UCL Student Tackles Baking Battle

The biggest prize in TV baking is up for grabs again but the first bake was a challenging one for the only student in the competition.

Ruby Tandoh, who studies History of Art and Philosophy in London, got off to a rocky start when it came to making sandwich cake.

The model and food blogger opened up with a disappointing rhubarb and custard cake that failed to cut the mustard with judges Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry.

Paul, the Tom Jones of baking, told her, “The top on it looks a bit of a mess.”

Legend of cakes Marry added: “Not a good rise, that really is a bit runny.”

The dodgy sponge left her ahead of only one rival, the inept Toby who failed to recognise the difference between salt and sugar during his first bake.

This led Ruby to reflect: “I’m absolutely at the bottom of the pile, without a doubt.”

She later revealed, in conversation with host Sue Perkins, that she felt “traumatised” by her rude welcome to the show as silver fox Paul warned “When you’re in the last three, you’re in trouble.”

Ruby went into the ‘Showstopper challenge’ – this week a decorative chocolate cake – with the pressure on.

This wasn’t aided by the judges who requested the contestants use “at least two types of chocolate.”

Ruby opted for a ‘chocolate and ginger night sky cake wrapped in an asymmetric dark chocolate collar’ which wowed the judges.

Mary told her “I like that, it goes” which was echoed by tautology enthusiast Paul who added “I like that. The ginger gives it a little bit of heat as well.”

At the final judgement it was hapless Toby who was going home after being told his chocolate effort was “a mess”, “over-baked” and “dry”.

Space satellite designer Rob took the first ‘Star Baker’ title of the series and will provide stiff competition.

With week one over and the nerves settled down it’s fingers crossed for the sole representative of Britain’s students as she moves onto bread week.

Great British Bake Off is on BBC Two at 8pm every Tuesday and can also be found on iPlayer.