GBBO 2017 - warning: may be spoilers!

[Pepper Pig]

Oh gosh. They are all so nice! But I can’t warm to Stephen for some reason.

And I’m loving Noel and Sandi.

[aero280]

I wasn't happy with the hair either; I had a bit of a cringe each time she did it.

[suffolk]

But I can’t warm to Stephen for some reason.

And I’m loving Noel and Sandi.

Enthusiastically agreeing on both counts .... Stephen sooooooooooooooo wants to win ... it's almost painful to watch him on the days when he doesn't get Star Baker

[Busybee]

I’d love Liam to win but I think Sophie has got it sewn up, but........it’s all in the editing and most years whilst the favourites get into the final it’s not who you expect that wins.

BB

[Pepper Pig]

Hmmm. Thought I had mentioned earlier on that my swimming friend’s daughter is a chum of Stacey and was a guinea pig for some of the recipes. Of course they are sworn to secrecy and I have no idea how far Stacey got.

[StokeySue]

I’d love Liam to win but I think Sophie has got it sewn up, but........it’s all in the editing and most years whilst the favourites get into the final it’s not who you expect that wins.

BB

Agree

chum of Stacey and was a guinea pig for some of the recipes

But did she enjoy the tasting?

I think if I was having a flutter I'd go for Sophie atm, calmness and flair, but it could all change. I was with her on the mascarpone, not a fan of sugared ricotta myself

[earthmaiden]

I have a friend who thinks Stephen's wonderful but she and I have never shared the same taste in men . I seem to remember some small hoo ha about him already being semi-professional as well. He does do quite well but is far too smug. I can't remember which woman is which but would have a wager on next week's exit.

I think the move to C4 has been quite good all in all, the challenges are good. Still not mad about Noel for that particular job although he's a nice guy. I guess really I don't care who the presenters are, it is the bakers and judges who interest me.

[PatsyMFagan]

Well, Italian week was interesting with everything in sight melting! I was not impressed with the way that Yan kept running her hands through her hair and then continuing with dough making .

I thought the same

[Hope]

Really enjoying it! Loving the presenters, and judges. PH isn't as annoying as on the beeb. Or was it MB making him annoying?

I really want Liam to win. Sophie seems a bit too up herself. The blond woman (why can I not remember her name?!) seems to always be on the verge of leaving, hasn't really excelled. Stephen is far too competitive. I always like the one who lacks self confidence to win (hmm, wonder why!?)

[StokeySue]

PH isn't as annoying as on the beeb. Or was it MB making him annoying?

I thought this week that the C4 four seem much more of a real team, and I think it was MB stopped it happening previously. Just a feel

[Hope]

[earthmaiden]

Well, the challenges get more interesting! Makes me wonder what they'll come up with for subsequent years. I liked the look of that tart.

I think that sadly, they made the right decision this week. Not who I'd have put my money on before the programme this week - she'll be next week I suspect .

Mr Smugpants was a bit put out not to get star baker I think .

I wonder if Noel should undo the top button of his shirt, what do you think?

[StokeySue]

Exactly earthmaiden
But the decoration on hid showstopper was wonky enough to be my handiwork

[Busybee]

I don’t know, he certainly had an off week but Kate has had a run of off weeks.......I think she should have gone. Either way I doubt either if them would/will make the final.

BB

P.s. thought the challenges were good, the Cumbrian pie looked delish!

[Ratatouille]

Saw it last night and was thinking of Suffs when they were asked to make Bedfordshire clangers and wondering if she could hear her Ma turning in her grave.

Mr smartypants is getting up my nose too.

[Suelle]

Do we think the right three are in the final? Kate has been very lucky, I think - a few good weeks after a tricky start!

[Pepper Pig]

I hope she doesn’t win. I’m still getting over them saving her over Liam. She’s so erratic.

[dennispc]

Well, his chou buns were under baked ... but if they took into account the whole series so far then probably right. The Sun's banging on about it being fixed in someone's favour ... or could that be fake news?

