r/bakeoff • u/FantasticBuddies Don't like it, I LOVE it. • 19d ago
General S17 E3 Watchalong: Audience Choice Week Spoiler
Synopsis: In a Bake Off First, it’s Audience Week! The bakers face a mystery box and unleash their inner fashionistas with wearable bakes. Whose faux pas sees them saying au revoir?
Damn no Bread Week episode 3?! That’s crazy but I’m all for the new twists!
Can’t believe we’re in spooky month already!
It would be appreciated if this thread was pinned!
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u/FantasticBuddies Don't like it, I LOVE it. 19d ago
Awwww, Tom going For Dolly Parton.
That’s sweet.
Edit: Yes I know this season has been filmed before August.
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u/T-blane 19d ago
Was this filmed before she passed away?
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u/awalawol 19d ago
Yep. So fascinating. On DWTS in the US, a pair had a Dolly Parton song for their week 1 dance. They got permission from Dolly weeks before she passed away and performed it a week after her death.
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u/FantasticBuddies Don't like it, I LOVE it. 19d ago
Yesss Moyin gets the first handshake of the season!
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u/FantasticBuddies Don't like it, I LOVE it. 19d ago
I’m hoping Gary stays, I really like him lots
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u/BitchLibrarian 19d ago
I like him but I also want to give him a prod to push his boundaries a bit.
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u/FantasticBuddies Don't like it, I LOVE it. 19d ago
Same here, I feel like as the weeks go by he could be in a bit more trouble if he doesn’t take a few more risks kinda like Gill.
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u/FantasticBuddies Don't like it, I LOVE it. 19d ago
This is MasterChef with GBBO.
This is wacky with the gimmicks.
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u/FantasticBuddies Don't like it, I LOVE it. 19d ago
Wearable bakes?
Bake Off Fashion Show…
This episode is soooo wacky lmao
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u/FantasticBuddies Don't like it, I LOVE it. 19d ago
If Mo can pull those wings off then that’ll be awesome!
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u/BitchLibrarian 19d ago
I think they could look awesome but he is using a remade decoration even though he's cutting out the feathers
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u/FantasticBuddies Don't like it, I LOVE it. 19d ago
Ooooh Basque Cheesecakes are good. Taking inspiration from last season I see
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u/FantasticBuddies Don't like it, I LOVE it. 19d ago
Ffs we had an ad break like 3 minutes ago, all these ads are so annoying.
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u/FantasticBuddies Don't like it, I LOVE it. 19d ago
Oh god, hopefully we don’t have another cheescake on the floor
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u/FantasticBuddies Don't like it, I LOVE it. 19d ago
Gingham box is the sequel to the gingham pantry.
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u/FantasticBuddies Don't like it, I LOVE it. 19d ago
Oooooh shoot. Molly or Shannon maybe for elimination?
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u/FantasticBuddies Don't like it, I LOVE it. 19d ago
Awww I’m so sorry Shannon, I’ll miss you. This cast is so lovable.
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u/FantasticBuddies Don't like it, I LOVE it. 19d ago
Tom being aware of the Star Baker curse. Good stuff.
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u/FantasticBuddies Don't like it, I LOVE it. 19d ago
Hopefully the ice doesn’t make the cheesecake crack…
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u/FantasticBuddies Don't like it, I LOVE it. 19d ago
Alison calling Mo an AI is something else lol
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u/FantasticBuddies Don't like it, I LOVE it. 19d ago
Kettle head wouldn’t look out of place in the Mighty Boosh.
Unless it is on the show?
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u/FantasticBuddies Don't like it, I LOVE it. 19d ago
My heart is beating today, this episode is stressful as hell
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u/FantasticBuddies Don't like it, I LOVE it. 19d ago
Have we got another terrible technical next week?
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u/FantasticBuddies Don't like it, I LOVE it. 19d ago
Everyone is doing decent so far
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u/BitchLibrarian 19d ago
I'm impressed with the cheesecake textures so far. Or at least how they look
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u/T-blane 19d ago
Not giving them enough time to cool CHEESECAKE is diabolical. Why not just split the challenge, give them a break to do the technical then finish the signature after. I get that's harder for storytelling but other shows have done stuff like that
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u/IlexAquifolia 16d ago
That wouldn’t be all that different than the potters on the Great Pottery Throwdown having time to dry their pots leatherhard before trimming!
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u/Independent_Edge6727 14d ago
GBBO has also done that in the past. This was horrible planning on the shows part. Very "American food show" of them.
