30 Jul 2020 | 03:52am IST
Goans do themselves proud in the finals
The Goan finalists came in second but won praise for their innovative recipes that took the judges on a journey of discovery
The fifth series of the Bake Off; The Professional ended in a nail-biting finale, with the French chefs narrowly beating the Indians and the Italians. The Goan pair however won the respect of the judges with their dishes which represented their culture and highlighted their finesse.
The winners were Laurian Veaudor and Thibault Courtoisier, of Cardiff’s Cocorico Patisserie, the French duo who battled against Clanny and Ryan from The Ivy and Domenico Alessandre, Italians from Park Plaza Hotels.
Judges Benoit Blin and co-judge Cherish Finden praised Clanny and Ryan for taking them on a “journey of discovery”. It was a very difficult decision for the judges to pick the finalist.
Clanny Rodrigues and Ryan Pinheiro, who represented The Ivy and worked hard through nine weeks of intense completion did not win the trophy but classed as the finalist.
Judges were very impressed that from the start they introduced their traditional recipes with a touch of class. Judge Cherish said “All the deserts you presented from the start you brought from the heart, you brought your culture from the start to the final that is so beautiful”.
Judge Benoit further added,
“I love the little pyramid texture, it work for me, it ‘s not a jelly, not a caramel, something different”. Judge Cherish said, “It is so complex, so rich, so indulgence, Thank You Mum” referring to Ryan Mother’s Bebinca recipe. Judge Benoit further added, “ You took us on a journey of discovery since the beginning of this competition, Bravo.” Judge Cherish asked the two to turn around before they left for the last time and admired the hairstyle, with a star design at the back of their heads. Benoit added, “The two stars of Indian Pastry”.
The finals were conducted over two days. Day one was timed for two and a half hours wherein they had to prepare two, twenty-four filled chocolates, and an edible chocolate hat that will be worn by a model strutting down the catwalk. Clanny and Ryan’s Goan Beach hat was found not flamboyant for the final.
Their recipes consisted of Goan and Indian flavours, from Gulab jam, semolina, coconut, cashew, Indian chai, and not forgetting Bebinca, Ryan’s mother recipe.
On the second day, the brief was to prepare a historic banquet for King or Queen. The Ivy team based their presentation on India’s Independence Day, complete with all Indian recipes. Their centerpiece, a peacock was a bit of a let down as the wings failed to hold in position, otherwise, all the other pastries, two different types presented were well-liked by the judges. If it were not for that, Clanny and Ryan would have probably been the winners.