[StokeySue]

Every week either the Sun or the Mirror claims that "fans are furious / fuming / up in arms over the result"
As the piece seems to be posted almost straight after transmission I always wonder whose opinion they obtained

I think all of them had one bad round yesterday, but Kate did at least get everything done and apparently her flavours were good if a bit primary school level

[PatsyMFagan]

I thought the overall quality of their semi final show stoppers last night was way below those in previous series, or am I having a senior moment ?

[Suelle]

I thought the overall quality of their semi final show stoppers last night was way below those in previous series, or am I having a senior moment ?

They weren't brilliant compared to what they had produced in previous rounds even - I think the combination of meringue problems and the heat was just too much. Really, the one eliminated was the worst of a ropey episode, all round.

[dennispc]

I agree with you both, none of them worthy of a semi-final. Even Kate's rainbow was described as untidy – but isn't that the nature of meringue? Never made it myself even though I love it.

Just had a light bulb moment. I haven't enjoyed this series as much as previous but didn't want to pick the obvious – move to Channel 4 and mostly a new team.

I think it's down to the production staff. Every week there's something that is better, harder, never been done before, constantly declaring (to me) we're so much better than the other lot. Also got tired of Paul and Noel creeping up on people – let us watch the bakers please.

And my bette noire from every series – one minute to go and the cakes are nowhere finished and then voila, all is done. When time was called Stacy hadn't finished one of her displays, somehow her cakes were able to make the leap.

Or am I just getting tired of television, we seem to spending more time with it off than on.

[dennispc]

This week's Radio Times has interviews with the four semi-finalists. Sophie says she got the first handshake but it was edited out. Just saying.

[suffolk]

I've lost interest in this series ... Much as I loved Noël being a Clanger that really cannot compensate for the desperation of some/one competitor/s and the blandness of the others.

[Suelle]

I've liked this series, particularly Noel, but none of the three remaining contestants really stands out. I think it's been a pretty level playing field from the start, and it's only by luck that it's this particular set of contestants, and not any of the others.

I've always said that no-one should go out in the first few rounds, until they've all been judged on the basics of cake, bread and pastry - I wonder if that would have made a difference to who survived.

[earthmaiden]

I tend to agree Suelle. I do wonder too if it is really fair to hold the contest in a tent where temperatures fluctuate wildly, that seems to be a challenge too far for amateur cooks.

As before, the finalists aren't those one would have quite expected at the start but maybe that's the fun of the contest. It will be interesting to see who wins.

I know we have been a little unkind about Mr Smartypants, is it me or does Paul Hollywood seem to rather too obviously favour him each week?

All that said, I think it has been a great series with the tent temperature being the thing that has spoilt it.

[scullion]

i've found the series a little lacklustre.
i haven't felt the need to watch it on the day of broadcast if something else looks more compelling and haven't felt that there's a great deal of camaraderie/spark between any of the presenters.
many of the challenges seem to have been designed for failure rather than to make something well - who in the real world makes a 'show-stopper' out of meringue?

I've always said that no-one should go out in the first few rounds, until they've all been judged on the basics of cake, bread and pastry - I wonder if that would have made a difference to who survived.

i agree. it always seems to me that first impressions aren't always the best way to judge something.
the pottery throw down is the same - i don't think people should be chucked out before you see how they hand build as well as throw.

[suffolk]

Apparently Prue Leith has tweeted the Spoiler of All Spoilers!!! The BBC has said she's deleted the tweet naming the winner ... and is very sorry ....

