From Pastry Week to Botanical Week on The Great British Bake Off

‘Pastry Week’ was the theme of last night’s episode of ‘The Great British Bake Off’ which aired at 8pm on BBC1.

In the show, which was episode 5 of 11, the remaining eight contestants were set three challenges to test their baking skills on three very different types of pastry.

The signature challenge was a Danish pastry. In the technical challenge, co-judge Mary Berry gave them limited time and instructions to bake a Bakewell tart. And the showstopper was made of filo: a fine pastry that is notoriously difficult to make and even trickier to bake.

Episode six airs next Wednesday (September 28) at 8pm on BBC1 and for the very first time on Bake Off, it’s ‘Botanical Week’. The three challenges are inspired by nature. The bakers can reach for anything that grows, to give their bakes maximum botanical taste.

The contestants will start with a signature challenge with a twist that demands ‘sharp citrus flavours and perfect peaks’. Then there is a ‘leafy’ technical challenge set by co-judge Paul Hollywood. Finally, the botanical showstopper is described as ‘the biggest challenge of the series so far’: three tiers of elaborately decorated cake. Paul and Mary are looking for beautifully flavoured sponges and to be wowed by stunning floral designs.

L-r: co-presenter Sue Perkins, co-judges Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry, co-presenter Mel Giedroyc