Sun, May 28, 2023
In meeting the five home bakers, Joanna, Becki and Andrew learn not only what they will be baking, but learn the personal stories behind their creations. One going gluten-free may either be an obstacle, or a benefit in standing out from the crowd. Two of the bakers make something remarkably similar to each other which may lead to some last minute alterations to their recipe to stand out from the other. And two face some challenges in baking in the warm outside environment as opposed to the comfort of their own home kitchen. Joanna admits that conceptually there is an element from each other five recipes which are among her favorite things to eat, so it may come down to execution for all three judges.
Sun, May 28, 2023
Joanna, Zoë and Casey get a general overview of what will be prepared in the kitchen by watching the bakers start their recipes before they make their first rounds to get a more detailed idea of the recipes themselves. Two of the bakers consider themselves novices in only recently have started baking, each for a different reason, but their newfound passion may be to their benefit. All speak of some connection to family which has either inspired them and/or inspired their recipe, one with a newborn at home which may provide extra incentive to win. One baker hopes to dazzle both in attire and a matching style of his final baked product.
Sun, Jun 4, 2023
Being the third round of the competition, the bakers from this point forward may have the disadvantage of showing techniques, flavors or overall recipes similar to something already done, Joanna who makes such a reference. One baker is attempting dulce de leche, already done in a previous round, which already has the issue of not knowing how it will turn out until far into the bake when it would be too late to do anything about it if it doesn't turn out properly. Another is attempting a gluten-free recipe, again done by a previous baker. While many bakers have brought family members or photos of family members, a few this time bring baking mementos which may provide them with that extra inspiration for the day. And one has no hesitation in presenting his recipe despite some negative comments from loved ones in at-home tests. Near the end of the baking day, the judges admit they are more nervous for the bakers than the first two rounds.
Sun, Jun 11, 2023
The five bakers in this round talk about adapting their recipes to a two hour start to finish bake, adapting for an individual serving, and the inspiration for the recipe. As the competition day progresses, the judges express their hopes and fears for the bakers specifically in terms of technique and execution, and what may be a good sign for those involved nab some leftovers before the official tasting.
Sun, Jun 18, 2023
The judges are feeling the pressure arguably as much as the bakers in the anticipation of completing the line-up for the finals. They are also somewhat confused in watching the bakers in the early stages in having no idea just from those visual cues about what the end products will be, they only learning what they will be by making their initial rounds and talking to the bakers. The bakers talk about some of their techniques and why they are doing things the way they are for the competition. And for the first time in the five rounds, there is a vegan baker, who sees being such as a benefit in better understanding the science of baking in needing to adapt to her family's requirements.
Sun, Jun 25, 2023
Joanna gives the five finalists a tour of the bakery when she informs them, something to which she has alluded to all competition long, that there will be one additional official judging criterion, namely compatibility of the item to the existing bakery, its philosophy being traditional with a twist, everything fresh meaning no refrigeration and needing to be shelf stable, and portability. She also tells them that they can make what they made in the preliminary round, and while that item did earn them a spot in the finals, the judges may have a bias against it solely in wanting to see the breadth of who each is as a baker. It will the winning item in the finale that will be featured in the bakery, and not what was made in the preliminary round. That compatibility criterion may play a large role in whose baked good will be featured in the bakery's summer menu, and who will walk away with the $100,000 grand prize.