GBBO 2018

[cyprusmoira]

According to the DT, Bake Off is due back at the end of this month

Moira

[TeresaFoodie]

Yes, saw the trailer yesterday. There have also been Great British Menu & Celebrity Masterchef trailers. Autumn here we come!

[StokeySue]

Yes, it was on what the papers say last night, the angle being that the papers have picked up on Sandi and Noel being paid at the same rate
And I’ve seen the trailers for NHS themed GB menu

[cyprusmoira]

And I’ve seen the trailers for NHS themed GB menu

I wonder if they will be required to produce food to an NHS budget

Moira

[Busybee]

Sad to realise that once GBBO starts I mentally jump to when it finishes, usually just before the Good Food Show which is late November early December.......and that’s practically Christmas!

Interestingly, I can’t recall (without Googleing) who won last year although I can recall previous winners. I didn’t mind it’s new presenters and the adverts.

Strictly will be starting next!

BB

[PatsyMFagan]

And I’ve seen the trailers for NHS themed GB menu

I wonder if they will be required to produce food to an NHS budget

Moira

I thought exactly the same … it will surely be immoral to see the chefs using very expensive ingredients to feed to the NHS fat cats !

[earthmaiden]

I am getting a bit tired of all of these programmes and don't feel much excitement. Maybe when evenings are dark and cold it will feel different. We could do with a new approach though.

I assume that the NHS thing is a celebration of 70 years. It does feel a bit like the ship sinking whilst the rich continue to banquet on the upper decks but maybe those who are invited will be those who have and continue to give their best and make a difference. They deserve something nice.

[WWordsworth]

I can't seem to find a foodie programme that I enjoy at the moment.
Didn't watch the last series of GBBO because Noel Fielding annoys me, as do the adverts.
Might give this series a chance but only if I remember to record it.

I watched the first few series of GBM but became bored with the drawn out format and switched to just watching the Friday episode. Eventually I gave up because it just seemed to be style over substance with chefs (and judges) focusing on the exotic presentation rather than the cooking.

Celebrity MasterChef?
I will give it a go but I don't expect to have heard of more than a couple of the contestants.

Give me Professional MasterChef or MasterChef Australia every day.

[PatsyMFagan]

I like Nadya's current programme … .hard not to like her enthusiasm

[StokeySue]

I tend to watch the weekly final of GBM but not the course by course stages
I did watch last night because I’d been hearing about James Cochran, whose former employers have somehow managed to trademark his name so he can’t use it for his own new restaurant - like they did to Jimmy Choo

[suffolk]

I’m enjoying Nadya’s programme too. The girl is a real life force

I’m also really enjoying Recipes that Made Me ... BBC2 at 8 pm Wednesday (tonight) . Absolutely fascinating ... Asian family cooking from the sub continent, really well presented.

[cyprusmoira]

Give me Professional MasterChef or MasterChef Australia every day

We are devoted to MC Australia, this years competition has finished so should be shown on UKTV soon, it was on W last year

[WWordsworth]

I completely and thoroughly enjoyed Recipes That Made Me on BBC 2 tonight....
... And I learned how to cook okra without the slime.

[earthmaiden]

Thanks for mentioning 'Recipes that Made Me' Suffs, I'd not come across it before. very interesting.

I also thought that the spice lady on Nadia's programme the other day was very interesting, I had not learned of them being grouped like that before. Very informative.

[Busybee]

I completely and thoroughly enjoyed Recipes That Made Me on BBC 2 tonight....
... And I learned how to cook okra without the slime.

This had passed me by, but I watched tonight on Suffs recommendation..........lovely series, the participants passion and love for their food culture shone through. Great presenter too, I have seen her before but can’t quite put my finger on where.

BB
BB

[beldubby]

Busybee, I believe she was one of the judges on the BBC2 programme presented by Tom Kerridge earlier this year when people were competing to sell their homemade sauces, chutneys etc in a farm shop in the Yorkshire Dales.

[Busybee]

Busybee, I believe she was one of the judges on the BBC2 programme presented by Tom Kerridge earlier this year when people were competing to sell their homemade sauces, chutneys etc in a farm shop in the Yorkshire Dales.