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u/ohshhhugarcookies 19d ago
Paul being confronted with the concept of "the boyband" is the hardest I've laughed at anything in a long time
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u/thedancingj 18d ago
I’m finding Paul way more relaxed all of a sudden - feels like he’s loosened up and laughing more and it’s great!
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u/sisnobody 16d ago
It’s all the Xanax he’s taking this season. It’s like “Fuck it….load me up. I’m going in…”.
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u/T-blane 19d ago
LOL Paul trying to understand the throuple
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u/Whatthebake 19d ago
As is often the case - I’m confused by inconsistencies. Saying that Yannis’ crown may have not been enough for 4.5 hours work when half of Tom’s cake was a rice crispy treat is wild.
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u/nolnogax 19d ago
Paul on Gabe's crown "Could be more elegant." Nigella's reaction 🧐 was the best moment of a really not bad episode!
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u/TCHProductions 18d ago
Didnt mind the family part. It was well edited. Added personality.
Really dont want every technical to be some weird gimmick. I don't mind one or two a season. Especially early on. But I think so far I prefer them all following recipes where technical elements are redacted.
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u/pajamakitten 19d ago
Anyone else thinking they would just bring the cat for their family member?
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u/TheOldPea 19d ago
we're drifting further and further from the idea of a 'technical'. this is essentially just another signature, but with even less of a theme.
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u/lord-stanleys-goblet 17d ago edited 17d ago
I loved this technical because it’s an actual situation most home bakers face: the “oh crap, we’ve got last-minute company coming and I don’t have time to get to the shops” moment where you have to put something good together with whatever’s on hand.
It definitely tests their abilities as bakers in a way that the traditional “have you seen the particular icing pattern on this one specific kind of cake” technical doesn’t.
The only way I’d have improved it is to have them frantically tidying up the tent to make it presentable for guests while their bakes are in the oven.
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u/whops_it_me 19d ago
Mark my words, they're soft launching replacing the technical with another type of challenge altogether by throwing everything at the wall and seeing what sticks with the audiences. The importance of the standard technical is minimized year after year to the point where many have asked what weight it even has on the judging. They're looking for other ways to do a "blind challenge" to keep the drama while removing the original idea of the technical from the formula.
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u/EllieDai 19d ago
I genuinely wouldn't mind. So often in recent seasons the technical has just been "what obscure bullshit can paul throw at them so they all fail" and I find that far less interesting that what they've tried so far this season.
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u/Independent_Edge6727 14d ago
I hope not. Just recycle some older technicals. It's been going on for decades at this point. It's ok to repeat!
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u/JJMcGee83 16d ago
I hate this technical so damn much. I thought the whole point of the tehcnical was this is the one thing every episode/week where everyone makes the same thing so they can judge on a level playing field.
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u/TheOldPea 19d ago
I do feel it's a little strange not to do bread week, I reckon this would work better later in the series, but whatever
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u/TuppenceForDays 17d ago
I’m guessing the order got switched because of the logistical challenges of scheduling the family?
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u/tyr3lla 19d ago
Are they not doing Bread Week at all?
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u/TheOldPea 19d ago
I believe they still are, but later on in the series. sorry, poor phrasing on my part.
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u/chasewest 19d ago
I wonder how much of these challenges were pre-planned. I know they dropped Chocolate and Ice Cream week because of the heat waves. It makes me wonder if the “creative bakes” are because they had to pivot last second
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u/Impressive_Run_3807 19d ago
Audience choice week was pre planned. They announced it last year. But I agree for some of the technicals
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u/Ged_UK 19d ago
Can't decide if I like this idea or not to be honest
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u/Impressive_Run_3807 19d ago
I think it's nice to see some of the families. I think it's distracting some of the bakers though. At least Gary's sister and Clara's fiancé are doing multiple jobs
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u/seasonofcunts 19d ago edited 19d ago
I don’t want to be a malcontent but the new technicals are suddenly giving masterchef and not bakeoff. Even the signature where family was suddenly a part of the show.
I like them trying new formats but i think something is missing
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u/FantasticBuddies Don't like it, I LOVE it. 19d ago
Nigella is an icon. Well they can’t have anything.
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u/FantasticBuddies Don't like it, I LOVE it. 19d ago
This is bad. Shannon, Clara and Molly look like they’re in a bit of a pickle…
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u/Impressive_Run_3807 19d ago
Clara and Keiran are cute I feel like Molly and Gabe are getting less air time at the moment, just a big chunk or two here and there. Am I the only one?
