Expect fireworks
BAKE OFF: THE PROFESSIONALS Channel 4, 8pm
AS this professional patisserie contest continues, this week is chocolate week and there’s a firework-themed showstopper for the contestants to create. There has never been cake-based tension like it.
There are high-fives and hugs all round between the teams, who all come from top hotels and restaurants, but the enthusiasm probably won’t help them.
World-class experts Benoit Blin and Cherish Finden take no prisoners, and it leaves Tom Allen and Liam Charles with the tough gig of keeping things light.
“It’s chocolate week but that doesn’t mean I am going to be sweet,” simmers Cherish, displaying her usual levels of judging generosity.
The first challenge is to make a chocolate and matcha sharing dessert.
A quick Google of matcha reveals it to be a type of green tea, commonly used as an ingredient in Asia.
One chef is from Hong Kong and is on it. She knows exactly what to do.
Elsewhere, a northern English bloke seems slightly more confused. “It’s quite an acquired taste,” he notes. “I mean if you like tea, it’s great.” He’s definitely more of a PG Tips man.
The teams work hard to whip up a pudding that doesn’t look like green sludge and passes the judges’ taste test.
Then it’s on to the showstopper, which must be made completely out of chocolate, have at least one moving part, be themed around fireworks and include chocolate and hazelnut paste.
It does actually look like rocket science.
There are plenty of sparkles and explosions, but which team will fly high and which will fizzle and burn out?