That’s it! I thought some kind of business presenter rather than a cookery show. Thank you.

BB

[beldubby]

And I've just remembered what it was called - Top of the Shop.

[PatsyMFagan]

Thanks for mentioning 'Recipes that Made Me' Suffs, I'd not come across it before. very interesting.

I also thought that the spice lady on Nadia's programme the other day was very interesting, I had not learned of them being grouped like that before. Very informative.

I tuned into this last night …. wonderful

[TeresaFoodie]

Because of 'Recipes That Made Me' last night, I have a curry on the go. I just had to. What a wonderful programme it has been.

I am not too sure if I will be watching GBBO. Trailers shown so far have looked a bit annoying. Sorry Noel.

[WWordsworth]

I watched it last night, didn't really enjoy it.
It seemed a bit dumbed down to me, with the most ridiculous showstopper ever - make a selfie using biscuits
Don't mind Paul and Prue, seems quite a good partnership, but Noel just got in the way.

Probably won't bother again.

[Prettykiwicrazy]

I found the selfie challenge quite cringey. I think starting off with a biscuit week isn’t the best idea , as it’s not the most riveting theme . I’m looking forward to the vegan and Danish weeks this series

[StokeySue]

First one is always slow, too many unfamiliar people, and at least one or two who are useless
Not sure who I fancy to win yet but Ruby will either go far or someone will strangle her

[earthmaiden]

I quite enjoyed it. There seems to be a huge fuss on social media that they started with biscuits. I think biscuits can be quite difficult and made a good first programme. I thought the selfies were fun and quite artistic.

Paul H. still as creepy as ever though .

[TeresaFoodie]

I'm not hooked on it yet. Actually I realise I have never watched an entire series from start to finish. I find Sandi hilarious and very watchable, Paul creepy, Prue ok, Noel - what is he even doing there? I was finding it hard to like any contestants either, so for me it is a forgone conclusion that it is doomed.

I'll watch episode two only if there isn't something else on.

[WWordsworth]

Actually yes, I will watch the vegan episode.

[PatsyMFagan]

I caught up with this last night … the usual mix of eccentrics, competent bakers and those with hidden talents.. I just ff over the bits that annoy me and like others on here, find Noel intensely irritating although he did make a point of offering a positive comment to all the contestants ..

Meant to add, was I the only one who thought the young lady (Social worker?) with the bright hairband looked like she was wearing a false nose and comic glasses ? You would have thought someone from make-up could have done something to tone down her red cheeks and chalk white nose

[cyprusmoira]

We watched "Vegan Week" last night. I was surprised that none of the contestants knowing that they had to use completely vegetable products had not at least tried aquafaba meringues, I think that one of the contestants may have done so

[PatsyMFagan]

and what a coincidence that aquafaba is currently being discussed on this group

[TeresaFoodie]

and what a coincidence that aquafaba is currently being discussed on this group

I thought the same. I was quite impressed with how well the Pavlovas turned out. Comedy glasses and nose girl (Kim-Joy?) is fascinating to watch and I love her eccentric style and her little animal creations. I missed the end. Did someone leave last night? Was it falafel and hummus tartlet man? They looked totally horrible! Ruby continues to annoy me, but only because she looks like the evil HR advisor in my last job. I am totally smitten with Raoul!

I am enjoying it more than I thought I would. Extra Slice on a Friday night is also very entertaining.

[earthmaiden]

I agree but think that Vegan cookery was a very new concept for some and they may not even have heard of it.

Has anyone here tried it? I hate the texture of meringue and wonder if it's the same. It looked great.

[TeresaFoodie]

I've not tried vegan meringue and I wouldn't be tempted. Just looking at one makes my teeth hurt!

[Suelle]

The problem with aquafaba, for some people, may be that you have to find a use for all those chickpeas!

The contestants last night opened at least 3 cans each to get enough fluid.

I'm surprised chickpea canners haven't started selling aquafaba without the peas - I think there'd probably be excess cooking fluid left after processing.

[cyprusmoira]

We have just received a Lakeland shipment, they included their latest catalogue. It includes the biscuit cutter that makes the foxy faces that someone put on their show stopper last night.

