'Great British Bake Off' Review - Semi-Final Finds Only A Pastry Layer Between Final Four | HuffPost

REVIEW: GBBO Semi-Final And Some Serious Pastry Puffing

By

Entertainment Editor, HuffPost UK

|

This week was the 'Great British Bake Off' semi-final and there was a battle from the off - not necessarily who was going to be christened star baker, but who was correctly pronouncing 'baklava'. It was an even field.

Then there was a debacle as Paul and Mary debated whether Louis's impressive floral offering was, in fact, baklava - even though the poor man had found it in a book!

The technical challenge, 20 different layers of grilled sponge in alternating colours for a German Schichttorte (snigger), was surely the most demanding yet of this year's challenges, and a reminder why we the rest of us buy our pastries from Mr Kipling.

Time for Chetna and her flavours to exit the tent

ALL the contestants worked so feverishly and with such skill during the showstopper round - Chetna's hands shaking, Louis's voice wobbling - it was hard to face the prospect of one of them leaving the tent, but ultimately Chetna and her strong flavours had to go.

Meanwhile, once again, Richard's instincts, humble smile and little pencil served him well. Can he possibly be beaten in next week's final?

Who do you think will ultimately triumph in next week's final to be crowned Great British Baker? Check out this series' original lineup below...

The Great British Bake Off 2014

The Great British Bake Off(01 of46)

Kate, 41, From SussexKate lives in Brighton with her five-year-old daughter. Last year, she baked 15 Christmas cakes and prides herself on rarely using recipes or weighing ingredients. (credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(02 of46)

Iain, 31, From London Iain, originally from Belfast, is inspired by his passion for travel. (credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(03 of46)

Enwezor, 39 From HampshireEnwezor taught himself to bake in the last 3 years. Born in North London, he now lives in Portsmouth with his wife and four children. (credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(04 of46)

Martha, 17, From BerkshireMartha is the Bake Off's youngest ever contestant.She's currently studying for A-Levels and hopes to become a Food Scientist. (credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(05 of46)

Norman, 66, From ScotlandNorman joined the Merchant Navy at the age of 19, bit his father and brother were bakers. He's hoping to bring back traditional Scottish recipes. (credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(06 of46)

Richard, 38 From London Richard made his own wedding cake - in the shape of the Millenium Falcon from 'Star Wars'. (credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(07 of46)

Luis, 42, From Cheshire Luis describes himself as an "inventive baker" and uses honey from his own bees in his creations. (credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(08 of46)

Nancy, 60, From North Lancashire She grow vegetables, rears guinea fowl and "grows her own turkeys for Christmas" in her garden. (credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(09 of46)

Jordan, 32, From Nottingham IT manager Jordan calls himself a "nerdy baker".He has been baking for the last three years. (credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(10 of46)

Chetna, 35, From Kent Chetna was born in India and moved to the UK with her husband in 2003.She combines her mother's traditional recipes and flavours with British baking styles. (credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(11 of46)

Diana, 69, From ShropshireDiana joined the WI at the age of 12 and became a WI judge when she was 20 years old. Watch Out, Mary! (credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(12 of46)

Claire, 31, From Cheshire Claire has been baking she was 11 and her mother and grandmother are both wedding cake decorators. (credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(13 of46)

(credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(14 of46)

(credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(15 of46)

(credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(16 of46)

(credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(17 of46)

(credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(18 of46)

(credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(19 of46)

(credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(20 of46)

(credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(21 of46)

(credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(22 of46)

(credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(23 of46)

(credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(24 of46)

(credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(25 of46)

(credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(26 of46)

(credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(27 of46)

(credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(28 of46)

(credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(29 of46)

(credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(30 of46)

(credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(31 of46)

(credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(32 of46)

(credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(33 of46)

(credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(34 of46)

(credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(35 of46)

(credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(36 of46)

(credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(37 of46)

(credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(38 of46)

(credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(39 of46)

(credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(40 of46)

(credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(41 of46)

(credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(42 of46)

(credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(43 of46)

(credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(44 of46)

(credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(45 of46)

(credit:BBC/Love)

The Great British Bake Off(46 of46)

(credit:BBC/Love)

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK | FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

Suggest a correction

|

What's Hot

Sophy Ridge Calls Out Leader Of Scottish Tories For Party's Hypocritical Criticism Of SNP

I Just Realised What ‘Hobnob’ Actually Stands For, And It’s Pretty Clever

Obama Hits Trump With A Harsh Truth About His Home Town

New Brexit Border Checks Will Impact Food Prices. Here's What That Means For You