On paper, Dessert Week on The Great British Baking Show seems weird because, more often than not, the contestants in the tent make, you guessed it, desserts.
Yet every year, the series turns this seemingly oxymoronic week into a visually tantalizing, highly competitive episode.
This season’s Dessert Week featured various British puddings, or the giggle-inducing nickname “puds” (pronounced “poouds”).
The Signature Challenge called for “self-saucing” puddings, either with sauce on the bottom or with sauce inside, like an American chocolate lava cake. The Technical Challenge called for a variation on the classic bread-and-butter pudding, complete with the mystery pantry gimmick attached to it. Finally, the Showstopper challenge asked the bakers to create a vintage “dessert trolley” filled with at least three different types of desserts, and at least one had to include a custard.
The show continues to employ new tricks and gimmicks this season. This week, they had a staggered Signature Challenge for the first time. As mentioned, the “mystery pantry” gimmick returned for the Technical this time, challenging the bakers to come up with flavors for their bread-and-butter pudding.
Some online have complained it feels too Americanized and too competitive for a show most use as their weekly comfort watch. This writer respectfully disagrees. Bake Off’s formula has worked for a long, long time, and the changes add a little drama and flair. Does the series need the changes? No. It could easily stick to the same recipe for years and still be loved. However, sometimes a little dash of change is good. For instance, have you ever had sea salt on a chocolate cookie? It’ll change your life.
As we near the halfway point of the series, we’re going to pivot in this review to discuss the bakers themselves and their chances of making the finals.
Eliminated: Yannis was eliminated this week. This should come as absolutely no surprise. The pediatric doctor has been on the bubble twice out of the previous four weeks, and his bakes throughout the episode missed the mark. While a genuinely pleasant part of the cast, this feels like the last obvious elimination.
Star Baker: The delightful Connie took home Star Baker this week, and rightfully so. She’s been so close to grabbing the crown twice, and she got the Hollywood Handshake during the Signature. This is only the second (correct us if wrong!) handshake this season, with the first going to Moyin with his Basque Cheesecake. Connie has been consistently terrific, and this week’s retro feel leaned into her long baking history. Unless there’s a gigantic fallout, Connie seems destined for the Final 3.
Tom: The wildly tall hairdresser was Star Baker in Week 2 and Week 4, and finished in the top three in Week 1 and Week 5. Tom really knows his flavors, and it’s highly creative when Nigella asks for his recipe for a mojito pavlova. Tom is a strong contender for the Final Three and is likely a lock. But let’s never forget how some of the mighty, like Jurgen, in Series 12.
Clara: An up-and-down week for the Portuguese baker. Clara has absolutely crushed it in Weeks 2-4, winning Star Baker in Week 3. This wasn’t her week, as she was right on the bubble. She’s one of those bakers who could be like Nataliia last season: a dynamic personality in the tent with a strong early run, only to be eliminated in Week 6. Then again, she could be like Aaron, who got in with a few last-minute bake home runs.
Gabe: Gabe is an absolute delight in the tent; however, if anyone ever felt like they were next on the block, it is him. He has grand ideas, and his bakes this week were ambitious, but he always seems to miss the mark by a note or two.
Gary: Ol’ Gazza was killing it this week – taking second in the Signature and first in the Technical. However, he crashed and burned in the Showstopper, just not nailing what should have been a layup for him, and his love for the classics. Gary has always been a safe baker, so it wouldn’t be absurd to see him in the Final 3; however, one of the more complicated, modern bakes calling for flair and audacity may be his undoing.
Mo: The unflappable Mo seemed to have his worst week this week until his apricot dessert in the Showstopper. He leapfrogged nearly everyone but Connie after just a very middling-to-poor first two goes. He seems like he could really break out as the baker to beat, but he’s not there yet.
Moyin: His flavors and his creativity are always on another level, but his execution isn’t always there. He could easily have a run like Aaron from two years ago and crush it. However, he’s still a bit of a mystery right now.
This Week’s Final 3 Prediction: Connie, Tom and Mo.
