Outstanding Bakers

MOTE Week 27, 2025

This week on MOTE, I was prompted by Fiona Grey: “Holy cannoli! The celebrity chef judges have arrived!”

After some thought I was reminded of the baking show from over a year back (if you haven’t read this episode yet, you should). This is the next episode.

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"Welcome to another episode of 'Outstanding Baker of the United Kingdom'!"

The male presenter took over from the lady presenter. "We have now reached the Finals. Today we are in Birmingham!"

The presenters threw their arms wide, and the theme tune started playing, and the opening credits started to run.

Lizzie looked across to Acuti, her pygmy cold drake pair. "You're sure this is the one she's in?"

"I've checked the schedules three times. Carys Cynffon-Ysgarlad is in this episode."

The title credits came to an end. Once more the lady and male presenters filled the shot.

"The Regional Heats having been completed, we now have eighteen regional champions from all over the UK."

"These have been divided up into three groups of six, and only the best three of each will make it through to the next round."

"In today's contest we have the champions from Eastern Northern Ireland, East Midlands, Mid-Wales, South West England, West Scotland and Glasgow, and Yorkshire and the Humber."

As each was announced, the screen showed the champion of each region doing something baking related. As the screen showed the red Welsh dragon who had won in Mid-Wales, Lizzie smiled – until Acuti commented "See! This is her episode." Lizzie sighed.

When the dragon and her five human competitors had all been introduced, the shot returned to the presenters, who were standing in front of the gathered contestants.

"There will be three tasks for today. After each one, one of you will be departing the competition. The first two will be judged by two of our resident judges, from Wales Rhian Davies, and from Northern Ireland James Kelly. The final task will be judged by a set of well-known professional chefs."

"What is the first task today, Rhian?"

"Today, contestants, your first task will be a pasty. There are very few restrictions on the filling, but it must contain meat and veg. The pastry must be shortcrust, and it must be at least six inches long. You must produce two identical pasties."

"Thank you, Rhian. Contestants, you will have two hours to prepare and cook your pasties."

"Let the Baking Begin!"

As the screen cut to shots of the contestants starting to bake, Lizzie turned to Acuti. "How does that sound?"

"It depends. If there's enough meat it sounds delightful. But you humans prefer to stuff those things with far too many vegetables, so they probably won't be that tasty."

Lizzie smiled. Acuti was so predictable at times.

Before long it was time for the judging. All the contestants had managed to produce two pasties. One by one, they carried them up to the tasting table, where the judges waited.

When it was Carys' turn, the judges first confirmed the dimensions, and commented nicely on the similarity of the two.

"A nicely firm pastry, both top and bottom, neatly crimped. Shall we open it up and taste it?"

"Yes, Rhian. Lamb and mint, I believe you described this as?"

"Yes, James," replied Carys, "Welsh lamb, mint and veg."

The judges proceeded to cut up and dig in to the pasties set before them. Their comments were very complimentary.

Lizzie looked across to Acuti. "How do you think it's going?"

"Really good. She's doing well."

After all the contestants' efforts had been tasted, there was shown a short discussion between the judges and the presenters, before the results were announced.

To Acuti's visible disappointment, Carys didn't win the round, that honour went to the South West's representative, but nor was she knocked out.

After a short ad break, the remaining contestants were gathered together once more.

"Congratulations on making it this far. There are still two tasks left today."

"James, what will the contestants be asked to bake next?"

"Georgia, today's second task will be a vegetarian flan. You may use any pastry you like, as long as it is firm and well cooked. It must be at least six inches wide. The filling must be solid enough to hold together when the flan is cut into slices, and the only restriction is that it must contain no meat."

"Thank you, James. Contestants, you will have two hours to bake your flans."

"Let the Baking Begin!"

Lizzie didn't need to say anything, but couldn't resist it. "Do you think I should try any of the recipes?"

"No. None of them have any meat. They'll be horrible!"

Lizzie smiled. Draconic tastes were so simple. Meat and accompaniments, or nothing. "I wonder if Carys had her mage taste her recipe to help her perfect it?"

"It would have to be someone human, so probably."

Lizzie returned her attention to the programme. Various shots of the contestants preparing their next dish proceeded. Soon it was tasting time again.

The comments were mixed, some of the contestants doing well, and the rest, including the red dragon that was Acuti's favourite, were somewhat mediocre. Lizzie didn't know who would be going home.

After the discussion between presenters and judges the results of the second round were announced. The Scot claimed the glory this round, but Carys survived again.

Another short ad break followed. The programme resumed with the remaining four contestants gathered together once more.

"Congratulations. There's only one task left."

"Yes, this task will be judged by guest judges, three professional chefs that we've invited specially. Rhian, will you explain the task?"

"Gareth, the final task today will be another pastry-based task, but this time a desert. The contestants will have to bake a fruit pie. It must be fully covered. The filling must be primarily fruit, but may be spiced and seasoned to taste. It must be at least five inches in diameter and at least one inch deep."

"Thank you, Rhian. Contestants, you will have One-and-a-half hours to bake your pies."

"Let the Baking Begin!"

Lizzie turned to Acuti. "That doesn't sound too good."

"Fruit pies? Could they have picked a worse-tasting desert?"

Lizzie didn't respond. She'd noted that Carys appeared to perform better in the meat-based tasks, and that consequently she was likely to be at risk of going out on this challenge. If Acuti hadn't spotted that, she wasn't going to point it out.

In the middle of the following shots, showing the four remaining contestants preparing their pastry and fruit fillings there was a commotion. Someone was heard saying "Flamin' Ada! The celebrity chef judges have arrived!" causing some chuckles on screen.

Indeed, the next shots were the three guest judges asking each contestant what they were baking. There followed more shots of the contestants filling their pies and putting them into the ovens.

Finally, it was time for the final judging. The pies were brought up to the three judges, who proceeded to taste all of them, before debating amongst themselves. Based on the comments, Carys looked to be in trouble.

The final announcement was made. The South West's representative won yet another round, but the crucial question was whether Carys had survived. The tension grew as the presenters announced that the Scot had also made it through. There was only one space in the next round left. And it went to the red dragon from Mid-Wales.

"Yes!" yelled Acuti.

Lizzie merely smiled. Acuti was going to want to watch the next round too.

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My prompt this week went to Leigh Kimmel. As always, I’m looking forwards to reading what everyone comes up with.