Junior bake off 2023

[jay55]

Starts today 16/1 at 5pm channel4.

New age range this year which makes a lot of sense.

Hope it's good, I do like Liam and Rav as judges.

Was about to start a thread on this. Some very precocious children on it. But love how they take massive disasters in their stride, and how much they helped each other out. Much prefer the simple baking compared to the adults.

The cakes in the showstopper round were mostly lovely and creative. Interesting how varied their ideas were, and it was fairly easy to stop which came from the kids and which from parents...

Yes. The ones about homelessness serious issues did not come from the children. Not sure about the girl claiming she's broken a bone 6 times chasing after hits and has a boyfriend, she's a bit young for that!

My DDs watched it and they both said that! DD1's was unlimited free books for children (which sounds a bit parental to me) and DD2's was Eat Anything You Like.

I love how slapdash some of the bakers are!

Yesterday great. Today, those are not biscuits. Nope. Wafers is a thin excuse. Not biscuits.

Quite surprised at the kid leaving - didn't think Alfie was the worst?

Have they had siblings on before?

Not that I can remember- sad that a twin went!

Oh bless. "It said 4 teaspoons of backing powder, but I added 4 tablespoons."

I loved the tigers, so silly and fun. And what an oops on the baking powder, I'm surprised they supplied enough for that mistake.

This is the best thing on TV at the mo. Little Immie winning star baker tonight plus the presenters are all much better than the adult version.

I like how those who are in the running for star baker get to say so, and they don't come over as arrogant or desperate, they're happy and proud of themselves.
Liam and Rav do a great job of building them all up and being kind when they deal out the criticism.

Tonight's fruit tarts are one of my favourite show stoppers ever. Love the simple creative designs.

So accessible, I can imagine loads of kids at home trying it, whether making pastry or using a bought case.

Just caught up on episodes from the last couple of days. It’s a shame that it’s all the boys that have gone - it was the right decision each day though. Rav and Liam are so good with them, they always make sure they say something nice as well as constructive criticism.

I would love to know how they really feel inside though when they see some of the stuff they have to eat though! Some of those turtles from Thursday’s episodes really didn’t look at all appetising! Not that I would have been able to do any better - I’m so impressed at how good these kids are.

Is Thomas this week the poshest contestant JBO has ever had? He's ready for season 6 of The Crown!

Pinot, yes! He reminds me of John Howard Davies in the classic film version of ‘Oliver Twist’ - the one with Alec Guinness as Scrooge. ‘Please Sir, I want some more!’

That's totally who he is the double of.

I like this bunch, they clearly didn't have enough time for the showstopper but all gave it a good go.

Am I alone in cringing at Harry Hill? He just seems so inappropriate, so many other lovely presenters that would be so much better. His jokes are meaningless to the children and often verging on creepy. Everything else about the show makes it lovely family viewing, but he spoils it.

Last series he seemed to be really irritating some of the older ones. He's better with the younger ones. Though I find Rav very annoying.

I don’t mean Scrooge, of course! I mean Fagin.

I like Harry, he keeps things light and does daft stuff to distract them.

Oo Tristan was quite rude to Harry!

I love Harry Hill.

These children are so lovely and helpful to each other.

I want some gingerbread now.

I love HH. Miles better than Noel Fielding.