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

Have a good time! Do you get to see the winner announced and have to keep it secret?
I can't see it not being Jasmine (still can't warm to her) unless they pull out the surprise winner who suddenly does a brilliant and creative job. But it might make it easier to actually watch if the outcome isn't a tense one.

Jurgen should not have been sent home !

I wonder if Aaron could pull it out of the bag. He seems to be on an upwards curve - his presentation on his showstopper was lovely last week.

But I like Jasmine and think she would be a good winner.

Off-topic, but I just so enjoy Prue - I liked Mary Berry, but I love Prue's beautiful enunciation and the way she seems to genuinely mean it when she says she is struggling not to eat more of a good bake.

In terms of who is calm, I really think Lesley was robbed. I was so impressed on the round when she went out, how she just set to and re-made her meringue without turning a hair. I would love to see more from her.

I loved Lesley as well. I would love to see Aaron win but Jasmine and Tom in particular just seem so self confident compared to Aaron’s nerves I can’t see him winning.

I would be fine with Jasmine winning, I would be most irritated if Tom won with one of his over stylised sculptures.

Aaron has improved most for me, so I'd love to see him pull it out of the bag.
Jasmine has remained strong and steady.
Tom has actually worsened, although he always seems to produce a good showstopper - I imagine they're practiced to the nth degree.

But really I can't see anyone other than Jasmine winning.

Jasmine really is a super star. We have seen what a talented baker she is on this programme. She seems like a warm, friendly young woman. She is also sporty, a medical student and although it is the least interesting thing about her, absolutely beautiful. She really should win. I hope they don't do what they did to Jurgen and rob her of her prize.

Right at the beginning I said, "They all seem lovely, I don't mind who wins," and I still feel the same, although Jasmine is the overwhelming favourite in my household because she seems so lovely and with DH and I both having a healthcare background we really value calmness and competence.

agreed! I am late to the thread but I was raging during the task - a free-standing trifle PFFFTTT. It should be made of all of the above out of the biggest glass bowl you have

Dp was frothing about the bowl issue too.

Glad my mum wasn’t watching. She doesn’t consider that a trifle is any good unless it’s got at least a bottle of sherry in it and you don’t want to get to get stopped on the way home after eating!

I miss the history segments 😔

I don't!

Why didn’t Prue try any of the sponge puddings?

I noticed that

My friend and I went to two Extra Slice recordings of previous series but I haven't been to any of this one.

I took some bakes but mine didn't get picked to sit at the front tables.

You have to sign a document agreeing not to reveal who goes home/wins until the episode is aired.
I couldn't believe how long it took to film an episode of Extra Slice - we were there for hours. Good fun though.

I think a trifle has to be in a bowl otherwise it's not a trifle. But I can see why they made them do a standalone one, to make it harder and so they had to think about how to support them.
I liked the look of Tom's black cheesecake! It's just a pity he couldn't make it taste better. I like him generally and I think he gets a hard time on here. He can't help sounding posh; and people wouldn't dream of talking about someone who was 'common' the way they bitch about Tom being posh. In my opinion he listens to criticism and take notes; he upped the flavour in his trifle after they said they couldn't taste the cheesecake. (Pity he overdid the almond so that was all they could taste!)
Jasmine is excellent but I'm getting a bit bored by her winning all the time. I would love Aaron to win; he's such a lovely guy, and his flavours are always really original and interesting. His stuff always looks really professional as well.
Iain had reached his limit, I think.
Toby is a really weird one; if he has a great day for the final, he could just win it out of nowhere, but if he has a bad one he'll just die on his arse.

Evening all, how is it the semi final already ?

Evening

The broadcast started a few weeks early so it'll finish earlier than usual but it's November on Saturday! Can't believe how long I've been watching this show (since the 2nd series). I wonder how much longer it will continue.

Ok my prediction
Aaron is going to win
I think the editing is clever
showing him nearly fail and leave early on
tonight commenting on the other bakers having different skills and how you need all three
next week he'll pull it out of the bag and win and realise he in fact did have all the skills
Am i overthinking this 🤣🤣

Ooh, Paul. Fingernail comment!

Wow paul

My money's on Jasmine.

Nasty comment by Paul to Tom “Hanging on by your fingernails.” Seems cruel for a show normally about kindness.

I thought that was really harsh

I also think Jasmine will win