S14.E11: The Great Christmas Bake Off

[Athena]

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TBA

UK Channel 4 Air Date: December 24, 2023.

[RealityCheck]

The GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF 2023 CHRISTMAS SPECIAL will air Christmas Eve at 8.15pm on Channel 4 UK.

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Unlike previous Christmas specials there are no celebrity guests taking part this year.  Instead, confirmed contestants for the one-off Christmas special include: George Aristidou (season 12), Sophie Faldo (season 8), Dan Beasley-Harling (season 9), Amelia Le Bruin (season 10), Linda Rayfield (season 11), and Carole Edwards (season 13).

[Lois Sandborne]

I didn't (and still don't) remember Amelia at all, and that troubled me through the whole episode. She was fun to watch though.

It was also fun to see Dan back in the tent after hearing his commentary on the Bake Down podcast. He did fine, but I wonder if he'll tone the snark down a bit now after jogging his memory on how tough the competition is.

At the time she won, I remember thinking Sophie didn't deserve it. But she certainly showed herself off well here, so what do I know.

[ombre]

Ah. Lovely. 

 

I remembered everyone and think they did a great job with who was invited for this episode. 

 

Loved the idea of having to revisit a failed bake. It meant that everyone got to really, really *feel* the victory, not just the eventual winner. 

 

I'll admit, Sophie is one of those bakers who just stole my heart in her season. No muss no fuss down to business gal. I understand that she's got a business baking fancy cakes, so I suppose that the lipstick and careful hair are part of that, but she did look more comfortable in her skin those many years ago. I hope she is doing well.  She doesn't get as much fun camera time as everyone else because she's so focused. Good on her for managing to do that! 

 

Teared up something fierce at Carol of the bells in Ukrainian. 

 

I suspect that for the rest of the day by brain will be trying to figure out how better to phrase the instructions for the snowflake bread. It so easy to understand with a picture! Made that for Xmas breadfast the first year of covid. Haven't made it again, which is silly because it was so fun and so tasty! 

[caitmcg]

After all the discussion about Noel's sweater/jumper in the final, I just want to say that I approve of his Fairytale of New York sweater in the Christmas episode.

Two moments that made me laugh: When, during the technical, on shaping the snowflake bread, Amelia said, "If it looks like a vagina, you're doing it right," and When Alison was playing at being a matchmaker for Sophie and said they have some nice cameramen, and Sophie turned and hit a pose while looking straight at the camera/cameraman.

[kirklandia]

On 12/10/2024 at 9:35 AM, ombre said:

Teared up something fierce at Carol of the bells in Ukrainian. 

Was I the only one who teared up something fierce when Noah appeared in his Fairytale Of New York sweater?

Shane MacGowan died November 30 2023, between when the show was filmed and when it aired in the UK.

 

 

Edited Thursday at 09:15 PM by kirklandia

[dleighg]

The snowflake bread is so pretty. Michael Keralan did a version of this years ago which I actually took the trouble to look up and make. It's actually quite easy (if you've got a picture and good instructions) and VERY impressive visually.

https://thegreatbritishbakeoff.co.uk/recipes/all/michael-keralan-star-bread/

[mjc570]

That was so enjoyable, they are all lovely people and none of them produced embarrassing bakes.  I'm a faithful watcher, but I remembered none of them, including Carol's fright wig which should have been pretty memorable. Poor r George, he was lucky his flavors were good.  I felt sorry for Sophie, who clearly felt the pressure of being an actual past winner, but I thought her idea to incorporate bread in her showstopper was strange.  I am glad she was Star Baker, though, she deserved it.  

I just can't express how much I love Allison, her warmth and humor are amazing.  
Also funny: Not just Amelia's vagina remark, but that Dan said he'd never seen a vagina!

[PaulaO]

I didn’t remember Carol but she may have been in the season I skipped.  I don’t like having past winners compete in “all stars” types of shows.  

[libgirl2]

3 hours ago, PaulaO said:

I didn’t remember Carol but she may have been in the season I skipped.  I don’t like having past winners compete in “all stars” types of shows.  

Yes, I mentioned that. I prefer to have people who maybe didn't do so well but really tried or people who came close. Next season we should have Nelly! 

[dewelar]

22 hours ago, libgirl2 said:

Next season we should have Nelly! 

I hope so too! I wouldn't be surprised to see Andy as well. I have noticed, though, that they never have bakers from the most recent season, so since Netflix is a year behind on the holiday shows, it'll likely be 2026 there.

[libgirl2]

1 hour ago, dewelar said:

I hope so too! I wouldn't be surprised to see Andy as well. I have noticed, though, that they never have bakers from the most recent season, so since Netflix is a year behind on the holiday shows, it'll likely be 2026 there.

Andy would be a delight!