Arts & Culture

The Great British Bake-Off Week Nine: Semi-Finals

24 November 202123 November 2021By
The Great British Bake-Off Week Nine: Semi-Finals

This week, the four remaining bakers battle each other like no other week in the hope to reach the final of GBBO. The bakers must produce impeccable patisserie, with a multilayer signature, a French technical, and finally epic five-hour showstopper that pushes the bakers to breaking point!

Booking a place in the semi-final meant the bakers had to tackle free-from week. It was Chigs that triumphant and was crowned star baker. But, despite showing some finesse, it was Lizzie that went home just before the Semi-Finals. 

Each of the bakers are no doubtingly feeling the tensions of the semi-finals. Yet each of them still feels proud that they have reached this point within the competition.

“I’m clearly the least capable baker this week. Patisserie isn’t my thing. I need to enjoy it, because what is the worst that can happen. I can go home a semi-finalist, and that’s not too shabby,” Said Crystelle.

“I am shocked to have made it here. I have had to buy new clothes because I wasn’t expecting to make it this far,” said Giuseppe.

“Of course, it will be very exciting to be in the finals. Patisserie week should play to my strengths,” Said Jurgen.

“This week, I do feel out of my depths”, Said Chigs.

A Layered Signature:

Photo by Marianna OLE on Unsplash

The judges wanted the bakers to bake eight patissery-styled layered slices for the semi-final signature challenge.

The bakers had to make sure their slices held their form when cut into, so they displayed their beautiful layers. For this challenge, the judges where looking for high-end bakes.

“I can’t afford to make any mistakes at any part of this bake”, Said Chigs.

“I love patisserie week as it is a chance for the bakers to show off how skilful they are. We are asking for eight even layers within their slices,” Said Leith.

“We want the layers to be clear and impactable. This is the finesse and exquisite flavours. The four bakers have all had a handshake and all been star bakers at least once. So, we do have the best of the best in the tent at the moment,” Said Hollywood.

• Crystelle: Yuzu, Coconut and Black Sesame Slices:

“I don’t want to feel any pressure this week. I just want to bake and enjoy it.”

Crystelle makes her semi-final signature one step harder by adding two baked elements to her layered slices.

During judgement time, Crystelle’s slices were labelled as exotic and different due to her use of colouring of the black sesame sponge. Hollywood was impressed by her use of textures and flavours, which awarded her a Hollywood handshake.

“I’ve never had anything like that before,” Said Hollywood.

• Giuseppe: Tiramisu Slices:

Giuseppe went for the  classic Tiramisu flavouring with an Italian twist by layering Marsala Sultanas. While hoping he doesn’t miss out on any of the ingredients.

While being judged, Leith mentioned how Giuseppe’s slices were elegant, and the sponge was so soft where it had been soaked – it was delicious.

And with no explanation given, another Hollywood handshake was awarded, as Giuseppe impressed with his Tiramisu slices.

• Chigs: Raspberry and Chocolate Slices:

“Over the weeks, you have shown your level of finesse. So, this bake should showcase your new skills,” Said Hollywood.

When it came to judgment time, Chigs slices were mouth-watering.

Hollywood complimented Chig’s on his sponge and his use of chocolate and raspberry flavouring.

With Chig’s flavouring being a fan favourite for Hollywood and Leith, Chigs was awarded the first Hollywood handshake of the semi-finals.

• Jurgen: Murder at the Opera:

Jurgen’s slices will be flavoured out of the ordinary, using beetroot and cassis buttercream.

“The opera has multilayers, much like my bakes!” Said Jurgen.

When it was judgement time, the judges praised Jurgen for his well-defined layers. 

“I think that is sensational. The flavours and the textures are perfect!” Said Leith.

After that three Hollywood handshake signature, Leith comments, “I’ve never had an afternoon as satisfactory as that before.” 

A Tarty Technical:

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by The Great British Bake Off (@britishbakeoff)

 

Patisserie week was about to get even more challenging for the bakers as they faced their toughest technical yet.

Set by Leith, she wanted the semi-finalists to bake a Sable Breton Tart, filled with fresh berries and topped with chocolate curls.

Leith’s Top Tip: Use your time wisely. And remember that setting and chilling is critical.

“It’s quite complicated. The bakers have to do quite a lot of things,” said Leith.

“I’m not sure how the bakers are going to deal with this. Will they get their timings, right?” Said Hollywood.

With each step of the recipe tasking the bakers to make another tart element, the bakers had to work quickly and efficiently.

Using Leith’s very straightforward recipe, the bakers combatted stable dough, meringue kisses, jams, crème mousseline. For this bake, the bakers had to make sure that their bakes resembled the heart of patisserie.

