The Great British Bake Off 2019: semi-final recap - A near shock but can anyone stop pocket rocket Steph now?
Semi-final time meant the tent was eerily empty, tensions were high and fingers were trembly. But which three of the four bakers would progress to next week's showpiece final? Here's everything that happened in the Patisserie-themed penultimate episode…
Rosie sent home despite technical recovery
Farewell then, Rosie Brandreth-Poynter, star of All Creatures Great & Small in a parallel universe. The endearingly batty Somerset veterinary surgeon had steadily become one of our favourite bakers, so we were slightly heartbroken to see her fall at the last hurdle.
Her exit seemed especially cruel after Rosie’s astonishing Technical turnaround. Her gâteau St-Honoré was beset by problems, meaning she was forced to start again and remake three of the five elements: choux pastry, puff pastry and crème pâtissière.
Poor Rosie grew tearful with stress, muttering “I might just go home now”, but she kept going and finished just on time - then nearly dropped the final result on her way up to the gingham altar. Miraculously, the judges duly declared her offering the winner - despite Rosie placing her choux buns upside down in haste.
However, Rosie’s two rounds either side were disappointing. The crème pât in her domed tartlets was far too soft and her “Time with Family” Showstopper pastries were flavourless, floury and dry. Rosie started the contest strongly but had been hanging on by her floury fingernails in recent weeks, so it’s probably fair that she bowed out.
She built up an hilarious relationship with co-presenter Noel Fielding, who loved nothing more than interrupting Rosie mid-bake to quiz her about her day job. This week’s choice questions were about the most pungent smells she’d encountered (cysts and abscesses, for the record) and the various farmyard animals she’d castrated (many pigs and one giant bull). “This is much more interesting than the show,” said Noel. “We should do a spin-off.” I, for one, would watch.
The animal-mad vet’s highlights included her jungle birthday cake, chicken-shaped 3D biscuit sculpture and safari loaves. Since the departures of Henry Bird and Michael Chakraverty over the past fortnight, Rosie was also single-handedly maintaining the marquee’s eccentricity levels. The final will be a slightly duller place without her.
Is Alice timing her run just right?
Essex geography teacher Alice Fevronia hasn’t won Star Baker since way back in week two but she returned to form at just the right time.
Her mirror-glazed Mocha Orange & Hazelnut Domed Tarts had great shine, crisp buttery pastry and delicious flavour, putting her top after a patchy Signature round.
She finished last in the technical but bounced back with her bright and lovely-looking Save Our Oceans Showstopper, sealing her Star Baker status. Innuendo-alert viewers might have chuckled at her “chocolate starfish”, though.
Despite a chaotic workbench which, according to Noel Fielding “looks like a crime scene”, Alice goes into next week’s final as the in-form baker. Could she turn that momentum into a win?
Tribute ties demonstrated contestant camaraderie
Its kindness and warmth are huge factors in why the nation fell in love with Bake Off. They were in evidence again here.
The four semi-finalists, plus co-presenter Sandi Toksvig, all began this episode wearing ties in touching tribute to last week’s eliminated baker, dapper student Henry Bird. They soon took them off, since it was another sweltering weekend in the tent, but the sentiment was lovely - and recalled Henry himself sporting a silver spiderweb brooch after Goth baker Helena Garcia left.
We also saw the supportive bond between bakers when David encouraged Rosie during her technical wobble, then again during Alice and Steph’s exchange of thumbs-ups and heart-hands gestures during the Showstopper judging. Sweet reminders of how this contest brings people together.
Last man standing David back on bridesmaid duties
Eternal bridesmaid David Atherton finally won a technical challenge last week but now it was back to business as usual. His gâteau St-Honoré came second, meaning David has now finished runner-up an incredible six times in nine weeks.
The international health advisor pandered to tipple-loving judge Prue Leith by serving flutes of pink champagne alongside his signature Aperitif Domed Tarts (Noel Fielding nabbed the bottle, naturally). David’s terrarium Showstopper was more spongecake than high-end patisserie, lacking the requisite delicacy and finesse, but proved just enough to see the last remaining male safely through to the final.
Having never won the Star Baker accolade, David becomes the first contestant since series two’s cult heroine Mary-Anne Boermans (remember her?) to reach the final without ever being crowned performer-of-the-week - but that won’t matter a jot if David nabs the crown next week.
Besides, anyone who can still sing the theme tune to Eighties cartoon The Shoe People is alright by us.
Patchy week but Steph still in pole position
The Chester pocket rocket and four-time Star Baker suffered a rare wobble but Steph Blackwell still looks the strong favourite for that glass cake-stand trophy next week.
Her Signature Raspberry, Lemon & White Chocolate Domed Tarts were on the soft side (and “looked like boobs”, as Steph pointed out) and she came third in the technical with untidy gâteau St-Honoré.
It looked for a moment like we could be in danger of a shock elimination but with typical class, Steph recovered to deliver a stylish Night at the Opera Showstopper which had Prue Leith purring: “You’re a very good baker, Stephanie, you really are.”
“It’s very neat, very tidy, very Steph,” agreed Paul Hollywood, for whom “very Steph” has become a recurring compliment. Will it be a winning description?
Prue won penultimate style war
A mint green shirt for Paul Hollywood was still quite a departure for the blue-fixated judge. Sandi Toksvig was resplendent in a leaf-patterned shirt, while Noel Fielding went goth in a nocturnal fantasy print shirt and dark green Camden Market jeans.
However, this week’s sartorial champion was Prue Leith, whose monochrome-striped jacket, green T-shirt and contrasting orange statement necklace was a typically bold ensemble. On-point, dear Prudence.
Trio progress to the grand final
Thirteen bakers have been whittled down to just three: bookie’s favourite Steph, token male David and dark horse Alice.
In next Tuesday’s grand final, the bakers will whip up chocolate cakes, soufflés and sweet-toothed illusions. But who will be crowned the contest’s 10th champion? Meet you back here for one last doughy debrief. Let’s just pray that Prue doesn’t accidentally tweet the result first.
