Season Two Episode Talk

[Madding crowd]

I have never seen a cake with a pile of candy inside it like that. Did Bobby tell the contestants to do that? I guess that must of been part of the instructions because they all did the same thing. When they said stuffed cake, I just assumed the candy would be chopped up and made part of the filling. I just can't figure out what the point would be of just using the candy to spill out of the cut cake.

 

I felt bad that Sue ended up screwing up. She has been doing well in the contest up to this point. I enjoy going to Galena, Il where she is from although I have never gone to her B&B.  I understand they have to go challenge to challenge, but this challenge was just poorly thought out. I also thought Lorraine was a bit harsh in the first challenge at calling out the leaf shaped whoopee pie. It still looked more like a whoopee pie than most of the other ones. The winner of that round had some really drab cookies; I get that they tasted good but the judges need to be consistent. How much does the decoration count and how much does the taste count? They seem to be oddly offended in some cases and not others.

Edited November 16, 2015 by Madding crowd

[tom87]

My first thought was the canides were to be baked into the cake but the pinata represented how the cake should be presented.

[zxy556575]

I'm was right there with the rest of you, like, "Wha?" When the first person to present to the judges cut into theirs I assumed it was a gigantic failure because the candy wasn't melted or incorporated into the cake.

 

I found examples of what the Internet is calling pinata cakes with candy inside, so I guess now I know. Still quite unappealing, though.

 

I wish the judges could simply disagree without making it into a personality clash, or England vs the US. Taste is subjective, folks. Move along.

Edited November 16, 2015 by lordonia

[MMLEsq]

The only cake that looked good w/ the candy spilling out was the chocolate covered almonds covered in powdered sugar.  The other candy looked ridiculous...especially the strawberry candy b/c all I could think of was how sanitary would the wrappers be in the cake.

 

Steve went for a peanut butter and jelly cake for a christmas theme and then put fall colored reese's pieces inside.  Idiot.  He should have went w/a fall themed cake to match the color of his candy somewhat.  Of course he totally crapped out in the end by just throwing what he could at the cake basically, he threw his design out the window.  I'll just stick the peanuts on the side here and hey...i have left over candy, i'll just sprinkle it around the bottom of the cake and wham...bam...bob's your uncle i'm done.  I really thought he should have been in the bottom.

Wasn't Steve the one in the first episode that was deathly allergic to nuts?  Yet, here he is, willingly picking the one candy with peanut butter, choosing to press sprinkled nuts on the side of his cake, etc.

[Boofish]

So annoyed that Food Network doesn't put episodes online!

If you have Comcast/Xfinity all episodes are available online

[Rammchick]

I'm with all the rest of you, I seriously didn't get it at first.  I also thought those candies had to be baked into the cake.  Which brings up another question.  No one except Duff tried any of the candy (I seem to remember him putting a malted milk ball in his mouth), or at least we didn't see it.  So wasn't the point to coordinate the flavors of the cake with the candy, at least somewhat?  That suggests that you had to try the candy too.

 

I also didn't get the outcome.  Susan's flavors were good, even though the ornament looked squashed.  The other contestant, whose name escapes me, had a better looking cake, although all brown, but it didn't taste that great.  So when does flavor trump presentation or vice versa?  Or was Susan "chopped" because she did poorly in the first round too?

[Writing Wrongs]

I've seen them do the stuffed cake on one of the Great (insert country here) Baking Shows I watch. I don't really get it either. I was surprised they were ok with the wrapped candy. Weird.

[caci]

I liked Susan and thought she could be very funny in her comments. It's too bad she was eliminated. Steve can go any time. So far none of the other contestants really bother me.

[Psychobunny]

I kind of like Steve and  just to defend him-he said he was allergic to nuts and peanuts are not nuts-they are a legume.  There are actually two separate and unrelated allergies:

 

#1) Tree nuts-walnut, almond, hazelnut, cashew, pistachio, and Brazil nuts

#2) Peanuts

Each is one of the most serious allergies and can be fatal but there is NOT cross-reactivity.

My pet peeve for this episode was that Maeve supposedly hates peppermint but she had the peppermint candies. She apparently wasn't the last to pick but even if she got stuck with them you would think they could mention it.

Also I agree with the comments above that Susan had a better tasting take and should have stayed.

[Texasmom1970]

I've seen them do the stuffed cake on one of the Great (insert country here) Baking Shows I watch. I don't really get it either. I was surprised they were ok with the wrapped candy. Weird.

