I do have a garden box in my backyard and have grown some stuff that I’ve used in my bakes. Mostly, I’ve been successful with strawberries and blackberries that’ve used in tons of bakes. The tomatoes and garlic I’ve grown have been used more for savory dishes. So I am fascinated to see what baking challenges awaits our bakers for the first ever Harvest Week.

Signature Bake

The Bake: Turkish flatbread (pide)

The Time: 1 hour and 45 minutes

What I would bake:

I would go savory with this one. I am thinking asparagus, pesto, parmesan and roasted tomatoes. 

What the contestants baked and judges thoughts:

Everyone’s pide sounds so delicious that I honestly want to try them all. I might be tempted to make one of these once the show releases the recipe of the star baker. 

• Andrew: Party Favourite Pide made with spinach and artichoke dip and parmesan crumble. Kyla called it evenly baked. Bruno liked the kick of the jalapeno. Kyla said without the kick it was just okay.
• Camila: French Onion Pide made with caramelized onions, gruyere and mozzarella cheese and red onion pickle. Bruno called her a magician and said it tasted like a French onion soup.
• Candice: Asparagus-Obsessed Pide made with roasted asparagus, ricotta cheese and asparagus and fennel salad. Kyla called it rich and delicious. Bruno said it was genius to add the shaved fennel as it added a nice contrast. 
• Heather: Home-Grown Harvest Pide made with butternut squash, roasted apples and toasted hazelnuts. Kyla loved the colour and Bruno liked the colour of the bake. Kyla liked the squash and apple combo.
• Kathy: Peppy Pepper Pide made with roasted red peppers. pumpkin seed pesto and nigella seeds. Kyla noted that it was evenly baked. Bruno said the flavour was bang on. 
• Loïc: Wild Harvest Pide made with roasted asparagus, wild mushrooms, haloumi and topped with a deep fried poached egg. Bruno liked the mushroom filling and Kyla same can be said for the asparagus.
• Niv: Kashke Bademjan Pide made with caramelized onions, roasted eggplant and pomegranate seeds. Kyla noted the bottom was pale. Bruno loved the taste of the filling. 

Technical Bake

The Bake: A thousand layer taro moon cake

The Time: 2 hours and 15 minutes

How I would have fared:

The look alone will be my downfall. I might do okay with the puff pastry but it looks a bit different than a usual puff pastry. The filling I would have trouble with too. I would definitely be in the bottom here. My Asian heritage will not help. 

How the bakers did:

1. 

   Loïc
2. Niv
3. Andrew
4. Candice
5. Kathy
6. Camilla
7. Heather

Showstopper

The Bake: Fruit Tile Tart

The Time: 3 hours

What I would bake: Pineapple, strawberry, mango Tile Tart with a vanilla custard and raspberry jam. I am not sure what design I would do. Maybe I would do a sunset

What the contestants baked and judges thoughts:  

If it wasn’t for the banana mousse, I would have been interested in Candice’s but none of these tarts are calling to me to want to try or make.

• Andrew: Fruit Explosion Tart made with blackberry-blueberry jam, lavender pastry cream and dragon fruit. Kyla liked the pattern but noted the filling was soft. Bruno said it lacked structure. 
• Camila: Sunny Day Salpicon Tart made with watermelon gelee, orange mousse and papaya and mango. Kyla said the pastry was droopy distracting from the vibrant top. Bruno liked how she captured the watermelon flavour. 
• Candice: Tropical Dream Tart made with banana mousse, chocolate crust, starfruit and mango. Bruno call the crust beautiful and enjoyed the banana mousse and the fruit snapped and cracked.
• Heather: Northern Lights Fruit tart made with lime-ginger curd, wild blueberry curd and a black cocoa crust. Bruno said it lacked intricate work. Kyla said it had a lot of negative space and the blueberry curd was quite soft. Bruno said the flavour was nice.
• Kathy: Crickets and Quilts Fruit tart made with white chocolate ganache, pomegranate gelee and dragon fruit and kiwi. Kyla liked the quilt work and Bruno noted her knife skills. Bruno said the filling could have used more acidity and he loved the crust.
• Loïc: Throwback Tile Tart made with wild rosehip jam, dragon fruit and kiwi. Bruno called the top intricate. Kyla said the filling felt very soft and drips throughout the tart.
• Niv: Nuclear Trefoil Tart made with cashew frangipane, jackfruit curd, blackberry and mango. Bruno liked the colour combination but noted the fruit was sinking. Kyla noted the jackfruit was dripping. Bruno liked all three flavours in the tart.

Up for Star Baker: Kathy, Candice

In danger of going home: Niv, Loïc

Star Baker: Kathy

Going Home: Niv

Quick Thoughts: 

Sorry to see Niv go. I thought she was a fun baker. I am now pretty sure Kathy and Heather are in the final for sure. I am pretty sure Camilla will be there too but also Candice and maybe Loïc. Next week is old school week and I am looking forward to what the bakes will be.