Episode One – Cake Week.
It’s week one of The Great British Bake Off 2021 and we started off with cake week. Our twelve nervous bakers stepped into the tent for the first time and created gravity defying cakes, dared to bake the classic malt loaf, but did they get the perfect swirl in their mini roll?
Signature Bake – Mini Rolls.
The first signature bake set for the season was twelve decorative mini rolls, we saw some ambitious and tempting flavours, but who’s mini roll impressed Paul and Prue the most? Several bakers opted to make black forest mini rolls, whilst Freya and Maggie dared to re-imagine the typical recipe opting for Vegan Lemon and Raspberry and Meringue Base ‘Knit and Natter’ Mini Rolls. The heat was on as George and Lizzie struggled with their timings, the bakers were decorating their bakes whilst George and Lizzie had not yet piped their filling.
The time came for the judges to try the bakes and it was Jürgen and Giuseppe that impressed Paul and Prue the most with their Schwarzwald and Easter Mini Rolls, they were both praised on their perfect swirl and balance of flavours. Maggie and Freya’s risk paid off stunning the judges with their alternative recipes and brilliant bake. Unfortunately it was Lizzie, Amanda and George who fell victim to the time pressures with their fillings melting and their swirls lacking structure.
Technical Bake – Malt Loaf and Freshly Made Salted Butter.
The ever feared technical challenge was next and Prue chose the classic Malt Loaf with Freshly Made Salted Butter. The recipe calls for an even distribution of fruit, a golden brown finish with the added challenge of the bakers making their own butter. With no instructions on cooking time, will the bakers get their golden brown finish or burn their bake? In a fall from grace it was Giuseppe who placed tenth after impressing the judges with his signature bake. Prue warned that those under the age of thirty five might not know about the beloved bake but it was the youngest baker in the tent, Freya, who wowed the judges and placed second. Ultimately it was Maggie who placed first and earned praise from the judges for her excellent bake; not expecting to come first, Maggie shed tears of joy outside of the tent.
Showstopper Challenge – Anti-Gravity Illusion Cake.
Finally the bakers were challenged to bake a gravity defying illusion cake. As well as tempting flavours, the bakers had to elevate their bakes with an anti-gravity design. In their roam around the tent the judges became concerned with Tom’s Classically Spectacular Showstopper cake as his design failed to reach new heights. Despite Tom’s reassurance to the judges that his cake would fit the criteria, he failed to impress the judges with this classical music inspired bake. Jürgen and Crystelle received the most praise with their ‘Night Time Reading’ cake and ‘Bouq-cake’ of Flowers. The pair were praised for their sophisticated designs and delicious flavours, but only one can take home star baker.
Results.
For the first time in the Bake Off tent this year we saw our first star baker crowned; with highs from Maggie, Freya, Crystelle, and Jürgen it was a difficult decision for the judges to make, but ultimately, Jürgen became the first to win star baker. Sadly, we had to say goodbye to our first baker Tom, he left us all on a positive note, stating: “I have always been hard on myself but today I am happy for myself – so that’s something.” He certainly made us happy too, it’s always hard to be the first baker to leave, but even in his short time he still brought joy to the tent.
Bake Off Kitchen Appliances.
You may have noticed the beautiful appliances in the Bake Off tent, with hidden oven doors and pastel fridges, the tent was designed for beauty and ease. If you are wondering where to purchase these items, you can read more about the appliances here.