Great British Bake Off

I was surprise none of them had made a souffle at least once. Paul hadn't made a Genoese either.

I do think their baking skills are well tested though. Isn't that the point of the signature bake and technical challenge rounds? Especially the technical challenge because the instructions do not have every step explained, so knowledge and skills come to the fore. The show stopper is all about showing their skills in a creative manner and Ian's show stopper was criticised for not demonstrating enough variation of skills. And as we saw with Flora's show stopper, it has to taste good, not just look good.

Although we do see contestants who finish early cleaning their workstations, I doubt the contestants normally have to clean up after themselves on the show because that would impact on the production time. The contestants probably love not having to clean up like at home! mariann I think the family bakers would need the kitchen to themselves and that includes cleaning up afterwards. You'd just have to sample the results!

I don't think a centre piece is proof of good baker. I think the chocolate tart was more of a test. I thought that blue (sickening colour) peacock was awful.
They are all proficient bakers and its a niggly business trying to find a winner. I'm glad my sons aren't into baking- I'd never get the kitchen to myself and all that cleaning up . 10 bowls smeared with chocolate.
I took what was the City& Guilds cookery course and we got points for washing up as we went along.

Its true Mary and Paul did discuss - but probably a prepared text.
I think they know who will be the winner.

Me too felice, they don't seem to be able to do basics, just "showstopper" stuff!

I was just surprised that none of them had ever made a souffle.

Anybody can fail a souffle!

Tamal and Nadiya have both see sawed between disasters and excellence. That peacock was amazing. They both usually get very good flavours.

I didn't think much of Ian's well at all. Too much technology and not enough cooking.

I am sure even Mary Berry and Paul Holloway have at sometime had total disasters with stuff they have made.

I really like this program. It's far more entertaining that masterchef.

Tonight was the first time I didn't see any of the smugness from Ian that he's become known for, but it could all be down to the editing.

annodomini I think it was deliberate that we didn't even get a glimpse of Nadia's Show Stoppers and what a masterpiece it was.

I did like hearing Mary and Paul talking about how they break down the elements of each challenge to help them decide who goes and who gets Star Baker. I think that's the first time they have spoken in detail about this.

Great show and will definitely be watching Extra Slice this week.

Win or lose, I would love to see Nadiya cooking/baking on TV in some capacity because she's got a great sense of humour and her range of facial expressions is delightful!

I thought Ian missed the point rather in the showstopper stakes, yes his well was wonderful but hardly spectacular.

I agree with the judges' decision though - Flora's carousel looked impressive but obviously didn't taste as good as it looked!

Right decision I think. I feel Paul and Mary have got it in for Ian, almost as a reaction to his early successes. I thought his chocolate tart was technically brilliant and his well was amazing. Flora has been very sweet but muddles through with an emphasis on style over substance. Time to go.

I couldn't make out where Nadiya was going with her peacock but when I saw the finished article, I was stunned. She deserved to be star baker, despite the failed soufflé.

I would rather Ian went......very difficult that last challenge!

What a tense semifinal! Too close to call for me between Flora and Ian.

Chuffed to bits that Nadiya and Tamal made the final. Can't wait.

The only repeat I can find is on BBC2 on 6th October at 1.45am Can you watch it on iPlayer?

Does anyone know if the repat of Wednesday's programme is on this pm? It's usually on about 4pm, but can't see it today.
Only Japanese Grand Prix

Actually they are treated unfairly. Mary appears and produces a wonderful cake and I know she must have baked several until one was finally so perfect. Just as she will have spent hours being back combed and made up and put in her brightly coloured jacket.
This perfect cake is then to be produced by the contestants in an oven where you have to kneel on the floor to look inside it. Whose idea was that?
And then in between you have to make conversation.

The messes they make sometimes! Although last night the cream horns looked mouthwatering. Good for them!

I would much rather have Paul than Ian still in the competition. I so agree about Ian's smugness and I don't think there's been a week when I haven't said to my DH "I wish he wouldn't say things like that out loud" about something Ian said to the camera. I'm sure he's a lovely guy, but I do wonder if his family and friends cringe as I do.

The bubble gum and peppermint would be good fun for a family party! I liked that Nadia chose these flavours and not something more traditional and just because Mary didn't like them doesn't mean lots of others wouldn't. Bah humbug!

No, no munchies. Bubblegum and peppermint???? Yuk.

Hoping for something more edible next week!

I'm disappointed with the offerings this year. The designs are way over the top, bizarre flavourings - not in the least bit appetising and quite a lot of it collapses into a pile of goo.

Last night was the quarter final yet some of it of looked as though our DGCs had been amusing themselves in the kitchen.

I so want Ian to come unstuck. He is so insufferably smug. Nadia has gone from strength to strength and I would love to see her winning.

I love patisserie, but not much appealed last night. Don't like cream horns or coffee flavoured icing and most of the show stoppers looked a bit anaemic to me. Didn't get the munchies watching last night's show!

Was it just me or were the bakes rather unappetising last night, Patisserie no, not really.

He was great and for a while I thought he might be the dark horse, but I think that's Tamal.

Flora and Ian (especially Ian) get on my nerves a bit. It can a turn in a moment at this stage, but I hope the finalists are Flora, Nadia and Tamal.

Shame Paul went. He started off so well but seemed to get worse as the series went on.

Possibly one of my favourite series so far. No allegations of favouritism or bullying, just a great bunch

I LOVE watching Nadia and Tamal - hope one of them win!

The handbag was amazing, but if it was covered in icing then it looked like it would be more icing than cake!