I thought it was odd as well. I thought they would have to make a filling or something not just cut a hole and dump candy in. What I immediately thought of was the old time tunnel cakes filled inside.

I was surprised to see Santa's annoying, happy elf get eliminated. I do think hers was the worst but usually they try to keep the peppy contestants that bug the hell out of you around longer!

[mlp]

I'd never heard of pinata cakes but there sure are a lot of them, some really cool, in that link above.  Apparently, they've been popular for some time.  I don't quite see the point but some of them do look pretty neat.

 

Like others said, I thought the candies were to be incorporated into the cake batter so I didn't understand why Brianna took the green ones because she thought they were gumballs.  Who would put gumballs in a cake?  I also don't understand why she made a brown cake.  It didn't look appealing at all. 

 

I liked Susan despite the hideous red hair.  If she has a successful B&B in a popular and quaint town like Galena, she must be doing something right.  Probably not baking.

 

I still don't like Maeve and Melody is just slightly less annoying.  Padua cracks me up and he seems to have real skills.  My favorite at this point is Adalberto.

[stormy]

I was sorry to see Susan go. 

The whole concept of the candy filled cake was stupid.

[Wings]

I liked the idea of the wrapped candy.  If you are making this cake you are doing it where guests are involved and they can pop a few into their pocket or purse like a little favor.  

 

Susan should not have been eliminated.  Her cake tasted good, they liked the wrapped candies and she decorated her cake.  She lost to a woman who only had good tasting frosting.   Too bad. 

 

Cake is my favorite desert and I would have been disappointed to find MY piece of cake tiny because candy took up most of the room! 

[tom87]

I liked the idea of the wrapped candy.  If you are making this cake you are doing it where guests are involved and they can pop a few into their pocket or purse like a little favor.  

 

Susan should not have been eliminated.  Her cake tasted good, they liked the wrapped candies and she decorated her cake.  She lost to a woman who only had good tasting frosting.   Too bad. 

 

Cake is my favorite desert and I would have been disappointed to find MY piece of cake tiny because candy took up most of the room! 

Just the wrapping being in the cake is weird to me.  

 

I was thinking the same thing the middle of the cake is the best part.

Edited November 19, 2015 by tom87

[grisgris]

What a strange challenge. I also thought that the challenge was to somehow incorporate the candy into the baked cake. Susan probably could have melted those strawberry candies into some kind of filling.

 

I liked Haley's cake the best. Using the M&Ms as holiday bulbs was very clever. That looked like something out of Lorraine's wheelhouse.

 

Speaking of, do you think the producers coached Lorraine and Nancy to ramp up the drama between the two of them? It seemed very contrived.

 

I liked Susan. Too bad she got cut, but she had a really bad showing in both challenges.

[Pepper the Cat]

Wasn't Steve the one in the first episode that was deathly allergic to nuts?  Yet, here he is, willingly picking the one candy with peanut butter, choosing to press sprinkled nuts on the side of his cake, etc.

That's what I was thinking. How can you go from "one speck of nut will kill me" to " let's decorate a cake with nuts"

[needschocolate]

My first thought was the canides were to be baked into the cake but the pinata represented how the cake should be presented.

 

I am just glad they didn't blindfold them and make hit the cake with a stick.

[Qoass]

Aw, Susan was my favorite so I was sorry to see her go.  Then again, I like Brianna so it was a no win.  I only hope that Susan and Nancy get together after the show for a little "Gigi juice".  I'd love to see those two get plastered together.

 

 

[EyewatchTV211]

I wish this show was done like the Great British Baking Show with different things being made each week.  They did do one season of it here in the US but I guess it didn't take :(

 

Anyway Maeve was very annoying.  I'm also getting tired of all the crying.  My goodness!

 

I liked Steve's wreath and I'm glad he won.  Susan can go any time now.  Why do they feel they need a peppy pain in the ass during every show?

Late in responding, but I believe they are doing a 4 week holiday version of the GBBS in America again. I've been seeing commercials for it. Unless I missed part of it and they are just airing the British version. 

[Me Too]

Late in responding, but I believe they are doing a 4 week holiday version of the GBBS in America again. I've been seeing commercials for it. Unless I missed part of it and they are just airing the British version. 

 

Which network?

 

[roctavia]

Which network?

