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.

I like Noel. I like Matt. Do I like Noel & Matt on Bake Off? No. So unfunny & try hard.

The interest and tension in the show is mainly about the characters and styles of the individual bakers, not the presenters or the judges.

I would keep Pru, keep Noel, get rid of Paul & Matt. Find a 2nd credible judge - bring back Mary?

Take away the wanky unnecessary stuff like domes and gravity-defying bakes.

The partnership between Noel & Matt isn't natural, there's no comic chemistry, it feels very contrived - don't see why you even need to have 2 comedic presenters.

Need someone who is naturally witty.

I would keep Pru, keep Noel, get rid of Paul & Matt. Find a 2nd credible judge - bring back Mary?

I agree, but I doubt Mary would come back. Maybe Nadia??

The show doesn't need two presenters. I'd get rid of the comic interludes and use the time to bring back the history section about the technical bake that they used to have in the early days.

But dont add Tom Arnold as a replacement please, I've had all the knowing sniggers I can take.

Do you mean Tom Allen longwayoff?! I agree Tom Arnold would also be a poor choice for Bake Off though!!

Bring in Jo Brand! Someone with enthusiasm for cake.

That last showstopper was stupid. Fine, set entremets (?) as the challenge but what is the point of stupid constructions made of rice crispies and marshmallows?

Especially when they don't taste them!

My suggested changes
The baking element should be the main thing judged - not jam on the side for example

I agree one presenter is enough. Replace PH and the stupid handshakes.

One hour programme - couple of time I just couldn’t be bothered with last 15 minutes when it was obvious so they didn’t get the viewers. Also so many watch catch up (I can’t).

Most baking in the tent. Bakes that rely on it being cool should be in a real kitchen/pastry kitchen - I want to see the skill, not that it was too hot in a tent for chocolate or other elements to be successful for any of the bakers. (They presumably now have the practice kitchens.)

At least some bakes with all the time needed to do them properly including cooling.

More savoury

When did the Hollywood Handshake shite start? I don't remember it in the much earlier series. I don't care who wins now. No doubt Chrystelle will shed a few tears and dedicate her bake to a dead relative.

I would keep Prue. Bin Paul.
Keep Noel, add in someone people-friendly who isn't going to try to compete for abstract comedy - maybe someone like Diane Morgan.

Each week there would be a guest judge from the baking world who would be there for all 3 challenges and would set the technical challenge.

The timings would be much more generous.

The stupid 'you have to construct a 4 feet tall sugar sculpture that we can ultimately ignore' elements would go.

I like the suggestion to have a guest judge each week. They could introduce some interesting people: bakers from award winning cafes round the country, head of patisserie from a famous hotel, head of cakes for the Women’s Institute (if there is such a thing), National Trust Tea Rooms, etc. A previous winner.

Ha! Thanks Chessie, yes, I mean the sniggery one from the other cake programme. I've no idea who Tom Arnold is so if he's massively inappropriate I apologise to one and all.

Jurgen is my winner. The presenters and the judges should all go.

@EdgeOfTheSky

I like the suggestion to have a guest judge each week. They could introduce some interesting people: bakers from award winning cafes round the country, head of patisserie from a famous hotel, head of cakes for the Women’s Institute (if there is such a thing), National Trust Tea Rooms, etc. A previous winner.

Whatever week it is they could have an expert baker in that field. And Prue of course. Noel and Matt don't bring anything to the show which is morphing more and more each series into a big brother type reality programme instead of showing talent like in the Great Sewing Bee.

Also since the days of Mary Berry and Sandi Toksvig, so many men in the judging / commentating team.

Can't believe it's the final already. Don't feel I know much about the bakers this year.

Am hoping for an epic battle.

Don't know if I can watch tonight.

Jurgen should have been there.

Well, I'll watch the final but this whole GBBO series has somehow lost its fizz for me, although I've enjoyed a good few bits of most of the episodes.

Hopefully it'll be an epic final and I'll have to eat my words.
Well see.

My prediction is still that Chigs should win, but Crystelle will be crowned.

Hope I'm wrong..

@Tulipomania

Don't know if I can watch tonight.

Jurgen should have been there.

He wants you to watch. Juergenthebread on Instagram.

Sadly I have to work so I'll be watching later on catch up.

One thing I've been wondering - do GBBO get some sort of cut from the winner's future income (obvs not forever, but certainly initially/from appearances etc) or is it just the PR potential? I've never thought about the marketability of the winner before as an angle.

Looks like it's going to be a nerve wracking episode

Tea done just in time 😎

Ooh this is very close

Yay! Just got here

I love carrot cake