BAKE OFF MELTDOWN
Contestants made to sweat as cakes suffer in the heat
IT is hard enough to keep your cool at any time in the cauldron of the Bake Off tent.
But last night’s episode saw the 11 contestants trying to cope with making a chocolate-covered cake in sweltering temperatures.
It was filmed at the start of May, when the heat outside climbed to an unseasonal 28C (82F). Two contestants in particular who failed to cope were Luke Thompson and Terry Hartill. They described conditions as an ‘absolute nightmare’ and ‘awful’.
Terry’s champagne and strawberries Eiffel Tower collar cake failed to set, slumping to one side before collapsing. And although judge Prue Leith was impressed with the ambitious design attempted by the 56year-old, she said it tasted ‘boring’.
Luke’s white chocolate and raspberry showstopper failed to set and was criticised by judge Paul Hollywood, who said his sponge wasn’t good. ‘It looked lovely when I put it into the fridge, but when I took it out it was like the Leaning Tower of Pisa,’ said Luke. The 30-year-old techno DJ’s lemon and poppy-seed traybake was also criticised for being ‘tough as old boots’ and he became the second contestant to leave.
Research scientist Rahul Mandal excelled in the heat and was named star baker. His chocolate orange layer cake with shards of chocolate won the first Hollywood handshake of the series.