Bake off 2024 ... when will there be buns in the oven?

[Hobnobswantshernameback]

Any news yet on when the new series is due to start?
can we expect the same presenting/ judging line up as last year?
Do we think the Hollywood handshake will return?
And please god no tacky theme weeks

Mike (farmer) looked like the child of Clare Balding and Stephen Fry.

The 'illusion' cakes all missed the mark none of them could have been mistaken for the actual object those books didn't look like books and were completely standard 'novelty' cakes like I used to wonder over in my mums Woman's Weekly books.

*the duck was the exception but it was moulded from that rice crispy stuff not actual cake so was basically a sculpture and not sure if that's why she didn't win.

I like them all. I'm sure they're made to ham it up by the producers so I don't blame the individuals. I hate to think how I'd come across. I might unite the nation in loathing.

I hadn't remembered the duck was crispie treat - yes, much easier to shape than cake.

But you never know when the judges will consider effort and skill and when they will just go on taste and appearance.

They liked the feathers on the chicken, but it was just a fondant cutter and actually looked a bit of a mess. The handbag was just a kit, the books and jeans were a basic square cake. The canopic jar was a tiny cake - hence being able to stack chiffon cake - and some paste modelling. It looked fab but not really cake sculpture. Some of them were very strategic in going for something easy to shape but not very technical. But that's probably the right choice for week 1.

I suppose it is. Though as I said I don't recall any Perfomative Campness, so I don't want to be to hasty in grading either into an Annoyance Level.

Victoriawould24's description of the Farmer has made me realise I'd misunderstood who the Farmer was - mind you still don't recall campness - he just seem a tad clumsy. Whether it was Peformative Clumsiness or not, next week may reveal.

I thought it was because he's a mechanic

Will anyone be able to capture our hearts as much as Jürgen did from a few years ago 🥰🤣!

I will always miss Mel and Sue, but I like Noel and I enjoyed him and Sandi. Matt had flashes of great warmth towards the bakers but wasn't overall that likeable. Alison is fantastic and I like her and Noel.

The duck was excellent, but I find the baker a bit irritating and sneery. "No, mallards are a bit basic' pissed me off

Against the grain, I liked Andy the pink hat/mechanic, and I loved his illusion cake bag.

Illiyin (sp?) is a very good baker and very funny.

I liked is it Nelly from Slovakia? And I loved her loaf cake, 70s or not!

Farmer Mike seems lovely to me, naturally funny and warm.

No one else has made much of an impression yet, but it's early days. I'm happy it's back.

It's a dark and miserable evening - perfect for a night in front of the TV with a cup of tea and a selection of Mr Kipling's finest. (Though actually we had soup and cheese scones for tea so we've had our baked goods for the night.)

Jon has been dragged through the tabloids today for alleged but probably unproven financial misdemeanours. That must be really hard when you just want to enjoy your time in the limelight for a few weeks. The Bake Off application asks if you have any arrests or convictions but an allegation probably wouldn't be disclosed. And of course could be made up nonsense.

I'm very excited about the Gingerbread Puppet Theatres, I love a good gingerbread challenge.

Anyone else watching live?

I am watching !!!

Not heard the stuff about Jon.

I like biscuits.

Evening all I'm watching

Ooh Crocheted top. Must be warmer.im the tent this week.

Is that a new baseball cap?

Hoping so for hygienic reasons.

I like that top more than I would expect to like it.

Watching live here too!

Some interesting flavour combinations going on

So she doesn't like goats cheese but willing to stick it in a biscuit...... umm...

Sumayah is absolutely beautiful and seems very talented for a 19 year old, but her voice is soooooo whiney and hesitant. I really want her to sound like she has a bit of belief in herself. Maybe it will get better as she settles in.

Oh I want to eat those PB and jam ones.

I want the pistachio ones.

I know what you mean

I just want to say those swans looks and probably taste amazing. And boost her confidence somehow

Those swans do look stunning biscuits.

Are Jeff and Andy hat sharing?

Oooh Dylan... I want one of those!

I can’t cope with Prue talking with food in her mouth doing that croaky voice.

I take it back... goats cheese and biscuits are wonderful.