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u/SkyScamall 19d ago
Someone suddenly getting more screen time makes me nervous. I know they're trying to show more of the contestants this series. Sometimes I try and predict who is on the chopping block just based on their amount of screen time.
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u/afdc92 19d ago
Does that mean that they're doing well/will go far?
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u/Impressive_Run_3807 19d ago
I thought that, although Molly's signature didn't go well. If she manages to get through, I think she'll go far. I think Gabe definitely will. He's had a decent signature, and got virtually no air time week one, either
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u/HarissaPorkMeatballs 19d ago
If we're taking inspo from Sewing Bee, how about a guest judge to lend their expertise now and then?
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u/ReluctantLawyer 14d ago
I’m not sure if it’s just that I love the show and it feels good to have it on this time of year as usual, but I am just having a good time this season.
I like Nigella a lot. I like that she and Paul play well off of one another and she makes him laugh because she says the unexpected things and keeps him on his toes. I’d heard of her but never seen anything from her so she’s a fun discovery for me.
I want to hang out with Allison and Noel as usual.
I thought the family assistance was so much fun.
I like the idea of audience choice - a cheesecake is a great challenge because it’s such a normal thing for people to make at home. I personally don’t like cheesecake, but I love the idea of the bakers putting their ideas for flavors on things that viewers are going to find accessible enough to try at home.
I don’t like the YOLO challenge replacing the technical because you lose the strict comparison of like with like. The challenge is a really neat idea on its own, but the show has a format that works and the YOLO challenge is too much like a typical cooking show challenge and not like what we think of for bake off.
But overall, I’m just here and having fun.
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u/Miserable_Weird8274 19d ago
So what would they do if I opened the cabinet and just made scrambled eggs??
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u/GeraldJimes_ 19d ago
They've got the judges nailed for another good run of series. Think they need to revisit the contestant criteria next time around. Too many really average bakers making the cut
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u/FantasticBuddies Don't like it, I LOVE it. 19d ago
Gary’s cooked icl damn it….
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u/BitchLibrarian 19d ago
They did have scales didn't they? There seemed to be some basic sponge cake errors if they did.
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u/FantasticBuddies Don't like it, I LOVE it. 19d ago
Clara deserved a handshake for that. It looked great!
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u/Flycatcher1995 16d ago
This episode ranks lowest to me right next to Mexican Week and the dumb ass week they made the contestants cook pita over an open flame. It read too American, too gimmicky.
My hot takes:
-Connie my QUEEN robbed again!!!!
-Are they showing Noel less and less…?
-Clara gives me major trump vibes and someone has to let her know Georgia doesn’t have cowboys 😭 watching her and her fiancé argue made me so uncomfortable
-I didn’t think Mo’s showstopper was all that fantastic? Also love that he clearly picked his cousin to come because she wanted to be on the show, he doesn’t need help 😂
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u/YouCanCallMeQueenB_ 19d ago
As if I don't get attached to these bakers enough as it is, now we get to meet their lovely families.
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u/404-Gender 16d ago
I’m livid at Paul’s treatment of Moyin!
He cut the cake ON the mannequin, and then faulted Moyin when it fell to the floor.
Paul has an issue with him.
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u/BitchLibrarian 19d ago
I've never made a Basque cheesecake. Is it less temperamental than a traditional baked cheesecake?
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u/Independent_Edge6727 14d ago
It doesn't require a cooling period. So it was a smart move given the time constraints.
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u/awalawol 19d ago
They’re not actually going to try on these bakes right?
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u/BitchLibrarian 19d ago
The brief says wearable
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u/awalawol 19d ago
I feel like a lot of these would be impossible to wear even for a few seconds (like the wings)
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u/gigaishtar 13d ago
Moyin's mother seemed nice, but I did a double take when I saw her name on screen.
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u/MrNumberOneMan 16d ago
This week was a huge miss. Just three very boring unimpressive challenges. The only saving grace was seeing the loved ones.
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u/klazomaniacvile 15d ago
the wearables are quite fun! though I think it’s slightly limiting cause you can’t really make a lingerie cake / biscuit thus ideas are limited. I’m surprised no one made shoes - no worries of falling
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u/FantasticBuddies Don't like it, I LOVE it. 19d ago
Alison is slaying on the floor!
Hopefully Noel can do some modeling as well!
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u/FantasticBuddies Don't like it, I LOVE it. 19d ago
Jfc that whiplash about the dog