 

I think ABC... it starts Nov 30th,

[Me Too]

Thanks

[Brookside]

I think ABC... it starts Nov 30th,

Yes, ABC.

 

This show reminds me why I like GBBS so much --- format, chefs, time allowed to bake,  judges, contestants, lack of drama, supportive contestant's, and lack of ads (though of course ABC will have ads).  I realize it's a very different show, but I won't be watching this one anymore --- too much manic running around, not long enough to cook, professional contestants (some of whom don't seem to be able to bake), the drama,  and the mainly insufferable judges.

Edited November 23, 2015 by Brookside

[stormy]

Brianna should have gone. Last week.

Adalberto's cake was beautiful and looked delicious too.

[joanne3482]

Brianna should have gone. Last week.

Adalberto's cake was beautiful and looked delicious too.

I thought it was interesting how pleased the judges were to get the squash taste in the cake. Not a squash eater myself, I was surprised that this was desirable. 

[mlp]

Adalberto's cake was beautiful.  In fact, almost everything he's done has been creative and attractive.  The flavor of the winter squash he used is more akin to pumpkin than it is to many other types of squash so I can see how it worked.  He and Padua are my favorites and I give Adalberto an edge so far because of presentation.  Maeve can go any time along with Melody and Haley. 

[CherZ]

Brianna should have gone. Last week.

 

YES! She was a sweet girl but way in over her head. The fact that they cut Susan when at least her cake tasted good made me believe there was some sort of producer-driven angle behind the scenes. Also Susan had won twice so....

[Bobcatkitten]

Haley is adorable but how long can she stay in this competition making cookies? And not even particularly impressive cookies. 

[cherrypj]

I actually like this show. From Bobby D's insanely straight posture to the fake fights between the judges, it's just great. I look forward to Sunday nights. 

 

I, however, feel that it's a little staged. Twice now, we've had people dump way too much extract into their baked dishes. Like Adalberto--he's sooooo accomplished and makes beautiful cakes--how in the hell does he just pour extract into his batter? Or Maeve "forgetting" to assemble her wreath parfaits, but doesn't get eliminated. There's no way.

 

These moments don't really distract from the rest of the show for me, though. I like Adalberto, Padua, and Steven. 

[penbrat]

Haley is adorable but how long can she stay in this competition making cookies? And not even particularly impressive cookies. 

True, but you are right -she is adorable and tries so hard - I was really pulling for Susan and she got the short end of the stick (although that cake was butt ugly)  I am now pulling for Abdalberto, Paudua and Haley.  This really is a fun, fluffy show.

[Lura]

Coming on the heels of the Great British Bake Off, with its seasoned

bakers, this show reminds me of Amateur Hour with its less talented bakers.  Still, it's fun to watch.

 

After watching years of Bobby Deen taking insults from his mother, I tend to think of him as a wuss.  Actually, on this show, he's not so bad.  He's on his own now, and maybe he'll turn into a very smooth host one of these days.  I didn't care for him last year, but he's much better this year, I believe.  The judges, too, are fine with me.  Nancy really knows her food, has tons of experience, and can usually tell a contestant not only what went wrong but also what caused it.  I think they appreciate learning from her.   

 

My favorite contestant, by far, is Adalberto, who I think is super talented and modest.  Padua is my other favorite.  Both of them are so creative and serious about their work.  My least favorites are Steve and Maeve.  Steve is one big ego who will show off his dancing skills (?) at every opportunity, and Maeve has disgusted me with her crying, her drama, her frowns, her constant references to being Irish, and her insistence in putting some Irish twist onto everything she bakes.  I'm Irish, too, but I don't advertise it.  She also looks mean, and I'd be happy to escort her to the door.  Is the blonde named Melody?  She has a beautiful smile and a friendly disposition.  I like her, too.

 

Even though this may not be the best baking show to hit the airwaves, I find it engaging and think it's fun to see who will win each week and ultimately who will wind up with the money.

[Mittengirl]

I like the fact that the contestants are making actual food using fairly normal ingredients. No towers of fondant and sugar that, while edible, aren't really food. Also no offbeat surprise ingredients like Spam or radishes.

Speaking of ingredients, did the ever specify how much of the fruit that Pasua assigned everyone or the marshmallows they were required to use?

[Lura]

Mittengirl, I don't recall that Bobby specified the amount of fruit or marshmallows the contestants needed to use.  Of course, the contestants know that the judges will be looking for the fruit or marshmallow taste, so the smart ones use at least that much.  Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the answer is "no."

