So, it’s all over for another year. The Great British Bake Off has captivated the nation over the last ten weeks with the final last Tuesday bringing in a record breaking 8.8 million viewers to BBC2. But did the right person win? (If you haven’t heard already, it was Frances). Were Ruby and Kimberly robbed? HCX takes a closer look at the GBBO final.
Ruby Tandoh
Ruby proved to be this year’s most controversial contestant. Just like marmite, you either loved her or you hated her. She was criticised for flirting her way through every round; for relying on tears to win her pity passes and for a false modesty whenever she protested her bakes were simply terrible, only for them to turn out just right on the plate. While Ruby presented a beautifully layered Picnic Basket Pie for her signature bake and came second in the technical challenge, her showstopper let her down. The Raspberry, Lemon and Passion Fruit Wedding Cake sounded delicious, but on presentation wasn’t quite up to scratch. Ruby’s youth and lack of experience as a baker probably saw her lose the Bake Off title.
Kimberly Wilson
Although she didn’t quite spark the same level of debate as Ruby, Kimberly also proved to be a somewhat divisive contestant. Her extensive knowledge of all things baking saw that she was never fazed by a tricky technical challenge and her flavour combinations were always spot on. But some found her confidence rather too much like arrogance. Despite coming top in the technical challenge (yet again!), it was her soggy Chicken and Pig pie and her underwhelming Languages of Love Wedding Cake that saw the title just slip through her fingers.
Frances Quinn
Finally we come to Frances. Accused in the beginning weeks of favouring style over substance, we here at HCX were still impressed by some of her intricately detailed cake designs. But as the weeks went on, Frances’ bakes improved in flavour and she became one of the most consistent bakers of the whole competition, her sweet nature sometimes letting her fall under the radar in the face of some of the more dramatic contestants *cough* Ruby *cough*. Despite coming last in the technical challenge, her rainbow themed Trout Picnic pie and her gorgeous Midsummer Dream Wedding Cake saw her take the crown.
In a competition full of ups and downs, emotional highs and lows (who can forget when Deborah stole Howards custard!) Frances maintained her cool and made clear and solid improvement week by week to win the show. Do you think Frances was the right winner, let us know your opinion in the comments down below.
Photo Credits: www.bbc.co.uk