Tuesday, 17 September 2013

The Great British Bake Off

I cannot be the only one who is obsessed with this show.
It combines everything that a brilliant TV series should have; hilarious presenters, expert judges, a complete array of contestants, food, Britishness and of course the innuendos. 


I realised how invested I was in this programme last week whilst sobbing to Howard's emotional goodbye to Ali. 
It has become tradition in my university household to have a "Bake off party" every Tuesday evening. It involves a growing number of guests (who are all becoming as obsessed as I am) and everyone must bring a baked good of sorts. We all get so involved and criticise the bakers on a number of things (mainly who wears the best knitwear rather than their baking technique... Ruby wins hands down - although nobody will ever top James from season 3). 

I cannot be the only one who is pleased to see a series that brings so much joy into people's lives (I mean, who doesn't love cake?) take over the TV. I'm so bored of shows such as the X factor who lead people to believe that the only way you can be successful in life is to win a singing competition (which is untrue as I can't remember the name of any previous winner). But GBBO provides light-hearted family entertainment in which you don't have to be young, good-looking or have a sob-story to succeed. It brings people together and has indeed created a baking revolution in Great Britain! I love it!

Anyway, I was thinking of writing a weekly installment of sorts on my thoughts of the programme just shown (as I have a lot of thoughts). But seeing as we have already had four episodes I thought I would give my opinions on the bakers so far...

Ali - I was absolutely gutted when he left last week, although lets be honest his pies weren't great. But he was this years obligatory hot hipster guy (for GBBO newbies; there is always one). He's also a charity worker and seems really kind (I admit I have been stalking his twitter) and who could forget his emotional farewell between Howard and Christine. 

Beca - I'm not sure what to think of her yet. She is this years mumsy baker who created those perfect baby macaroons. Apart from that she hasn't done anything to stand out thus far so she could be a dark horse...

Christine - The Mary Berry wannabe. Again, I'm not entirely sure what I think of her yet. She has won star baker once and her prayers to the "God of Crisp" were answered as she had no soggy bottom; Christine could go far.

Deborah - Oh Debs. She stole Howard's (delicious) custard and he was left with her, quite frankly, horrid custard. One of the greatest - yet controversial - moments in GBBO history. Fabulous.

Frances - In my household she is known as "Bitch-face". None of us like her, for some reason, which is actually quite harsh seeing as she hasn't done anything wrong. She does always go way over the top on the creative side to impress Paul and Mary, though her flavours tend to lack so I don't think she'll last until the end. 

Glenn - when he bakes, he bakes big - a man after my own heart. I think he could go far in this competition, or at least I hope he does because I enjoy watching him crouched next to his oven watching his goods bake. 

Howard - the star of this series so far. He may not be the best baker, but he puts his heart and soul into his cooking (and some incredible artwork). I will also never forget the shot of him in episode one of "When Howard is not baking, he is a keen jogger." in his tiny white shorts. 

Kimberly - I love her. She is so cheerful and does well in every challenge. I think she could be this years' front runner.

Lucy - I remember she was really good in the first episode but completely failed in the second. Remember that bread loaf with the tomato plonked on the top?! 

Mark - I didn't really have any opinions of him as he kind of faded into the background. Probably a good thing he got eliminated then.

Rob - a mushroom foraging fanatic. He was one of the less memorable bakers the first few weeks, however, I am looking forward to his dalek bake tonight which was shown on the episode preview. 

Ruby - another one of this series' stars. I hated her the first episode because she came across like a grumpy teenager. But since she has really grown on me and is probably one of my favourites. She owns fabulous knitwear and my friends and I were convinced her and Ali were flirting!

Toby - Oh Toby. The first victim of Paul and Mary. I really liked him (mainly because he comes from Reading and has a lovely beard). However, he did put salt in his angel food cake instead of sugar which is a schoolboy error. Shame. 

So that is all of this years contestants and my thoughts of them. I was going to write about Paul, Mary, Mel and Sue but they are all Gods and Goddesses and don't need an introduction. 

Anyone else as obsessed as I am?

Becky


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