Right out of the gate we were feeling like the bakers were going to be underdelivering as there was a lot of "I don't make biscuits, they are in the store" attitude.  we speak about this a bit but also ask ourselves if maybe... just maybe.... this troop isn't particularly strong overall.  We get into maybe some reasons why.  Or is it that the bake difficulty has been amped up or "unnecessary twists" added because they are low on ideas?  We discuss.

Warning:  below here we discuss specific bakes so if that is a spoiler for you stop reading!  we don't announce Star Baker or who's out below - but we do in the episode!

First challenge "illusion macarons".  But were they?  It was more like "shaped" ones.   Does nobody know to tap them? We only saw one do it.... sooooo.  Meredith describes a lot of the designs as "anemic" as they lack the pop and color to make them stand out.  Nice looking designs from Dawn (who we am pretty sure was the one that thought to tap them) and Maxy.  Janusz made some really fun looking ones...  but what he used for color???!  No, sir.  No.  Sheldon thought the take on "raccarons" was clever.  And then... some controversy... is getting "help" cheating?  What kind of help and when is acceptable?

The technical didn't seem all that difficult - and Meredith was grossed out by the nickname of the biscuit.  Another controversy - is not knowing what a certain word means so not creating it correctly "fair" especially if you aren't a native English speaker?   We all felt like the outcome was a bit odd considering the original comments...but guess that they were all equally "ok"... 

Showstopper "masks" was a story of redemption for a couple of folks that did poorly in the technical.  Abdul and Maxy did a beautiful bakes that looked very complicated as did Syabira, Janusz showed a lot of creativity but was it too simple.  Maisam also had a simple design... and a lot of time left over....could she have used that time better?  And poor Carole...lard... it ain't strong.  

In the points Mere and Alison are tied and Sheldon has negated his negative point status.  Listen to hear more!

We wrap up and anticipate what "should" be bread week coming up.  Paul Hollywood will be in his glory and we pull the cover off who's got the goods!

Warning:  This episode and the description below contain spoilers on specific bakes and individual performance - but the notes WILL NOT reveal star baker or who went out.

Great start to GBBO with an epic "Star Wars" kick off.  Prewbacca and Flan Solo .... yes please.  HOW MUCH WEIGHT HAS MATT LOST!?  Holy heck he looks great.  But did he keep his old shirts?  

Meredith bakes a cake ... with some challenges...but delicious, which was a great kick off to rolling into the week.  Alison felt the whole set of challenges was a bit of a softball and we don't disagree - maybe to quickly expose the weakest bakers?  

It was a bit disturbing how many struggled with mini-cakes.  James made sticky toffee pudding while rocking a kilt - appropriate since he is on Meredith's team of the same name.  Will... c'mon dude ... it's buttercream.  Handshake count.... 0.0 so nobody knocking it out of the park.  

Technical didn't seem difficult from an American perspective as it's a pretty common cake here, but not as much for the Brits.  Nobody seemed to bomb it, but Rebs caught the first strong words of "claggy".  Abdul had issues with melty frosting, but was a respectable placement so must have tasked good.  Sandro and showed a lot of confidence... maybe a bit too much if you listen to Alison's opinion of him. We all felt Janusz, Sandro, and Syrabira all looked strong after 2 rounds.  

Showstoppers brought mixed results.... Sheldon was disappointed in Sandro as he felt he bombed it ... how do you over-booze a cake with Prue judging???  Alison pleased with Janusz he's living up to the prior season's Jurgen who was her favorite.  Carole... also proving that she is bringing quirky to the mix, literally.  Maisam showing her experience as is Rebs... 

We all agreed star baker was appropriate as was the one that exited, quality of flavor takes them out handily.

Fantasy leaderboard:  Meredith leading, Alison 2nd, Sheldon 3rd (dang bandaid took away a point!)

This is the inaugural episode of what we hope will be a fun and engaging discussion around a little obsession of ours - the Great British Bake Off.

We kick things off getting to meet our 3 hosts - Alison, Sheldon, and Meredith.  Alison is out resident "ringer" she knows GBBO inside and out and will always have the facts when we need them.  Meredith brings fun and quirky insights, always making us laugh.  She also always has a great way of connecting the outside world to GBBO.  Sheldon is the rookie.  New to bake off in the last couple of years, Alison and Mere brought him in, taught he the ways, and even got him baking!  He also had the beginners luck of winning their little GBBO Fantasy League last season.  Alison still things Jergen got robbed.  

We pay a short homage to Queen Elizabeth II before diving into the 2022 bakers line up... wait... scratch that... we flip the script and roll right into the draft.  Nobody wants to tip their hand!  As we choose, we each say why we chose who we did and the others chime in on their thoughts on that choice as well.  Like last year - only a little bit of "shucks I wanted them" - as we each see different strengths and opportunities in each of the bakers.  

With the teams selected and teams names announced, we outline what to expect in the future episodes - hint, it involves a lot of laughing.  

Do you love The Great British Bake Off?  So do we, and if you do then this podcast may be for YOU!

When Alison, Meredith, and Sheldon first met it was in a completely virtual world of connected fitness.  Taking rides together from different parts of the country they connected through mutual interests and began to chat.

Meredith and Alison began talking about this "British Baking Show" and they introduced Sheldon to it and he was hooked...the three started talking about it more and more.  The banter was always funny, insightful, and together they even made a game of it. Think "Fantasy Football" meets a cooking contest.

The analysis got to be pretty deep and the conversations more and more fun... then one of them brought up doing a podcast and Scrummy Handshakes was born.

Now the three of them get to share the fun with you!  Welcome to their scrummy little world.