The Great British Bake Off, Japanese Week review: Hollywood's century ushers in toughest contest yet
The Great British Bake Off’s first ever Japanese Week took us to the land of the rising bun. But which of our magnificent seven bakers would be saying sayonara? Here are all the pancake-flipping, dough-steaming talking points…
Hollywood’s 100th episode was handshake-free
As Noel Fielding pointed out towards the end of the episode, this was Paul Hollywood’s 100th edition as a Bake Off judge. That’s a lot of double denim, beard-trimming and icy blue stares.
It might be tempting to affectionately take the mickey out of the Merseyside master baker – indeed, we’re guilty of it most weeks – but we should also take the opportunity to pay tribute. Hollywood has been the only constant fixture throughout Bake Off history, making him the unofficial custodian of the show. He was the only one of its four stars to stay on when it moved from the BBC to Channel 4 four years ago, playing a vital role in easing that transition. He’s waved goodbye to Mary Berry, Mel Giedroyc, Sue Perkins and, most recently, Sandi Toksvig, but formed a warm screen relationship with all their replacements.
His exacting standards, sage advice, twinkly wit and willingness to play the straight man have been crucial ingredients in Bake Off’s success. He’s one of the best judges on British TV, right up there with Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas and Simon Cowell.
Even his handshake has become highly coveted - although it stayed tucked away again and hasn't been seen for three weeks. Who said he was going soft? Hooray for Hollywood.
Second bad week in succession sent Mark home
Bearded public health worker Mark Lutton had a narrow escape last week, when his pastry cage fell apart and his Bake Off dreams nearly went the same way. It proved second time unlucky. He had another wobbly week but there was to be no reprieve this time. In his own words, he had to “burger off”.
His signature burger-themed steamed buns were thoroughly outshone by sparring partner Lottie Bedlow’s superior efforts. Lottie even served hers with spiralised chips, just to rub salt in. Mark’s technical round wasn’t much better, as he finished third from bottom with a messy layered crêpe cake.
Yet it was the kawaii showstopper that proved the avuncular Ulsterman’s undoing. His emoji-style avocado cake was wittily conceived but messy in execution. As Mark said, you never want to hear the word “inedible” on Bake Off. This cardinal cakey sin duly saw him exit through the tent flaps.
Until the last fortnight, "Mark L" (as opposed to "Marc E") had been one of the most consistent contenders. However, a mid-series dip in form proved fatal. We’ll miss Mark’s cheery, chuckling presence but hey, at least Prue Leith can now stop worrying about the size of his nuts.
Lottie’s Star Baker win continued record run
Crank the Viking metal up to 11 in celebration. Nordic-obsessed panto producer Lottie had a strong week from the start, winning the signature burger battle against bantz buddy Mark L. She came runner-up in the technical with a crêpe cake hailed as “silky smooth”.
Her showstopper of a toadstool-shaped cotton jiggle cake sealed the deal. “In 11 series, I’ve never tasted a sponge like that,” cooed Hollywood. “Last time I had anything like it was when I was actually in Japan. Stunning.”
Lottie was deservedly crowned Star Baker - even though hygiene-conscious viewers keep grumbling that she should tie her long brunette hair back and stop flicking it over the food.
The extraordinary string of results continues. We’ve now had six different Star Bakers in the first six weeks, which is unprecedented in Bake Off history. A sign that this is the most evenly fought series yet?
Co-hosts combined mischief with comfort
Our co-presenters were both on impish form as they roamed the tent causing trouble. Fielding mischievously tried to persuade bakers to toss their pancakes, gleefully encouraged Lottie to say “Cakes are boring” into the camera and ridiculed Hollywood for not liking gherkins or matcha (“What are you, five? You don’t like any green food?”).
Meanwhile, Matt Lucas wore a papier-mâché mango head, quipped that Hollywood had “gone for a crêpe”, riffed on anti-oxidants (“I hate oxidants. I’m totally anti them”) and happily scoffed Lottie’s cherry bomb candyfloss.
Yet both comedians also showed their supportive sides. Lucas cheered on Dave Friday as he grappled with his fondant (“Skill McGill!”) and advised nervy Laura Adlington to “stay positive”. When Laura later became tearful, Fielding was quick to comfort her, gently encouraging her to “keep going”. This was the kind, nurturing Bake Off we know and love.
Improved standard meant judges were nice again
The quality of baking had fallen away in recent weeks, meaning “Praul and Poo” became more critical, occasionally coming across as harsh. Remember that disastrous chocolate brownie challenge, the runny eclair fillings and collapsing pastry cages?
Bake Off’s first ever Japanese Week might have seemed like a stretch into the exotic but it resulted in everyone raising their game. A few of the Asian steamed buns had flaws but all were deemed delicious. The technical was fiendishly tricky but everyone fared pretty well. Most of the showstoppers were cute (especially the two dogs) and creative from the outside, then tastily layered on the inside.
Much more like it. Her Ladyship of Leith could unwrinkle her nose and Herr Von Hollywood could park his silvery scowl for a week.
Curse of Star Baker nearly struck Laura
Big-hearted Laura was thrilled to be crowned Star Baker in Pastry Week but now came crashing back to earth. The pork belly filling in her porcine-shaped steamed buns seeped through the pastry and made them look strangely mottled.
She came last in the technical, with a matcha crêpe cake damningly described as “sad, small and thin” by that pesky Hollywood. Laura needed a successful showstopper to save her skin but her upside down pineapple cake almost went horribly wrong. When her fragile fondant started to tear, Laura became tearful, convinced she was going home.
When the judges tasted the Pikachu-like creation, however, she’d “dropped an ace”, to use Hollywood’s words. The chiffon sponge was light. The citrus flavours were smile-inducing. “A happy cake,” declared the satisfied Scouser.
She narrowly survived and made it into the last six. Next up, it’s Eighties Week. Tension mounts, ice cream melts and they’ll be baking for a place in the quarter-final. Crikey, that came around quick.
