You might be a redneck if. . . you host a baking
competition? Not a likely pairing in my opinion but Jeff Foxworthy is the host
of the new show The American Baking Competition; I’m still waiting for the
punch line.
On another note it is probably not a good idea to watch a show
about desserts while trying to eat healthier/lose weight.
There seems to be quite an interesting group of contestants.
I was a little confused as to how they laid out this episode because I thought I missed all the contestant intros, but they are actually just scattered
throughout the show. I think this makes it a lot more difficult to remember who
is who. James thinks every girl loves apple pie, I myself am more of a
blueberry girl, but apple is in the top
5. Whitney is overly full of herself and thinks that eating all that junk won’t
someday catch up to her and make her fat. Brian is someone I wish would just
come and clean my house because there would never be a mess with him around.
Tonight's food theme centers around pies and the judges believe that “soggy bottom” is a big no-no
(Pretend someone with a British accent is saying this). So pre bake your
piecrust people! (Of course Whitney does not ever do that, but honestly I don’t
either)
The contestants keep talking about stress and how that they won't allow it in their kitchen. If I ever competed on a cooking/baking show I would probably
dissolve into tears with the first half hour because I do not cope well under
that kind of pressure. So props to all the contestants for not shedding any tears - so far.
The first of the 3 challenges is the Signature Bake. Basically the contestants make whatever pie their heart desires to try and impress the judges.
Carlo made an Easter Ricotta Pie – and the judges claim it has soggy bottom! The ultimate
fail
James's girl worthy Apple Pie – this one has a “Staggering” bottom. Who knew bottoms were so
important to the pie world?
Whitney's Lemon Meringue – Uh-ohs Whit you've got a soggy bottom! Should have pre baked!
Francine made a bacon, chocolate, peanut butter pie? Sounds like a Paula
Deen special. And the judges love it! I might be willing to try it except for my distaste of
peanut butter.
Also who is this Paul Hollywood fellow? Apparently, in Francine's words he's the "George Clooney of the cooking world". Well whoever he is, he has beautiful bright blue eyes! And
his accent * swoon *
The second challenge is a technical bake and they are making a meat pie (blech). Okay after seeing the example it doesn’t look that bad. I
just don’t like dessert words associated with dinner. And it’s very nice of Paul
Hollywood to let the contestants use his recipe.
Effie is my kind of girl, I definitely need to be in control
too.
So this time they are judging blindly (hmm what does that remind me of? The Taste,
anyone?)
For the final challenge of the evening it is the Show Stopping Bake. 36 Sweet tartlets! I would be in agony trying to perfect each and every 36 of my tartlets that I would probably end up like Jeremy and have a mini meltdown.
So what do the contestants need to do for the judges? "Punch them in the face with flavor!" Oh Whitney, I hope you make it to next week because your one-liners are gold. Francine is also great and I love that she uses a Ziploc bag for piping, I have tried that method and it comes out like crap. I could not go back from my fancy piping bag.
There are some pretty tarts and then some real ugly ones!
Paul Hollywood said it right when Carlo’s looked like they were full of tar.
The apple blossom one is quite adorable though. And I’m glad to see Elaine pull
through because I felt bad after her peach pie pool mishap.
I think that Carlo is a prime candidate for elimination. His
desserts have been pretty weak.
Best Baker of the Week: Francine!
Eliminated: Carlo
So I’m still unsure of Jeff’s true role (I mean host obviously, he seems so out of place though), He seems to just wander
around, sample things, and deliver the bad news.
Until next week bakers!
