Where There's Cake, There's Hope...Bake Off 25

[GetSetFake]

The new series starts on Tuesday 2nd September and the bakers have been named. A few weeks earlier than recent seasons, so taking us nicely from late summer through to the cosiness of autumn.

No change to the team of Paul, Prue, Noel and Alison, which I thought worked well last year - it was a warmer and kinder programme than it has been for a few years.

The usual eclectic mix of contestants, but less of an age spread than some years - a lot of 30 somethings, no-one under 20 or over 60.

Anyone else excited for this season?

The Great British Bake Off confirms return date for season 16 and reveals cast | Radio Times

But Nadia being me...! I hadn't noticed but, yes, that is a bit odd. Maybe just self-consciousness in front of the camera.

Those silicone moulds that Toby's using that curve back over the top look really hard to use - I think you'd need to freeze it solid and that wouldn't work in the time limit.

I liked Aaron's!

A very half hearted "stop it" from Tom there.

I think Jasmine's chocolate cups sounded and looked delicious

They've really upped the ante on the technicals this year.

Oh, I'm feeling a bit sorry for them now. If only they'd had more time.

Jasmines tart or pie looks lovely

Iain is annoying me this week. But I did feel for him not being able to get his tart onto the dish.

The judges are brutal.

I don't like this form of technical.. I like comparing all the same recipes

Yay Lesley!

I'm pleased for Lesley; winning a technical is a nice achievement. The judges often take much notice of it when deciding star baker/who's going but I think the technicals are the toughest round because it's the only one they haven't had a chance to practise.

Edit: don't often take much notice

Really pleased for Lesley.

Did you notice that they've stopped doing the comedy skit at the beginning? It might only have been the dinosaur one at the beginning of the series. I can't remember any since then although I might have missed the beginning of a couple of the episodes.

Goodness. Some of these are complex!

Maybe they read the comments upthread!

@Not2identifying Hooray! The programme is so much better without the forced unfunny sketches.

I agree. We were unanimous, weren't we?

They are a lovely bunch this year. Aaron is so sweet and I love how you can tell he's one of Alison's favourites. She's in fine funny form today.

Argh. I love chocolate but it's awful to work with in this way.

Pleased for Lesley winning the technical. Tom is really irritating me. Nadia looks like toast.

I'm not sure I understood the brief fully. Was it just any kind of chocolate container, so rice crispie chocolate was OK? I thought at first it had to be a tempered chocolate container, but I don't think everyone did one.

And I was thinking fondue would be hot, so would melt the tempered chocolate, but sounds like it's just a chocolate sauce really?

I’m not sure the Pompeii disaster is something that should be celebrated in chocolate.

I don’t think there was a requirement to temper the container - I guess it makes sense for some containers but probably not a volcano.