This week were in for some major Paul chest-thumping because we are about to enter his very precious territory.
This is a land full of danger.
No doubt, at some point Paul will ruthlessly press down on someones bake and declare, See?
Credit: Netflix
Its turning back to dough.
Historically, weve seen bakers shine and weve seen bakers break this week.
So who will rise to the occasion and who will leave the tent with something left to prove?
Wake up, hustlers, lets get this bread.
Henry is building a chicken and pesto checkerboard, using charcoal to color every other piece pitch-black.
Michelle is making anoson caws, which translates to cheese night in Welsh.
Whatever its cheesy and it looks delicious, and thats really all we need to know.
(Cheese is the best!
Michael is a fitness instructor back home?
Did we know that already?
Does it strike anyone else as vaguely masochistic to take a spin class in full fluorescent lighting?
Hes making a Keralan star bread flavored with coconut and a kick of chili.
Ultimately, the judges love the effect of the red-striped dough in the twisted star shape.
That combined with the balance of flavors earns Michael the very first Paul handshake of the season.
Thats extremely major, and now Im definitely ready to put week 1 behind us.
Im sorry I called you a hazard to yourself.
Quiet threat Rosie is preparing a chili and Manchego loaf filled with Mediterranean vegetables and a balsamic reduction.
But more importantly, in the clip of her at home… is she giving that cake an IV?
Did I see that correctly?
Rosie, youre the right jot down of crazy, and I love it.
Phil is honoring his Italian ancestry with a smoked pancetta and cheese focaccia tear-and-share tree.
Prue finds the result very tempting, and Paul loves the flavors.
Steph works three part-time jobs.
The judges love the flavors, but Paul notes that its been overbaked, rendering it bone-dry.
Priyas smoky jalepeno tear-and-share is a flower filled with paprika, cheddar, and chilies.
Prue calls it very cheesy, which I think we can all agree is a high compliment.
(Another win for cheese!)
Paul calls it beautifully baked, even if it was a little overproofed.
But, like, girl, what do you mean you hate cheese?
Is that even an opinion a human being is capable of having?
The bigger problem, though, is that the filling is too intense.
Riding high off last weeks big win, Alice is taking her loaf in a sweet direction.
Shes opted for a baklava-inspired ring with candied orange, dried rose petals, and chopped pistachios.
When youve had your fill, it’s possible for you to wear it to rob a bank!
She tells the judges she likes them gooey, and they frankly do not seem even a bit bothered.
Should you make these at home?
This is the kind of baking that could warrant and entire chapter inHow to Win Friends and Influence People.
Technical challenge: Burger baps8 white burger baps and 4 veggie burgers.
and that was that.
I love it, Britain, never change.
Surprising absolutely no one, Phil has never made a veggie burger in his life.
Hes a meat man.
We never doubted it, Phil.
Michelle likes a big bap.
David likes a pert bun.
Amelias miscalculation (and dare I say somewhat flippant attitude) lands her in last place.
Davids pert buns come in second.
Henrys very, very, very good burger bun lands him first place.
Yes, but promise me youll spend the entire barbecue cheerfully correcting everyone when they compliment your homemade buns.
Theyreactuallycalledburger baps, can youbelieveit?!
Henry is making rye loaves and an herby fougasse.
David is making a trio of tribal masks with a deep sourdough flavor.
Immediately after scoring, I have to say that these masks look really, really cool.
Whoever edits this show is clearly having the most fun ever.
While Paul somehowdid not win star baker that week, he did receive a special commendation for his work.
Rosie, no pressure, but your lion has rather large footprints to fill.
Buoyed by his signature challenge handshake, Michael is bringing the heat with a Mediterranean campfire.
Helena is celebrating Halloween yet again with a bread cauldron full of spiders and snakes.
Between this and being a meat man, Im not sure Im rooting for Phil anymore.
Either way, hes making some sort of victory wreath with cheese, spelt, and herbs.
Alices travel scene scores high on looks and bake but comes up just shy on flavor.
David seems relieved, obviously thinking it was going to go worse.
Helenas Halloween scene is found lacking in decorative definition, a too-solid bake, and unimpressive flavors.
Stephs flower bouquet pleases the judges, and Priyas exotic birds get a passing grade.
Paul describes Phils simply adorned medal as beautifully baked.
Michelles garden is a mixed bag, with some loaves nicely crusty and some a little stodgy.
Amelias loaves look underdone to Pauls eye, but Prue doesnt seem convinced.
Ultimately, though, its the complete lack of attempt at flavor that puts the judges off.
Michaels campfire design impresses Paul, who cant help but remark on one blown-out loaf.
Its three straight challenges of straight fire talent that earn Michael this weeks star baker.
I hereby issue a formal apology for ever having doubted you, Michael.
I was wrong, and I am sorry.
This is precisely an example of how Bread Week can break a perfectly good baker.
I mean, who doesnt like cheese?
