‘The Great British Baking Show’ Quarterfinals Are “Free-From”
Pity Paul, forced to eat things that are free.
The Great British Baking Show quarterfinals have always been a bit of a muddle in terms of theme and contestant skill. Unlike the opening rounds and the semi-final themes, which have rarely varied, the quarterfinals have ranged from generalized “Desserts” to funkier ideas like “Advanced Dough” and “Forgotten Bakes.” (It was even Biscuit Week once, though that was in the very early years.) The only thing that stays consistent: no matter the theme, the show always makes the challenges hard.
Likewise, it’s never guaranteed that the five best bakers will make the quarters, though it’s always a sign the season has gone well when they do. In the final three years the show was on the BBC (Seasons 5-7), it landed its five best bakers in the quarters all three years, as did Season 9, which, up until now, was the best Channel 4 season. This season’s group is so strong — Jürgen and Giuseppe in the lead, Chigs and Crystelle nipping at their heels, and adorable Lizzie doing her thing — it’s a testament to how well Baking Show has course-corrected in this second Bake Off Bubble year.
As for the theme, despite the cutesy “Free-From” name, Noel’s ignorance and Paul’s Hulk-rage at the entire concept, this is not the first time the series has done a dietary theme; “Alternative Ingredients” was a theme twice during the BBC years, and the show did a straight Vegan Week in Season 9 (though that was not the quarterfinal, it fell just one week prior).
But the new name means Noel and Matt admitted they were free from comedy, which may be the funniest they’ve been... period.
