The Great British Bake Off 2019, episode 2 review, Biscuit Week: Are the Instagram generation showing their worth?
It was crunch time as the dozen surviving bakers braved the tea-dunking terrors of Biscuit Week. On your marks, get set, here are all the talking points from the second episode…
Jamie’s exit was a week overdue
Hapless youngster Jamie Finn arguably should have been sent packing last week but somehow survived at the expense of man-bunned hipster Dan Chambers. After a second ropy week in a row, it was only right that part-time waiter Jamie should finish his shift in the tent.
High on enthusiasm but low on finesse, he looked horribly out of his depth. With his fresh face, frosted tips and nervous giggle, Jamie almost felt more suited to Junior Bake Off than the mothership contest.
His millionaire’s shortbread bars not only fell apart (“Like biscuits after an earthquake,” noted Sandi Toksvig) but were sickly with way too much caramel. He came second from last in the Technical challenge after unwisely egg-washing his fig rolls, much to Paul Hollywood's disapproval. Jamie needed a triumphant Showstopper to save his skin but sadly, his guitar-shaped biscuit sculpture was structurally dodgy and clumsily decorated.
We were relieved when he was rightly eliminated because if he’d seen off another superior baker, it would have been unjust. Perhaps budding musician Jamie can now apply for The X Factor, where he’d look more the part. Simon Cowell’s dazzling dentures can’t be much scarier than Paul’s piercing blue eyes.
Showstopper round was one of most spectacular yet
The crucial climactic round saw the bakers given four hours to come up with an edible 3D masterpiece, sculpted from biscuits. They duly conjured up a veritable edible menagerie to rival Paul Jagger’s unforgettable bread lion from series six.
Behold Helen Garcia’s artistic chocolate-orange tarantula (soon adopted by Noel Fielding), Steph Blackwell’s ginger cat, Phil Thorne’s tortoise, Michael Chakraverty’s Highland cow, Alice Fevronia’s lovely lamb and, most impressively, Somerset vet Rosie Brandreth-Poynter’s triumphant gingerbread chicken - so well realised, you half-expected it to cluck and lay a biscuity egg.
We were also treated to not one but two dragons (that's almost a Game of Thrones' worth), plus David Atherton’s delicate shortbread bouquet of flowers. This year’s young bakers are the Instagram generation and it’s showing in their highly photogenic creations. No wonder the judges clicked “like”.
Alice in Star Baker wonderland
Geography teacher Alice Fevronia went to the top of the class with three exceptional rounds. Her honeycomb peanut mallow bars were neat and delicious. She triumphed in the fig roll technical, before her adorable sheep-shaped showstopper was deemed “a fine piece of work”.
Alice might witter on 19-to-the-dozen, but when she lets her bakes do the talking, the 28-year-old east Londoner already looks like a strong contender.
Tough to call between early pace-setters
Apart from our two Star Bakers so far, Michelle Evans-Fecci and Alice, who else looks promising at this early stage? Well, Steph and Rosie, both 28, seem highly accomplished. Michael, David and tie-clad youngster Henry Bird (aka “the sophisticated toddler”, aka “the pre-pubescent American schoolboy”) also have potential to go a long way.
And could quirky Helena, with her supernatural designs (“I live like every day is Halloween”, as she said last week) become this year’s Kim-Joy? She'll have her fingers crossed.
Narrow escape for Amelia
Fashion designer Amelia Le Bruin breathed a big sigh of relief up on her high stool of judgement. Her “rough and ready” nougat bars weren’t baked properly, she came ninth out of 12 in the technical, and her “Swimming with dolphins” showstopper disappointed.
If it wasn’t for Jamie having two consecutive woeful weeks, Amelia could have been in serious danger. She’s also lucky that Prudence and Paulette didn’t spring the double eliminaton they still have up their sleeves.
Innuendoes are back with a bang
Dough-based double entendres weren’t entirely left behind in the Mel, Sue and Mary era. “It’s nice to have toasted nuts,” deadpanned David, while there was all manner of mucky mirth about Henry’s organ. The one in his local church, that is. Don’t you start as well.
Contestant camaraderie already coming to fore
Leave the bitching and backstabbing to other reality shows. The warm, mutually supportive bond between the contestants is a crucial ingredient in Bake Off’s magical mix and, just two weeks in, firm friendships are forming in the marquee of human kindness.
Michelle came to Jamie’s aid when his biscuits collapsed. Several bakers rallied around to help decorate Priya O’Shea’s. In turn, Priya comforted Michael with a cuddle during his Showstopper wobble. It was cockle-warming to watch.
Noel won style wars - but what was on his jumper?
Presenters outscored the judges in the marquee style stakes this week. Sandi’s rainbow-striped sweater (a sly nod to LGBT Pride, perchance?) was just pipped to the post by goth-friendly Noel’s black jumper with red-and-green pixie print. Well, it looked like some kind of elfin creature. Answers piped onto a gingerbread postcard.
Paul in his element next time
Next Tuesday, it’s Bread Week - always the episode when master baker Hollywood prowls the tent like a silverback gorilla. Meet you back here to discuss whose loaves rose to the occasion and whose hopes turned to crumbs.
Do you love to bake in your spare time? Have you ever made a masterpiece similar to those on the show? We want to see pictures of your best baking successes.
Share yours by tagging #mytelegraphfood on Instagram or email it to [email protected] for the chance to be featured in a post on our Food and Drink Instagram page.
Don't forget to vote on predicting the 2019 Great British Bake Off winner, here.