Edited November 27, 2015 by Lura

[Texasmom1970]

I know its just a matter of taste but whenever I see Haley mooning

over Bobby Deen I just think really?

[holly4755]

About nuts- You can be severely allergic to tree nuts but be fine with Peanuts that are really legumes not nuts. Or viceversa

 

My issue with this show, is that the cakes are the least important part,  Yes sometimes flavor or texture come into it, but other times they make cookies or cupcakes - they are not all equal. 

Edited November 29, 2015 by holly4755

[Irlandesa]

Coming on the heels of the Great British Bake Off, with its seasoned

bakers, this show reminds me of Amateur Hour with its less talented bakers.  Still, it's fun to watch.

I'm not sure what the environment is like on this show but I suspect the quality of the baking would improve if they had a week to practice their bake between rounds like the GBBO contestants do.  And didn't have fit in curveball "themes" like these bakers do.

 

All that said, I think Adalberto would do wonderfully in a GBBO type of show.

[PamelaMaeSnap]

I'm also definitely on the Adalberto and Padua train ...

 

Extra points for Padua because I live in the basic DC vicinity (though not legit like he is, since he says he's from the streets of Northeast!) ... wish he actually worked for a restaurant though ... I don't think hiring an executive private pastry chef is within my budget!

 

Did anyone else think that he was encouraged to make those "villainous laugh sounds" last night when he was giving out the seasonal fruits and vegetables? 

 

All things into consideration, I'm predicting an Adalberto victory. And that would be fine with me!

 

If Haley is not the next one off, I am definitely crying foul, though.

[Mittengirl]

I read in an article on Vox.com that the bakers on the GBBO were told a few weeks ahead of time what the signature and showstopper challenges would be. That would certainly have helped in cases like Susan having to make whoopie pies. Now how specific the information was that they were given is not stated. Are they told they will make a pie, a fruit pie, or a pie that must contain persimmons?

Haley always seems to be in over her head a bit. Maybe she needs a few more years of experience in order to bake "on the fly", so to speak.

The wreath Adalberto make a few weeks ago was gorgeous; I didn't think the judges gave him enough praise, just a quick mention.

[PamelaMaeSnap]

Mittengirl, ditto on Adalberto's wreath ... I thought it was breathtaking and was surprised he didn't get more love for it!

 

I will also confess to being in the minority (possibly even of one on this board so far) in that I could not STAND Susan and was surprised but pleasantly so to see her go so quickly. I'm sure she's a really nice lady. Her personality just grated on me from the get-go and if she turned on the waterworks one more time about doing it for her kids I was going to barf.

 

I understand on shows like American Idol et al why they make everything about the "personal back stories" ad nauseum, and I'm fine--I even like to a degree--getting a feel for the contestants' personalities, their stories, etc. (The personalities more than the stories, especially since I don't like to see outright assholes win.)

 

But on a show that is ALL about the outcome -- getting the challenge, figuring out what they're going to do with it, and executing it -- I honestly don't give a fig (sorry, Haley) about the fact that you're doing this whole reality show to make your kids proud or whatever and to have to hear it several times per episode (that said, I admit that my dislike for Maeve was tempered the teeniest bit when she said she'd donate some of the money if she wins to a dog shelter). 

 

It can work in context -- like the fact that Adalberto was not thrown by getting the butternut squash because his aunt had taught him to make the butternut squash pudding when he was young. But seeing her photo 16 times was a little bit of overkill. 

 

Few shows seem immune (we rarely see it on Top Chef which is one of the reasons I love that show so much). Was watching a "Chopped" marathon with my daughter on Friday and we all love that show but I hadn't realized until then how much they just clobber you over the head with the cheftestants' stories with a castiron crying pan (just saw this typo but am actually going to leave it because it's pretty fitting) until the episode we saw -- we heard more about their sob stories than we saw them cook.

[NYGirl]

Nooooooo....not Padua.  Sob...he was my favorite.  

 

He should have given those judges the cookie dough with the glass shards.  It would serve them right.  Geez freaking Lorraine couldn't even cut him a break?  

[Irlandesa]

I read in an article on Vox.com that the bakers on the GBBO were told a few weeks ahead of time what the signature and showstopper challenges would be. That would certainly have helped in cases like Susan having to make whoopie pies. Now how specific the information was that they were given is not stated. Are they told they will make a pie, a fruit pie, or a pie that must contain persimmons?

