I don’t know who jürgen to choose”?
And I think totally unfair. All 4 should have gone through. I don’t think Paul liked Jürgen.

Sad anyone had to go. I had a soft spot for Juergen. Also why shouldn’t Pru give handshakes? She sets challenges and supposedly equal say in judging.

Thats what I thought - why is her opinion not equal to Paul's?

My 15 year old DD is really gutted Jurgen has gone. We loved how he just walked away without a word, when Noel was saying some (unfunny) joke or comment. And when he realised he was behind he didn't start rushing or panicking.
I want Chigs to win. I think Crystelles reaction were a bit "faux shock" this week.
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@lollipoprainbow

Don't like Christelle and her fake humility 'oh little old me' persona then screeching down the phone to her family the minute !

Yes, this struck us tonight. So false and it's put me right off her.

Just caught up. Jurgen isn't 'celebrity' enough for the final. The last 2 or 3 weeks he's been getting criticism from Paul as if he was setting him up. The handshake for everyone else was like being bullied at school! Even Prue thought he'd gone a bit far I thought. Having said that, his showstopper was the least attractive even though it was probably the best idea. I really hope Crystelle doesn't win because I can't take any more swooning and fake collapsing. Giuseppe is probably the best baker of the three but don't they usually plump for the young photogenic ones?

I said that before lollipop

I’ve no time for that carry on.

I shall miss the man. 😢 it has been all wrong the last two weeks.

I loved Jurgen! Giuseppe for the win now, but I think it'll be Crystelle, she's very marketable and perfect for the cookery book/daytime TV market. In fact she'll most likely do that anyway.

Yes, I agree the handshakes were bullying towards Jurgen.

It should have been-no handshakes, one handshake or four handshakes. To give three, leaving one person out is disgusting.

Paul and his handshakes. I'm surprised he doesn't behave like The Pope and give them his ring to kiss!

Or two handshakes. Any combination but not three.

@Needdoughnuts That handshake stunt was so mean. Really from that point it was like watching the sinking of the Titanic. You know it's inevitable no matter what he does.

I agree the other three are more marketable, especially the photogenic and dramatic Crystelle and Chigs with his "from zero to hero in 18 months" story. Of course they're also really good bakers. I feel they both have the momentum over Giuseppe who has to shoulder the burden of high expectations but I'd love for him to win it, for Jürgen's sake as well. His presentations have been incredible and he is so likeable.

I don't 5hink Jurgen is arrogant or ungracious - he just cba with drama. The producers can hardly push a not good tv line about him after raoul's win, a couple of years ago. All 4 of today's semi-finalists were far more brilliant than him.

I do find it annoying that Paul's accolades are deemed to out strip pru's when she could bake him under the table any day and so obviously has a more developed palate as a judge.

Paultriarchy. And for some reason, autocorrect knew the word I was thinking of!

Bad choice. Guiseppe should have gone. His flavours weren't good and he just made a tower out of marshmallows and rice. Plus there was no real design element. And he did a tart rather than a solid base for the technical. He should have gone last week tbh, coz his showstopper was poor then also.

It would have been all to play for in the final for Jurgen for sure, but he should be in it. He woz robbed.

Anyone noticed Crystal’s decoration is the same style with flowers week after week, and flavours are also the usuals - passion fruit, mango, coconut, sesame and yuzu? Prue didn’t like her first round and called it different, but Paul loved it.

I agree Juergen was robbed.

Shocked at this decision. I honestly thought they might keep all four.

Also, did you notice in the showstopper that they didn't taste or comment on the structural centrepiece. So those who used puffed rice (Crystelle and Giuseppe) definitely took the easy route as that is acknowledged as an easy way to do 3D structures. Whereas the baked centrepieces took much more effort. Jurgen in particular spent ages on his and it was really intricate but in the end it appeared to count for nothing and he could have spent more time on the little boats.
It seems unfair if it wasn't made clear what the priority was

Yes we thought it was a bit strange that they didn't taste or critique the centre.

@haggisaggis

Is it only me that thought when Matt and Noel were discussing with Prue and Paul who should go home that Matt said “I don’t know who jürgen to choose”? And I think totally unfair. All 4 should have gone through. I don’t think Paul liked Jürgen.

I picked that up as well

All a very odd semi-final. Almost geared towards kicking Jürgen out. A huge shame and I’m disappointed in Paul’s bullying tactics. Horrible. Wishing Jürgen all the best what a true star.

The knicker wetting over the handshake is ridiculous. Paul laps it up.

I hate Paul’s dramatic performance of looking dissatisfied with the bake and then saying he loves it. It’s so boring and predictable.

I also dislike how he criticises some people and let’s it slide with others.

I hate the handshake and the theatrics from the bakers.

I feel like Paul’s overstayed his welcome and he was just mean to Jurgen throughout. As a PP said he didn’t seem to like him.

Typing this I’m thinking maybe I’m just not as into the bake off as I once was. Or maybe I’m just over Paul Hollywood and his hype

Agree that the centrepieces were pointless.

Controversially, I think the handshakes are a useful gimmick to highlight the top bakes - like Craig's "ah-may-zing" in Strictly. I notice Prue's lack of it when she wants to praise something but she doesn't have that "gold star" to hand out.

@Cherrypie32

Ultimately Jurgen just isn’t as marketable as the others though is he. The winners need longevity beyond the programme to keep the Bake Off relevant. I couldn’t imagine Jurgen on with Phil & Holly for instance or fronting his own show. I think he wasn’t show biz enough.

We'll get more of an idea on Friday on Extra Slice. Some contestants, like Lizzie, come across well but others, like George, look scared to death l. They are more in their comfort zones among friends in the tent.

I wasn’t ever a fan of Juergen, I did think he would be in the final though.
Chrystalle constantly makes stripy flowers, I do think she will be the winner, not because of her ability but her looks will sell stuff.