It is the quarterfinals and who will be in the semi-finals next week. If I have to guess, I think it will be Chi, Kristi, Zoya and John. I just think Lauren’s youth might just hold her back from that coveted spot in the final four. But let’s see if I am wrong or whose pastry will slump this week. 

Signature Bake

The Bake: 8 Hungarian Chimney Cakes with a yummy filling

The Time: 2 hours

What I would bake: I had chimney cakes for the first time this summer at the Pacific National Exhibition. It was a mango ice cream in a chimney cake from the Praguery. It was delicious. I would make something inspired by this and that would be a vanilla custard with a mango coulis.

What the contestants baked and judges thoughts:

I would totally eat Kristi’s one. It reminds me of Chinese wiener buns that I love so much. I also love Chi’s chimney cake. 

• Chi: Chimney Cake Tiramisu made with cocoa pastry, ladyfinger biscuits and Vietnamese coffee mousse. Bruno and Kyla called it picture perfect. Bruno said Chi nailed the pastry but said the filling was a bit boozy. Kyla liked the Vietnamese coffee flavours
• John: Childhood Chimney Cakes made with lemon curd, mascarpone filling, candied lemons and meringue. Bruno said the baked looked weak as you moved up the chimney cake and Kyla said it was too soft. Bruno liked the lemon curd.
• Kristi: Japanese Hot Dog Chimneys made with nori, fried onions, Japanese mayo and homemade pork sausage. Kyla loved the flavours and Bruno said Kristi should open up her own food stand.
• Lauren: Rhubarb Rose Bouquets made with creme diplomat, pastry roses and strawberry rhubarb. Bruno said the dough was too think but both like the strawberry rhubarb.
• Zoya: Ice Cream Cone Chimney Cake made with sugar and cinnamon cone, brandy whipped cream and marzipan cherry. Bruno said the dough held well. Kyla wanted more filling than dough. Bruno liked the fruit cake flavour.

Technical Bake  

The Bake: Mango Rose Tart

The Time: 2 hours

How I would have fared: So make the pastry and probably the mango filling would be fine. It is the decorative topping that will be an issue. I can’t decorate worth anything and the mango caviar will definitely be an issue.

How the bakers did:

1. John
2. Kristi
3. Chi
4. Zoya
5. Lauren

Showstopper

The Bake: Baklava Tower and make with two types of baklava.

The Time: 4 hours

What I would bake: This is a difficult one, especially if you have to make your own phyllo dough. I would have no clue what flavours I would do. Maybe one with pecans and maybe something with chocolate and coconut.

What the contestants baked and judges thoughts:  

Not really loving any of the flavour combinations of any of these. But if I had to choose one, then John’s is the most appealing to my palate. 

• Chi: Six Degrees of Baklava made with ube and coconut and tomato, feta and dates. Kyla wanted an additional layer but liked the flavour of the tomato one. Bruno liked the ube baklava. 
• John: Sugar and Spice Baklava Tower made with chocolate orange bracelets and pumpkin maple logs. Kyla liked the shine on the logs and liked the play of the pumpkin spice. Kyla wanted more orange blossoms but liked the phyllo.
• Kristi: Carnival Carousel Tower made with raspberry poppy seed logs and chili-lime flower cups. Bruno liked the kick of the chili but noted the baklava was a bit overbaked. 
• Lauren: Pistachio Petal Baklava Tower made with mocha-walnut petals and pistachio-blood orange shells. Bruno called it stunning. Kyla called the pistachio baklava refreshing. Bruno called the mocha a bit bitter and Kyla noted it was a bit over baked.
• Zoya: Baklava Gardens of Paradise made with saffron-almond squares ad cherry pine nut bracelets. Bruno called the cherry pine nut baklava as having a beautiful bake. Kyla liked the flavour. Bruno called her baklava’s as flawless

Up for Star Baker: Zoya and Lauren

In danger of going home: No one mentioned

Star Baker: Zoya

Going Home: John

Quick Thoughts: Ok, so I was wrong about Lauren going home this week. He had a couple of bad bakes. I kind of knew it would be John when his mango curd didn’t set in his technical. Now I have no clue who is the front runner as Chi and Kristi has kind of been floundering over the past few weeks.