The past nine weeks have gone quick and somehow we’re at the Bake Off semi-final already. With it being Patisserie Week, this is the most challenging week in the tent so far this year – I think it’s always best to leave the hardest tasks until the end.
The bakers are asked to make eight elegant and beautifully decorated domed tarts for the showstopper. Of course, they need to be neat and identical as well. Everyone wears ties in homage to Henry, who we said goodbye to last week. In my opinion, I think he should have been there in the tent with them.
Alice makes mocha, hazelnut and orange tarts, which taste amazing with great flavours but she is let down by her piping skills. The tarts seemed pretty massive for a single portion and might have looked better if they were slightly smaller and delicate.
David makes aperitif tarts that look beautiful – I would happily buy one if I saw them in a shop. According to the judges they taste great too, with rhubarb adding a lovely finish.
Rosie makes lemon, raspberry and mint tarts and ends up with pretty looking bakes, a very soft crème pat and perfect jelly. Noel also mentions to Rosie that he is surprised to see her in the semi-final – I’m sure many of us are thinking exactly the same Noel!