‘The Great British Baking Show’: Nigella Lawson Debuts as Contestants Face Cake Week

The Great British Baking Show is back, and things look a little different this season: Prue Leith is gone, and famed British food writer and celebrity cook Nigella Lawson has stepped in to add her own style to the tent.

Hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding introduced the 12 budding bakers to Lawson at the start of the show. At the same time, Fielding also joked that Paul Hollywood would be debuting a new, positive attitude this season. Unfortunately, the lack of a smile on Hollywood’s face suggested that wouldn’t be the case.

Lawson shared her excitement about joining the show, saying, “I’m full of cake and hope and expectation. The standard is incredibly high.” She later said of the contestants, “It’s also important for them to learn. None of us are finished articles.”

Read on to find out what happened as the show’s Collection 14, Week 1 premiered on Netflix on Friday, September 25…

For the opening Signature challenge, the bakers were tasked with making a “sumptuous” chocolate stout cake. Political economy student Mo was the first to impress the judges with his peanut-and-caramel chocolate stout cake, which Lawson said looked “irresistible.”

“When you have a bit of salt in something you are just singing a song,” she added. “That looks rather spectacular. I’m in heaven.”

 

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Hollywood was also impressed with Mo’s effort, describing the flavors as “absolutely spot on” and telling the 22-year-old, “I’m looking forward to seeing what you are going to do next.”

For the Technical challenge, the participants were asked to make a coffee and walnut cake. This proved challenging for accessibility co-ordinator Molly and HGV service center administrator Danni, both of whom felt the heat of being the first bakers eliminated from the competition.

 

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Things only got worse for Danni in the self-portrait Showstopper, when her vegan cake collapsed as soon as the contestants stepped away from the tent.

Fortunately for Danni and the rest of the bakers, they got a reprieve when project planner Shannon fell ill during the Showstopper challenge. Shannon was too unwell to continue and had to leave the tent mid-challenge. Hammond told the contestants that it wouldn’t be fair to send anyone home, so all 12 bakers moved on to Week 2.

Mo, meanwhile, was named Star Baker after impressing the judges with his creations in all three rounds. However, retired garment technologist Gary was hot on Mo’s heels after coming first in the Technical challenge.

What did you think of the first episode? Does Lawson make a good judge? Let us know your thoughts below.