It’s the final tonight of the Great British Bake Off and I’ll be there rooting for Brendan. What do you think, is he modest or smug?
There has been quite a bit of speculation about why ‘Bake Off’ is so successful and I think I know. It’s because baking has endless potential for going wrong, which makes for good telly and reassures the rest of us that even accomplished bakers have disasters. What’s more the crisis doesn’t always reveal itself until the very end after you’ve spent ages beating, whisking, baking and decorating. There are plenty of potential pitfalls in tonight’s programme when they’re asked to make pithiviers, chiffon sponges and fondant fancies.
Oh I can’t wait to see them handle fondant fancies. I’ve already written about my own encounter with these tricky little blighters. I’m still traumatised two years on.
Baking perfection is difficult, that’s why I’m so in awe of my friend Jane Middleton who after a career in cookery book editing set up her own company Cinnamon Toast making exquisite cakes and decorated biscuits. Jane is Yorkshire born but sadly for us, now lives in Bath. You can buy her stuff mail order and you can read all about her new business on this Foodie Bugle blog.