Moira

[earthmaiden]

The problem with aquafaba, for some people, may be that you have to find a use for all those chickpeas!

The contestants last night opened at least 3 cans each to get enough fluid

Presumably, if you were Vegan, it wouldn't be too difficult! They can be the base of many dishes and salads and can be frozen!

[Suelle]

Even some vegans don't like chickpeas, just as some vegans eat junk food and hardly any fresh fruit and vegetables!

[PatsyMFagan]

and what a coincidence that aquafaba is currently being discussed on this group

I thought the same. I was quite impressed with how well the Pavlovas turned out. Comedy glasses and nose girl (Kim-Joy?) is fascinating to watch and I love her eccentric style and her little animal creations. I missed the end. Did someone leave last night? Was it falafel and hummus tartlet man? They looked totally horrible! Ruby continues to annoy me, but only because she looks like the evil HR advisor in my last job. I am totally smitten with Raoul!

I am enjoying it more than I thought I would. Extra Slice on a Friday night is also very entertaining.

Kim-Joy's addition of the little animals really annoys me … it's as though she is compensating for other things; having said that she manages to get through each week.

You are right about who left … I loved the guys title for his showstopper (Only Fools Eat Horses - very clever ), but his was apparently inedible.

Ruby's wasn't the only showstopper to collapse, but they liked her flavours.
Raoul is really cute isn't he
Never watch Extra Slice - can't stand Jo Brand reading from the cue cards .... (someone else's jokes/laughs )

[dennispc]

Unimpressed with comedian Tom Allen on Extra Slice, though like him on Mock the Week.

[earthmaiden]

I don't watch the Extra Slice but think last night's GBBO may have surprised some!

[slimpersoninside]

I've given up on Extra Slice and close to giving the Bake Off a miss after last night.

[TeresaFoodie]

I don't mind Jo reading cue cards on Extra, or Tom Allen, but last night was a shocker. I hate it when that happens. It leaves you really doubting the genuity of their judging.

[dennispc]

Xfactor Bake Off. Last episode had every TV cliché in the book. Must have some tears, forced humour and impossible tasks - PH’s recipe for the first bake is five hours and the last 13. The result lacked integrity, producers contrived controversy to increase ratings.

[StokeySue]

Unimpressed with comedian Tom Allen on Extra Slice, though like him on Mock the Week.

Yes

I think an hour of Extra Slice is too much, 30 minutes was a better portion size

They just put stuff in to fill up the time I think

[scullion]

Has anyone here tried it? I hate the texture of meringue and wonder if it's the same. It looked great.

i've made it.
it's, surprisingly, just like meringue made with egg white both in the whisking and in the final result other than a very slight flavour (which could easily be disguised by a tiny bit of vanilla essence). it's really just a matrix to hold the sugar so is a good use of the water if you're needing to use the chickpeas. you can also make it with other 'tinned bean water', from what i gather, although i haven't tried those yet.

[earthmaiden]

Thanks Scully! I might try it one day.

[scullion]

- next time you make 'instant' hummus (that's what i call it when i make it from tinned chickpeas)!

we have been rather uncomfortable about the last couple of episodes on bake-off. it feels like they're trying to make life difficult rather than a challenge for the contestants . making people upset and cry over something that should be given far more time to complete - and should, hopefully, be a gladdening experience ends up being a bit like the cringey programme where people send in film clips of others falling over, chairs collapsing under them or the wedding cake collapsing.
it seems to be descending into 'car-crash' tv.

[earthmaiden]

I agree Scully. However, there is usually one who does a fair job in the time. I wonder sometimes if many have ideas which are far too ambitious in the circumstances and those who plan sensibly do best (apart from the technical challenge obviously).

[cyprusmoira]

I think an hour of Extra Slice is too much, 30 minutes was a better portion size

I think that most weeks.

One of the problems with the main programme IS that they are running out of types of bread or cakes to make. I wonder if it would be worth repeating the challenges from the first series?

[suffolk]

I think that some of the challenges were nigh on impossible given the heat of the summer.

[dennispc]

And this week there were no subtitles available. We recorded Extra Slice, we'll decide whether to watch later. At least we'll be able to fast forward through the 'comedian'.