That worked with the GBBO because they could go home in between episodes for a week.  They often spoke about how much they practiced.  GBBO doesn't really pull the "must include persimmons" twist at the last minute.  It's usually "make a fruit pie" or "make a savory bread."  They bake what they've practiced. They bring the ingredients they need.  The only "surprise" they get is in the technical bake where they're told what they have to make and are given a recipe that lacks one or two directions.

 

Sending everyone home for a week would be hard to pull off in the US.  I do think these contestants must be given an idea of the things they will be baking.  Or at least told which recipes to bring because if you've never made a whoopie pie...it's not exactly something that would be easy to just pull off.

[caci]

I really liked Padua. He had a tough break (literally) at the wrong time. I kept hoping one of the contestants I didn't like would have a bad turn, but it wasn't to be.

[mlp]

I hated to see Padua go.  I figured he and Adalberto would be the finalists.  I was hoping to see Maeve go.  I just don't like her and she looks like she did her hair and make up in 1942.  Haley bugs me just slightly less.  However, come to think of it, the person who annoys me the most is Nancy Fuller. 

[Madding crowd]

Padua and Adalberto are my two faves, so sorry to see either one go. Haley and Maeve seem less talented than the rest and Haley in particular seems to make very plain and basic stuff (not to me but to the judges). They seem to show the most talking heads from Maeve though so i don't know if that means she goes through to the end or she just talks the most.

 

Duff doesn't say much but Lorraine and Nancy seem awfully picky. I wonder if Duff is edited out more because he says more positive things. 

[GaT]

I hated to see Padua go.  I figured he and Adalberto would be the finalists. 

Me too, I think they're the best two bakers, but this week was bad for both of them.

[CMH1981]

I figured Padua would leave once they called out that he only gave them two cookies due to the mixing bowl mishap.  

 

I figure Melody will end up winning this thing, it's always seems to be baker's of her type that win...which it is what it is.  

 

I'm really tire of Maeve and her bitchy faces she makes, she seems like she would be an uptight bitch at her bakery if you didn't like something you purchased and made a comment about it.

[cherrypj]

Can I just say I'm tired of shows that judge only on what happened in a specific episode? Why can't Padua and Adalberto be judged on their overall work? What's so hard about that? I can see why PR and Top Chef eliminate strong contestants who have a bad day, even if I don't like it: guest judges have no way of reconciling what's in front of them with the work from past weeks. But this baking show has no guest judges.

 

And this silly trend of glass bowls for stand mixers has got to stop. Metal wouldn't have chipped.

 

Padua made absolutely the right decision, and I'm glad he didn't hesitate to dump the glassy dough. Had he served it, you can bet I would never go eat where he works.

[Eliza422]

Can I just say I'm tired of shows that judge only on what happened in a specific episode? Why can't Padua and Adalberto be judged on their overall work? What's so hard about that? I can see why PR and Top Chef eliminate strong contestants who have a bad day, even if I don't like it: guest judges have no way of reconciling what's in front of them with the work from past weeks. But this baking show has no guest judges.

 

And this silly trend of glass bowls for stand mixers has got to stop. Metal wouldn't have chipped.

 

Padua made absolutely the right decision, and I'm glad he didn't hesitate to dump the glassy dough. Had he served it, you can bet I would never go eat where he works.

I agree he couldn't serve it, but I question his decision not to try another dough. Maybe an easier, quick one - of course they don't show us the real time these things take. He did seem to be a more deliberate baker, not one of the madcap ones that tends to make it far in these types of competitions.

[CMH1981]

 

And this silly trend of glass bowls for stand mixers has got to stop. Metal wouldn't have chipped.

 

Well...metal doesn't photograph as well as glass on camera.

[Frost]

I was shocked they sent Padua home.  I thought he was the golden boy.  The editing jumps around so much it's hard to tell how much time was left when he broke the bowl, but mixing up cookie dough doesn't take that long.  I couldn't figure out why he didn't whip out another batch.  If he had broken glass over a sheet of baked cookies I could see running out of time.  They probably need at least 30 minutes to bake, cool, and decorate.  But he was still at the mixing stage!  He even said at the time that he was making two cookies out of the same dough so he knew he was going to get called out on it. 

 

I admit it's petty but I can't stand Melody.  People that open their mouths wide when they talk drive me crazy.  I don't need to see your tonsils when you're talking!  Like I said, petty. :-)