Viewers of The Great British Bake Off were triggered when the show returned to screens. The hit Channel 4 show was back for week seven on Tuesday night (October 25) and it was all about custard.
The latest episode saw the remaining contestants tasked with iles flottantes, better known as floating islands, ice creams and cakes, all featuring custard. They were first challenged in the signature to make eight floating islands, a French desert where meringues are poached on top of creme anglaise or English custard.
Paul Hollywood said: "It’s custard week. One of my favourite things to eat ever. We want to see an introduction of colour, flavour and texture." But a surprise came in the technical challenge when hosts Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas told the contestants there would be staggered start and end times for the first time.
It was to ensure the judges can taste the six pistachio and praline ice cream cones before they melt and place everyone on a level playing field. Noel 49, told the amateur bakers: "So could everyone leave the tent except for Sandro."
The other competitors then filed back in at different times as they got their desserts underway. And disaster struck for both Janusz, 34, and Syabira, 32, whose ice cream had melted and did not set while both Kevin, 33, and Abdul, 29, had ice creams that melted fast in front of the judges.
And last, but by no means least, the showstopper was a gateau with set custard that the bakers could decide to finesse in whatever they wanted. Despite coming last in the technical challenge, Syabira went above and beyond to redeem herself in the showstopper with a decorated pina colada cake, which secured her the coveted star baker title for the second week running while Kevin became the seventh contestant to leave the Great British Bake Off tent.
But Bake Off fans were instantly thrown by the themed week as it appeared to bring back 'horrible' memories. @Martin_Veart tweeted: "Runny custard? Horror memories of school dinners. #gbbo." @ChampagneAng echoed: "I hate custard, remember it at school with the skin on #GBBO." @Snozzlenut shared: "So much of this year's #GBBO has not been appetising. The absolute horror of cold custard."
Others, however, were left sharing a different complaint about the theme this week, and the series over all as a matter of fact. @Rochford691 tweeted: "Not impressed so far with the lack of actual baking in this series #GBBO." @tickticktimer said: "truly i am watching this series in spite of the hosting and the baffling challenge choices, where is the baking? WHERE IS THE BAKING? #GBBO."
@gem_mcgroarty shared: "Is custard actually baking?! Seems like this series keeps getting more Masterchef-ish each week - this exact challenge was even on it! #GBBO." @sarahkempster_ posted: "I just. Can I just, ask…why, urm. Can some just expl- WHY ARENT THEY BAKING ON BAKE OFF ANYMORE. What’s wrong with a cake #GBBO." @naboobabu fumed: "Actually please tell me how the f**k ice cream is baking????? The sanctity of bake off is lost #GBBO."
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