So, it’s Wednesday night, and many of us are going to feel as empty as an unfilled doughnut. Tonight, there is no Bake Off. Week upon week, we have been glued to our screens, watching as the bakers battle it out. Of course, grandmother Nancy Birtwhistle won the Bake Off crown, being described by judge Paul Hollywood as ‘close to perfection’.
Although in a state of mourning, there’s no need to cry into your cake mix. In the Middle are here with highs and soggy bottomed lows of The Great British Bake Off, 2014.
The Highs
#1. The wonder that is Martha
How can a girl of just seventeen years, who is still studying for her A Levels and facing all the traumas of teenage life, be just so darn good at baking too? Where does she find the time? She probably puts a lot of us to shame.
#2. Stormin’ Norman
It’s hard not to love Norman. He may have been ‘boring’ in Paul Hollywood’s eyes, but he was the lovable granddad figure to us viewers. We’d have him round for a cup of tea and a farthing biscuit any day.
#3. Mel and Sue
These women sure know how to throw an innuendo around. No bake was spared from Sue and Mel’s puns; we had ‘dough balls’, ‘hot baps’ and I think we all remember Sue asking all the contestants to ‘Pop Mary’s cherry… in the oven!’.
#4. Mary and Paul
We may not have agreed with all of their decisions, and they may have been a little harsh at times, but there’s no denying that they are experts in their field. And who knows, Mary’s bomber jacket may forever be a style staple!
The Lows
#1. ‘Bingate’
A national outcry. Featuring on every news program, it’s fair to say this was quite the controversy. Never before has a baked Alaska had its own Twitter trending hashtag, or caused complete and utter outrage among the baking community. In this tragic bincident, Diane took Iain’s lovingly prepared baked Alaska out of the freezer for just one minute. Horror. The ice-cream melted. The pudding went in the bin. And Iain? Well, he had to go home.
#2. Diana’s exit
Why did Diana really leave the show? Her ill-timed bad health happened to coincide with the aforementioned bincident, so we’ll probably always be a bit suspicious.
#3. Mary’s outrage at ready-made fondant
Who knew ready-made fondant icing was such a crime? You’d have thought Enwezor had tried to poison Miss Berry by offering her such a thing as part of Biscuit Week. Mary didn’t disguise her disgust, marking the end of Enwezor’s baking dream.
We had drama, tears, laughs and a nation that now has an addiction to baking. Mary, Paul, Mel, Sue and all the other contestants, we salute you for filling us with such delight. Now somebody pass me that slice of cake and a pack of tissues…..
Emily Willson
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