[Ratatouille]

Bit like Shula then or more likely The Donald eh Suffs. Can't keep her mouth (or in this case fingers) shut

[cyprusmoira]

I do not mind who it is as long as it is not that smug man

Moira

[StokeySue]

I agree with Suelle about the elimination

But I think what this series really lacks is a Nadiya, a John Whaite, a James or a Ruby, even an Ed Kimber or a Jo Wheatley, someone with both skill and charisma, neither Sophie nor Stephen quite makes that category

Which is odd, as presumably the same producers are picking the contestants

[suffolk]

I agree with Suelle about the elimination

But I think what this series really lacks is a Nadiya, a John Whaite, a James or a Ruby, even an Ed Kimber or a Jo Wheatley, someone with both skill and charisma, neither Sophie nor Stephen quite makes that category

Which is odd, as presumably the same producers are picking the contestants

Absolutely agree 100%

[earthmaiden]

Maybe no-one with much charisma applied.

[Suelle]

Out of the bakers that got past the first few weeks, I think Yan had a strong character.

[StokeySue]

yes, I was rooting for Yan, - techies (and N Londoners) of the world unite!

[Busybee]

I liked Yan and Liam, I think it’s a real shame he hasn’t made the final. I’m not terribly invested in who wins but expect I’ll be watching.

BB

[suffolk]

I liked Liam ... it appeared that he had a good palate and was a quick learner, adapting and applying skills he'd learned in one area to other types of baking. I think he was the most creative of all the contestants. He'll go far whatever he does.
I'm not keen on Kate ... she's been very inconsistent. Sophie seems capable but uninspired and Steven is just tooooooooo desperate to win for me to care one way or the other.

[StokeySue]

Yes, Liam & Yan formed this year's dose of charisma

I don't object to Stephen as much as some people seem to and I don't really get the "smug" epithet, perfectionist and desperate to win yes,

[Suelle]

It could have been Sophie or Kate really - not much difference between them. Kate's final cake was more elegant, I thought, but Sophie's showed more skills.

[TeresaFoodie]

I thoroughly enjoyed the final tonight and thought the best baker was well deserved of the title. Noel started to grow on me, Paul still failed to do so. I could feel my belly rumbling by the end of all that slicing through layers and lip smacking tasting.

[StokeySue]

Without tasting the two entremets it's hard to tell, but Kate's would have had to be miles ahead of Sophie's to make up for not finishing the technical (and getting the icing technique wrong)

[earthmaiden]

Yes, Liam & Yan formed this year's dose of charisma

Yan was the one who kept running her hands through her hair and then continuing with her baking and I really didn't care for that.

The winner was the person I was expecting out of the three. The standard seemed quite high. I loved the entremets, those glazed tops were gorgeous, I would love to try and make one. All in all, I think it has been a good series with some interesting challenges.

[Suelle]

Without tasting the two entremets it's hard to tell, but Kate's would have had to be miles ahead of Sophie's to make up for not finishing the technical (and getting the icing technique wrong)

The judges did say everyone was neck and neck after the first two challenges, because Kate won the bread round, so it did come down to the last challenge as the decider.

[Ratatouille]

Mr R said it would be Sophie, after a mere glance - because the Kitchen Aids she was using were the same colour as mine

Really either of the girls could have won but I begabn to feel sorry for Stephen because he just got so uptight. Anyway from the end titles it would seem that he and Sophie may well be an item now.

[Pepper Pig]

He's gay, surely? And she has a hunky Irish boyfriend.

[StokeySue]

Yes, I assumed he was just her new gay bezt chum, and I wondered they might look into some kind of baking business partnership, which would be interesting

If you saw Extra Slice he is certainly on Joel Dommet's gaydar

[dennispc]

In Monday's Times was an advert for an evening with Prue Leith to talk about Bake Off. I bet the tickets are all sold by now! Social media (I'm told) reckons she'll be sacked - I doubt it.

I like Suelle's idea of no-one leaving in the first few weeks - with tasks being given a sensible time to complete.

[Pepper Pig]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/11 ... -separate/

[scullion]

I think the comments say it all.

[Ratatouille]

I can't read the article because I always have ad blocker on and refuse to turn it off for the Torygraph!

I did hear an item this morning that PH had been photograped kissing one of this year's contestants, I have a picture of me being pecked on the cheek by Lloyd Grossman - fortunately my husband didn't divorce me!