Though I’m not a fan of slapstick (or food waste), there’s something strangely satisfying about seeing Sandi Toksvig introduce dessert week by slapping a custard pie in Paul Hollywood’s mush. He’s a good sport and whatever he’s being paid… it’s probably enough.
Sandi tells us that baker Terry is ill but will be back next week. I turn to my long-suffering partner, Peter and predict that nobody will be eliminated this week, detailing previous examples in series three and five. Peter looks like a man who wants his partner to get on with writing so he can watch something else on TV. I get on with writing.
A meringue roulade ‘with a perfect swirl’ is the bakers’ signature. Paul says there’s ‘nowhere to hide’ with this challenge. Considering the bakers’ every move, murmur and mishap is recorded for national TV, there’s precious room to hide on any challenge.
Ignoring Prue’s advice that the sugary roulade needs a sharp filling, Briony fills her pecan meringue with treacle tart sweetness, pears and mascarpone cream. Karen dips into her favourite chocolate box flavours for a coffee cream and hazelnut praline dessert.
Kim-Joy is doing what she does best – rocking the rainbow eye shadow and drifting off into a lullaby of her own making. ‘Meringues are like clouds… and they make you think of dreams,’ she explains. Her ‘Sweet Dreams’ roulade is filled with fresh raspberries, softly whipped cream and passion fruit curd. Prue adds her own risqué take on the bedtime story – ‘You go sleep, wake up… and passion follows’.
Dan’s coconut, lime and strawberry roulade is inspired by cocktails he sipped in Florida. Ruby rolls closer to home with piña colada-flavoured memories of a night out in Liverpool. I thought the whole point of a good night out in Liverpool was that you’re not meant to remember it. Anyway her roulade is filled with coconut rum, cream and chunks of roasted pineapple.