The Great British Bake Off

I too am worried about Mary Ann, hope she doesn't explode. I think she could win though.

I wish I could bake like her, that's for certain. I missed the first twenty minutes of the programme because I was making DH a birthday cake! I thought the pork pie round was particularly challenging, but I can't understand why they put so much emphasis on thin pastry - I've eaten pork pies from several prize winning makers in the Derbyshire area (including Chatsworth Farm Shop) and none of them had pastry that thin... I've only made a pork pie once and it was delicious (looked a bit of a mess though), but such a faff I have never bothered again. May try again this Christmas. I was really sorry to see Jason go. He's done well most weeks which is more than could be said for Rob who hung on by his fingernails!

I too though they were a bit harsh with Jason, he did not seem the worse this week and had been so good up till now. Rob should have gone weeks ago, the cynic in me thought they had kept him in the mix to add a bit of spice.

I enjoyed last night's programme. I think the correct ladies are left in (won't say who in case some of you haven't seen it yet).
I have been recording Australian Masterchef on Really channel, and saw them all making croques-em-bouche. They all did an amazing job, but every one of them ended with bandaged fingers from the hot sugar.

Drat! I fell asleep and missed the ending. Now...did I record it, and if I did, have I deleted it? .

I missed the blokes this week - it would have been nice to have had Jason still there. I know who my money is on now, but am full of admiration for all the ladies still left. My attempts at choux pastry have been frankly dismal; my son, on the other hand, makes wonderful choux pastry swans and other creations - a hangover from his days at catering college! He now works in recruitment where there is not much call for choux pastry swans!

One of my daughters had a Croques-em-bouche as a wedding cake/dessert, it was the most beautiful thing not only to look at but also to eat. It cost a fortune, but after watching last nights programme, can understand why, it's definately a work of art to produce properly.

I just love the way everyone on here is so natural and there is none of the usual aggressive competitiveness. There are none of those artificial cliff hangers either ...you know the 'so and so has done quite well but is it enough for them to win?' we just follow them through all the trials and tribulations getting to know each one. It gets to the point where you do not really mind who wins because they are all working so jolly hard.

I missed Jason this week too, I think it was a bit harsh to send him home early

Did anyone watch yesterday evening - what are our opinions on how the competition is progressing? Personally I don't think it so interesting with only a few of the contestants left and am I the only one to miss the male element!!

I must admit that some of the things produced are marvellous - I'm a professional cook and I don't think I could match some of them but then I don't spend all day baking. Infact I've got to the stage of cooking the quickest and the easiest!!

I am still enjoying the programme, I am amazed that they do so well despite the nerves. I think the right person went home.
I am also enjoying Celebrity Masterchef, which I record each day, think I may start a new thread.

I missed the souffle cake bit last night but watched the rest - I could feel my arteries hardening at all the butter they were using, but I love Danish pastries and iced buns! I would not be any one of them next week - the pressure would kill me. Thought the right decision to let Janet go this week, but she is such a sport, I'll miss her.

I did not mind who won before the programme started, but think it was the correct result, she deserved it. Nice to see Rob smiling away at the tea party.

Congratulations Jo. Just wanted to use the new emoticon!

Yes, I think Jo was a deserved winner. She did do alot of practising beforehand in working towards her goal. I was impressed with Mary-Anne's knowledge - no wonder!! she has 700 cook books. I think she must have read most of them and also sampled the majority of her productions It seems that home cooking is becoming popular and hooray to that if it gets the youngsters interested. My 13 year old grandson has been riveted to the programme.

I'd never seen it until last night - how did I miss it? I'm going to check up on on- demand TV and watch the earlier ones.

I've watched some recent episodes of this on iplayer and thoroughly enjoyed the final. I admit to rooting for Jo and although I thought Holly and Mary-Anne did jolly well, I was delighted to see Jo win. How proud her boys were of their mum too; a lovely sight to see when they rushed over to hug her when the announcement was made. Heartwarming stuff.

Like policemen - grans get younger every year don't they!

Have been watching them all from the beginning, having missed the show completely. I have discovered I can sit with my iPad, earphones in, and watch each episode while "Wheeler Dealers" is on (for the umpteenth time!) bliss! "Bake Off" I mean.