Big British Bake Off fans criticized the judges’ decision to send Cristy home in the quarter-finals on Tuesday night.
But thankfully it wasn’t all gloom as Matty received Star Baker and his first Hollywood handshake for his impressive baked goods, leaving viewers elated.
During the party week, the bakers took on a classic holiday treat, a “multi-stage” technical test and a stunning spread to impress the judges.
In the Signature Challenge, participants made 12 sausage rolls with a filling of their choice, while in the Technical Challenge they had to create a classic chocolate caterpillar cake.
Next, the baker had to convince the showstopper with an “anything but beige buffet” with a mix of savory and sweet snacks.
Oh no! Big British Bake Off fans criticized the judges’ decision to send Cristy home in the quarter-finals on Tuesday night
Well done! But thankfully it wasn’t all gloom as Matty received Star Baker and his first Hollywood handshake for his impressive baked goods, leaving viewers elated
During the episode, the contestants were initially tasked with making sausage rolls, with Matty receiving his first handshake from Paul.
Cristy struggled to finish her pastry in time and was left with soggy pastries, while Dan’s risky Middle Eastern-inspired flavors didn’t pay off.
Next up was the technique, where the baker created an iconic chocolate caterpillar cake covered in ganache and decorated with meringue details.
During the task, both Dan and Cristy suffered another disaster as Dan cut his cake incorrectly and Cristy was forced to bake a new one.
Matty tried to hide his “ugly caterpillar” under layers of chocolate ganache, while Tasha joked that its appearance was “terrifying”.
Tasha took first place, while Dan’s disastrous result put him in last place, meaning it was a tie between Tasha and Matty for the star baker as they approached the final challenge.
For their showstopper, they had to put together an “everything but beige buffet” in a whopping four and a half hours, preparing both savory and sweet snacks.
Paul said Cristy’s buffet “didn’t look great” but highlighted the taste, while Matty’s sports-inspired menu impressed.
The judges were “disappointed” with Tasha’s color palette, saying it was a little “too beige” as Dan also suffered from his colors.
Josh presented some “perfect looking” snowmen with desserts in the form of a Christmas pudding and pastry wreaths, which impressed both Prue and Paul.
The judges were torn about whether to send Dan and Cristy home from the tent and ultimately decided to say goodbye to Cristy.
She said: “It was such a crazy, fast-paced experience.” Now I’ll sit back and reflect on how far I’ve come. I’m so proud of myself for making it this far.”
Speaking at the reception, star baker Matty said: “I hope this gives me the confidence I need to get to the semi-finals and hopefully beyond.”
The Great British Bake Off returns on Tuesday at 8pm on Channel 4.
GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF 2023: WHO ARE THE PARTICIPANTS?
Tasha
Age: 27
Occupation: Investment representative
From: Bristol
Bake Off presenters have learned sign language as the show welcomes its first deaf contestant.
Tasha, 27, is an entry representative from Bristol and will be taking part in the show with her BSL interpreter Daryl.
She said: “When I got the Zoom call to tell me I was one of the twelve, I cried.” Daryl also cried. We were a mess.’
Amos
Age: 43
Occupation: Deli and food manager
From: North London
Amos describes his baked goods as a labor of love – his style is colorful and chic with great attention to detail and he loves exploring different flavor profiles.
He compares his baking style to the converted church he now lives in, calling both his style and his home “traditional with a modern twist.”
rowan
Age: 21
Occupation: University student
From: West Yorkshire
“Go big or go home” is student Rowan’s motto and one he has always applied to his baked goods.
As a student of English literature, when he’s not writing great pieces, Rowan is also an enthusiastic host who brings his creative eye to the kitchen.
Abbi
Age: 27
Occupation: Vegetable grower and delivery driver
From: Cumbria
As a lover of nature, she looks for seasonal ingredients and uses her home-grown vegetables wisely.
Abbi’s baked goods aim to combine comfort and familiarity with a strong nod to nature and the feeling of creating something magical – baked goods with a touch of fairytale.
Cristy
Age: 33
Occupation: PA
From: East London
For Cristy, life with four children means there is always a birthday to bake and an exciting party to plan.
She describes her baking style as enchanting and pretty – baked goods that evoke a feeling of childhood.
Dan
Age: 42
Occupation: Resource planner for civil engineering
From: Cheshire
Perfectionist Dan loves baking challenges and often finds the most difficult baking process in one of his 300 cookbooks.
When he’s not baking, he enjoys playing soccer with his two young sons or foraging for edible treats in the countryside.
Dana
Age: 25
Occupation: database administrator
From: Essex
She loves a semi-naked cake with clean lines, pretty piping and minimalist decoration; And while she likes to go easy on her flavors, Dana often adds a twist or two by adding familiar spices tied to her Indian heritage.
Josh
Age: 27
Occupation: Postdoctoral researcher, research assistant
From: Leicestershire
A chemist by trade, postdoctoral researcher Josh brings his scientist’s precision and experimental spirit to the kitchen, taking careful notes on every part of the baking process.
Keith
Age: 60
Profession: auditor
From: Hampshire
Keith has a love of apple pie and fairy cakes – he learned to bake from his mother.
The treats form the baking backdrop for Keith’s childhood, along with his mother’s love of traditional dishes from her native Malta.
Matty
Age: 28
Occupation: Sports and science teacher
From: Cambridgeshire
He describes his style as rustic but neat and his taste preferences as quite traditional – he particularly loves chocolate, citrus fruits and nuts.
Once his days in the tent are over, his next challenge will be baking his own wedding cake.
Nicky
Age: 52
Occupation: Retired cabin crew and volunteer
From: West Midlands
Her favorite baked goods are pastries, but she also loves making fun birthday cakes for her niece and grandchildren.
When she’s not baking, Nicky volunteers at an animal therapy charity with her dog Bracken and loves skiing, which she has done since she was three years old.
Saku
Age: 50
Occupation: Intelligence analyst
From: Herefordshire
Saku didn’t have an oven in her family home in Sri Lanka until she was 18, so it wasn’t until she moved to the UK with her husband in 2003 that she turned to baking.
As an autodidact, she enjoys using home-grown ingredients from her vegetable patch.