Great British Bake Off 2023

expectationlost

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121342228#Comment_121342228

we don't get a clear indication of how long they spent making the stuff before putting it in the oven...

Loyal Lady

All the semifinalists are very likeable

siblers

Ever since Tasha came back from illness, it felt like she hasn't quite been herself. She never really got to the same level before she was ill. Must have been very tight between her and Matty

I never really have a favourite but delighted Matty got to the final. Seems like a very decent fella

siblers

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121397682#Comment_121397682

A lot of people don't like Dan. He's the most competitive but he's not being obnoxious about it

freshpopcorn

Season has gone by fairly fast.

HeidiHeidi

It really has! I'm a divil for not concentrating properly on these things, but I got a bit of a shock when there was only 4 of them at the start of last night's show.

I was very sorry to see Tasha go, but she was the right one on the night. Agree that Matty seems like a lovely fella, and the epitome of what these shows should be about - a novice going far.

But Josh is galloping up fast on the rail - that showstopper of his last night was just exquisite! He's been so quiet and under the radar, it's hard to know if he's a complete jockey or just very good while not being at all showy about it.

(With all those showstoppers, did anyone else think the pastry layers looked most unappetising? I'm sure they were gorgeous, but they didn't translate visually to my TV screen anyway....)

I can't see Matty winning tbh - I think it'll come down to whoever of Dan and Josh next week's tasks suit better (although didn't someone say Dan's speciality was patisserie? That didn't stop Josh taking Star Baker from under his nose!)

Navy blue

I don’t think Dan will win, he hasn’t been consistent and is very hit and miss. He has been lucky not to be sent home a couple of times. I admire him for trying be innovative with his flavours but as often as not, they just don’t gel together. I think Josh has been consistent while staying under the radar, so I think bar a catastrophe next week, he will win.

Last night was an improvement on previous weeks, but still don’t think the standard is anywhere near as high as previous years.

miamee

I agree the standard is not as high as previous years, a lot of showstoppers in the past were very much that but this year (and possibly last year) they weren't really as impressive. Maybe we're getting used to them :)

I would put my money on Josh to win at this stage, I don't think he's ever had a complete disaster he seems to be fairly consistent and his showstopper this week was beautiful.

Sleepy

They're also on series 14 so it could simply be the case that the talent pool is reducing... One would think that the 166* contestants who've already appeared quite likely represent the best of Britain's amateur bakers who can also pass the screen tests etc.

(*the first season only had 10 bakers whilst the rest have had 12)

sammyjo90

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121405324#Comment_121405324

Ah you got there before me, i was thinking the exact same

expectationlost

there as atleast 2 times where Josh should have won the episode.

DvB

The weird thing is, with Josh looking the most likely winner, for me he hasn't really raised the bar or made me go 'wow' to any of his bakes. Maybe its just a weak year or suchlike as discussed above, but I still cant help thinking no one this year would have kept up with Jurgen or Guiseppe from 2021.

I've enjoyed the season & would like to see Matty win, but if he did he'd be the weakest winner in a long time IMO.

The season has flown by though, feels like it only started a couple of weeks ago.

Xander10

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121428136#Comment_121428136

Probably the nicest bunch

But maybe the weakest bunch of bakers

freshpopcorn

I was trying to avoid the winner because I'm watching on plus one. I don't think scrolling will make a difference.

Thargor

Wow Mattys fiancé was incredible looking.

Totally meh season for me though, might not bother again.

Mam1996

Absolutely thrilled for Matty, he definitely improved hugely from the start. Josh was certainly a fantastic baker but didn't show the same level of consistent improvement and I guess that's what swung it for Matty. Poor Dan had a bit of a nightmare final.

Xander10

delighted for Matty

Busi_Girl08

What I loved about this season is it really felt they brought it back to basics and to the bake.

No more ridiculously elaborate bakes or architecture/Masterchef challenges.

Matty was a really worthy winner. As Paul said he really worked to improve each week which is what baking is all about and the wobbly cake aside he got the brief for the Showstopper bang on.

lmahoney79

Matter deserved the win.

Please no more Noel "I think I'm hilarious " Fielding

expectationlost

look at this table of the rankings from each ep. matt vs josh, clearly josh was better over the whole series https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_British_Bake_Off_(series_14)#Results_summary

Mr E

When you look at the data, Josh should have won I think.

I was happy for Matty though (and I wanted him to win). Seems like a lovely guy.

I enjoyed the series overall though. It's still very wholesome TV. Wouldn't mind a new host or two next year though. Alison did OK (and got better as the season went on), but I'm a bit tired of Noel's schtick.

Sleepy

Josh let himself down by playing it way too safe for the final, he's clearly the better baker but didn't show up on the day.

Navy blue

A forgettable finale to a forgettable series. I can’t remember the last time there were so many basic errors and cock-ups in a final. I liked Dan, but soggy eclairs? I mean c’mom, they’re hardly rocket science. And the showstoppers were like something from very early weeks rather the final. They were a lovely bunch though and think that’s the main thing that made it enjoyable this year. I really liked Alison, but agree that Noel is getting seriously annoying. He’s constantly in the contestants faces when they’re stressed. I dont know how he’s avoided a punch to be honest!

ednwireland

definitely more home cooks than the semi professional ones that were around a few years ago.

maybe that's what they are aiming for ?

seems like the taste and quality of the cake won it for matt.

.red.

We paused just before the reveal and both called Matty as the winner.

I think Josh was by far the most consistent all season,

Dan was the best baker but had some very poor weeks where his fancy notions just didn't work.

Matty was always very good and the best baker over the final weekend.

We discussed it in work last week and someone said you can be second or third best every week up to the final and still win it.

DvB

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121432464#Comment_121432464

We said something similar previously, you only need to be star baker once to win it.

The show generally has stuck to the 'anyone can win star baker' & 'anyone can go home' on any given week & this final summed that up really, Josh was the more accomplished baker across weeks 1-9 but didn't do himself justice on the last one, Matty did & he won, that's bake off!!

Assume there'll be a christmas & new years special, but haven't seen anything advertised or mentioned recently.

miamee

I was sure Josh was going to do it right up until I saw his showstopper up close when Prue and Paul were judging it. It was unfortunately a bit amateur and untidy looking up close and then the flavours and bakes didn't quite hit the mark either. Congrats to Matty and to all 3 finalists, it was a fairly close call between all finalists as I think it is most years. Certainly not a big wow showstopper final though which was a shame.

Busi_Girl08

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121433481#Comment_121433481

Honestly I feel Matty's was the best of a bad lot in thr showstopper. I thought Josh's was a bit Fanny Cradock looking visually to be honest!

HeidiHeidi

Christmas special on tonight 8pm

HeidiHeidi

I'm assuming this was filmed in summer - very prescient of Noel to have his Fairytale of New York geansai on!