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.

We're watching this on catch up so we are a bit behind - the episode where the first four finalists from the first group are chosen.
What has struck me is their lack of knowledge of some baking categories. Hardly any had made meringues before and the previous week, only a few had made choux pastry. Surely you practice these things before applying?

Just catching up on tonight's start of final week.
Rav really is loooking so gorgeous pregnant (of course she's lovely when her regular size too too).
Loving the green dress tonight.

But they're so young. Even in the regular series there are fairly well known things a baker will say they haven't made before.

I think they're amazingly talented.

I want a set of Noah’s Ark macarons. NOW!

Annabel is going to walk it, surely?

She is amazing, her cake decoration skills are fabulous and I can’t believe how much work she gets done. I would barely knock up a batch of banana muffins in the time she produces immaculately baked and decorated cakes.

I agree that Annabel is amazing!

Max usually gives her a bit of a competition but agree she is so good.

There were definitely some cake disasters in American week.

Annabel does seem to be the strongest overall. But that doesn't necessarily mean she will win.

I feel so sorry for Rav having to taste some of Liam’s more ‘out there’ creations. She just about touched her teeth onto the slime today and I noticed when they were testing the kids’ cauldrons she only tried the biscuits!

Those showstoppers are fabulous bar one or two of them which are good in their own right but not up to the standards of the others.

Surely Ilham must go next. I think she’s been very lucky to stay till now.

I think she’s safe - she’s very individual and creative

I ❤️ Ilham. She was so shy and anxious when she started but her little face just lights up when she gets any praise.

The slime challenge judging was hilarious.

Ilham is just so sweet. She makes us laugh with her view of, “well, it could be worse, but it could be better. I’m so pleased she did so well today.

I’m just catching up on yesterday’s episode and I’m glad to see Ilham do so well with her Chiffon cake. I hope it’s boosted her confidence and she’ll now be on a bit of a roll for the show stopper.

I love her individuality - she’s open about her dislike of the overly sugary elements of the technicals and obviously has a pretty sophisticated palate for her age.

Gosh these kids have been on some amazing holidays though! Niagra Falls, cruising, Thailand… What was lovely though was to see Annabel being just as enthusiastic about Devon and Cornwall.

It’s noticeable that all the kids on this seem to be from comfortably-off families and this was highlighted by the exotic holidays! A lot also do other expensive hobbies like music lessons. It’s understandable really as to become a good baker you have to do a lot of experimenting and less well-off families won’t be able to afford to keep buying ingredients for something that might end up getting thrown away if it doesn’t work (or given away if the family don’t like it/are sick of cake!).

I thought the holidays showed the gap between the contestants.
Annabelle's caravan in Cornwall and Grace doing family Christmas.
Compared with Canada, a cruise and Thailand.

Sad Grace left, but she had form for not quite following the brief and sadly pushed it a bit on the last challenge.

I thought the same.

The way they help each other out is lovely. Tilly has a disaster and says "it's ok" the adults could learn from them

Can someone help me understand where the bakers from the first week have all gone? Why are the finalists all bakers from week 2? I’ve not watched it everyday and I’ve not been very well. Where did I lose the plot? 🙈

@StrawberryJellyBelly , yes you are correct, unlucky for the producers. They got eliminated mon to thurs this week.

That was so entertaining! Illham - ' I wouldn't mind a revolution ' 😆
The multiple pronunciations of 'bavarois'.
Tilly's utter calm in the face of disaster.
The genuine pleasure in each other's achievements.
Just heartwarming TV.