Who left Bake Off last night? Here's what happened during Free From Week - including who was named Star Baker
Here’s which baker exited the Bake Off tent just before the quarter-final, as well as who earned Star Baker during Free From Week.
The Great British Bake Off tent is looking emptier as the weeks go on, with one more baker gone following Free From Week.
During episode seven last night (Tuesday, November 3), the remaining amateurs were tasked by judges Paul Hollywood and Nigella Lawson to make a series of treats which were either gluten-free, dairy-free or vegan.
Also somewhat of a party-themed week, with young children who have intolerances kept in mind, the signature challenge called on the bakers to create gluten-free children’s party pastries, which could be either sweet or savoury.
There was another fresh take on the technical challenge issued by Lawson, with each baker reaching their hand into a bag (gingham, of course) to select which animal their vegan cake would be modelled after.
Finally, it was a showstopper for the ages. The contestants could choose which variety of free-from their cake would be, but it was to be a children’s birthday cake with one interactive or moving element.
There were some impressive bakes produced and even a Hollywood Handshake awarded - but there were also some minor disasters.
Here’s who was named Star Baker and who was sent home just before the Great British Bake Off quarter-final.
Who won Star Baker? Episode 7 winner
After weeks of close calls, Gabe finally won Star Baker during Free From Week in the tent.
His first time earning the honour, the judges were impressed by their signature gluten-free ladybird pastries, which featured a hamburger filling - though they did comment that the pastry could be thicker.
Onto the technical challenge, he came in second for his dinosaur-themed vegan cake behind last week’s Star Baker, Tom. Lawson and Hollywood praised Gabe’s cake for its neat icing, tall height and overall look - but were especially wowed by how rich they were able to make the cake despite it being vegan.
Finally, the showstopper is where Gabe really stood out. The baker made a “bug hunt” gluten-free chocolate fudge cake, which featured (very realistic) hidden worms and more for those eating to dig out of the top - which looked like soil - with mini shovels.
Hollywood commented that it was “spot on”, and even added that it was a completely saleable product that could make Gabe a lot of money, should he choose to sell it.
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Who left Bake Off last night?
Sadly it was Gary who left the Bake Off tent following episode seven.
The baker struggled throughout all three Free From Week challenges, starting with the signature. Gary took inspiration from certain supermarket chocolate cakes with a pastry and chocolate ganache caterpillar. Unfortunately, his gluten-free pastry didn’t have enough folds for the judges despite having good flavour.
In the technical, Gary had to make the axolotl cake, however his buttercream wasn’t quite right and his cake uneven, so while elements of it were fine, his time management led him to placing fifth out of six.
Only coming ahead of Connie, both bakers were in trouble heading into the showstopper. Unfortunately, Gary wasn’t able to recover with his gluten-free witches cauldron, which looked good but featured gritty buttercream.
The style over substance approach is what ended up sending the retired garment-maker home in the end, despite Connie also running into a few issues.
Who is still left in Bake Off?
Including Gabe, there are now just five bakers remaining in the competition ahead of episode eight - Connie, Mo, Moyin, and Tom.
Connie struggled during episode seven, while Tom just missed out on Star Baker - again - due to one element of his showstopper letting him down.
Mo had a good week, earning a coveted Hollywood Handshake for his take on Pop Tarts in the signature, and praise for his showstopper; a gluten-free, functional hoover which Lawson described as “delicate”.
Moyin also did well throughout Free From Week, coming third in the technical and impressing the judges with his peanut butter and jelly dinosaur-themed showstopper which Hollywood said was “really good”.
When is the Bake Off quarter-final?
The next episode of Bake Off will air on Channel 4 at 8pm on Tuesday, November 10.
It is the quarter-final, with the remaining five bakers to face a challenging caramel theme. Expect treacle tarts, millionaire shortbread and nougatine sculpture showstopper.
All episodes of The Great British Bake Off series 17 are available to stream on the Channel 4 app.
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