The Great British Bake Off 2014 - Episode 3

By Mark Savile 

Last night it was round three of The Great British Bake Off 2014 and this week it was the turn of the formidable fiend that is bread. Three challenges based around this delicious but difficult global food were set by Paul and Mary, testing every ounce of skill and concentration that the remaining ten bakers possess.

Who would rise up this week and who would finish a slice behind the rest? Chests puffed out, deep breaths and baking tins at the ready, it was time to find out what they would be rustling up this week.

Three and a half hours was the allotted time for the first test, making 12 right royal rye rolls, the "most alliterative challenge to date" as Sue Perkins perfectly described it. Making identical buns was key, and the main problem was the rye's lack of gluten which could cause cooking issues. Some contestants played it safe whilst others pushed the boat out, mixing up more complex dough recipes. After playing the waiting game, hanging on to the last minute to let the dough to rise, the rolls were formed and baked. Luckily the end results were as not mixed as the recipes, and all bakers received positive feedback.

The technical round was next up, with the unseen challenge of making Italian ciabatta bread from very basic instructions, based on one of Paul’s own recipes. The weather was indecisive as some of the bakers were towards the use of the proving drawer, and most were flummoxed to a certain degree by the task at hand. The main problem, unsurprisingly, was over or under-proving, producing pitta-like breads. Kate headed the group, just ahead of Luis, but Jordan's use of oil caused him finish rock bottom last.

Filled loaves were the order of the day for the final hurdle. Attempts included everything from pinwheels to sunflowers to plaits. The big disappointment was Kate's loaf which was raw in the centre but the flavours still came through strong. Make or break amongst the cooks that had finished lower down, the round proved fatal for Jordan who was evicted from the tent. His sweet bread, the only one amongst the ten to attempt a non-savoury loaf, was unfortunately poorly presented and executed. His enthusiasm, quirkiness and flamboyancy will be missed. However, the star baker of the week was Luis, rewarded for his excellent technical bake and his scrumptious Spanish Roscón de reyes. He is becoming a strong contender to win the show.

As the weeks go on the standard keeps getting higher and higher, and next week's dessert theme is bound to prove tough and push the bakers to their limits, whilst whetting the appetite of viewers and judges alike.

Look out for next week's review, as always on Thursday after the show.