“It just looks like a massive jammy dodger!” Said Chigs.

As the bakers bought their bakes to the table behind their photo, the judges looked out for patisserie perfection.

“They all look very different”, Said Leith.

It was time for the judges to judge worst to best:

In four was Chigs. Hollywood criticised how some of his elements were underbaked.

In third was Crystelle. Although her flavours were excellent, her biscuit was too thin.

In second was Giuseppe. Hollywood mentioned that his Stable Breton was too thin, but overall it had a good appearance.

First was awarded to Jurgen. Even though the biscuit was a fraction overbaked, the rest of the elements were perfection.

“That went well”, Said Jurgen.

A Banquet Theme Showstopper:

The showstopper of the semi-finals was never going to be an easy one for the bakers.

For this showstopper, the judges wanted the bakers to make a spectacular theme of a banquet display, in which they would need to have 12 entremets desserts placed around their edible centrepiece.

“This is going to be one of the most difficult challenges they have done within the tent. There are a few bakers in the tent fighting for their place, but I just can’t call who will go through”, Said Hollywood.

 “What I’m looking for is finesse. The more skills the bakers show within their banquet display, the better,” said Leith.

With the bake taking the semi-finalists five hours, this was to be the longest showstopper the bakers have endured so far in the competition.

“It is about multi-tasking till you almost faint”, Said Crystelle.

Not only must every element have flavour, but it should also work together in harmony – And being patisserie week, all the textures should be pure perfection.

Due to this week being the semi-finals, the bakers have to make this bake count as the final is one whisk away.

Giuseppe:

Giuseppe took inspiration from Tuscany, where he used to live, and will attempt to represent the leaning tower for his entremets display.

He constructed his version of the leaning tower with puffed rice and marshmallow surrounded by dome entremets made from a chocolate sponge with a chocolate cherry insert. 

“If it comes out wonky, I’ve got justification,” Said Giuseppe.

Jurgen:

Jurgen also was inspired by his love for architecture and will be recreating the Torii gate in Japan. For this bake, he will be structuring the gate using a gingerbread biscuit and will make Japanese entremets boats to surround, made from a Genoese sponge filled with raspberry jam and a Matcha Bavarian mousse.

“It is an original idea, and it sounds amazing,” Said Leith.

As Fielding calls it, Jurgens bake is a metaphor for being the gateway to the final.

Crystelle:

With the final at stake, Crystelle was taking no chances with her showstopper. For this week’s showstopper, Crystelle will be making tropical wedding entremets, which will be filled with mango Bavarois and vanilla and coconut Cremeaux. This tropical entremets will surround a themed centrepiece dedicated to her Sister, made from meringue flowers and a fondant candle.

*Fun fact: Crystelle once won a limbo competition on holiday…

Chigs:

Keeping family at the heart of his entremets display, Chigs created his showstopper based around his grandfather’s apple tree.

His centrepiece will be a cinnamon biscuit apple tree. It will be surrounded by an entremets of a carnalised apple insert with caramel and white chocolate mousse, all sitting on a hazelnut biscuit.

“This has never worked for me in practice….” Said Chigs.

“I love that your living on edge,” said Fielding.

After five tensely hours. A dozen stages with a dozen baking technics. And skilful engineering work. The semi-final showstoppers where ready for judgment time… 

With the final so close for the bakers, it was even more complicated for the judges to decide who will stay and who will go home. 

“It always means a lot when the judges love the bake you have made, especially when it is dedicated to someone”, Said Crystelle.

“I’m speechless, and a bit has taken back by the comments the judges have given me. If I were to go home now, I would go home smiling,” Said Chigs.

“In the signature, there were three handshakes, and I won the technical. With that showstopper, there are four-star bakers in the tent,” Said Jurgen.

“We have all become friends, and we are all so proud of each other. It is a very close call,” said Giuseppe.

It was time to say pud-bye:

“It is tough to pick. It really is the best of the best,” Said Hollywood.

“We are in a tough position, and everyone has done so well. I don’t know how you are going to make this decision,” said Lucas.

“This is the worst time to go home,” said Fielding.

The star baker of the semi-final was awarded to Crystelle with her extraordinary showstopper bake, which blew the judges away with design, texture and flavour.

Sadly, the baker that won’t be making it to the final of the GBBO…is known other than the Jurgenator!

*Personally, I am gutted about this decision.

“I feel kind of okay. I kind of saw it coming. I think the others are more shocked than what I am,” Said Jurgen.

“You are one of the most amazing bakers ever, Jurgen”, Said Crystelle.

 

“I’m in the final!” Said Crystelle.

“What am I doing here,” Said Chigs.

“I just want to have a jolly good time next week,” said Giuseppe.

Next week: THE FINAL !