Great British Bake Off 2023 confirms finalists after tense semi-final
The Great British Bake Off series 14 spoilers follow.
Tonight's (November 21) episode of The Great British Bake Off confirmed the three bakers moving on to the 2023 final.
Following a tense patisserie-themed semi-final, Josh, Dan and Matty were revealed to be this year's finalists — with Tasha just missing out.
Alison Hammond was under the weather, so co-host Noel Fielding informed the four remaining bakers that they'd make an elegant French classic for the Signature challenge: Parisian financiers.
At judging, Dan's financiers earned him a handshake from judge Paul Hollywood, who called them "perfect".
"There's a lot of chat about getting a handshake off Paul. I'd like a fist bump off Prue, personally," Dan quipped. "I might see if I can get one off her tomorrow."
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Next was the Technical challenge set by judge Prue Leith. The contestants tackled an aesthetic tarte aux pomme — a French apple tart consisting of a short pastry case filled with an almond, frangipane and apple purée.
Tasha's apple tart ranked last after a problem with her pastry, followed by Dan in third. Matty took second place, with Josh's "absolutely lovely" bake coming in first.
For the Showstopper, the bakers were given four hours to create a Millefoglie, an Italian celebration cake made of highly decorated pastry.
Prue described Josh's Millefoglie as a "thing of beauty", while the judges praised Dan for his imaginative Hypersonic-themed patisserie. Meanwhile, Matty's three-tiered bake left Paul "not convinced" by his puff pastry, and Tasha disappointed the judges with her curd, which Paul described as "grainy".
Related: Bake Off's Alison Hammond surprised she had to audition for presenting role
Following Prue and Paul's deliberations, Noel revealed that Tasha would not make it to this year's Bake Off final.
"I'm just emotional," Tasha said. "That's the really special thing about Bake Off, it is the most supportive and loving environment. It's changed me — realising I can do so much more than I realised I was capable of. It's a special place. I'm very lucky to be a part of it."
This season's final Star Baker went to Josh, who said: "I can't believe that at all. Star Baker in the semi-final, that is incredible. Really chuffed."
The Great British Bake Off and its spin-off Bake Off: An Extra Slice both air on Channel 4 in the UK. In the US, it's known as The Great British Baking Show, and streams on Netflix.
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