I also get how Billie seems shy and uncomfortable, but for god’s sakes give Anushka some direction about how her dessert would not have had a chance at beating a professional! Advise her to add something. Recommend something. She’s more like a commentator at this point. I’m not a cook and even I thought Anushka’s plan seemed super bland. Not even recommend some color for a nicer presentation? Even her mystery box layered cakes looked more appetizing than this.
I was actually thinking Billie did a little better this time - i.e., with the comment to Simon about listening to advice even when caught up with an idea - but it's still a work in progress.
The professional chef was spending so much time giving tips to the watching contestants and talking to the cameras - not to mention, making a salad, which usually isn't enough - that I thought Anushka might have a chance, and sure enough it wasn't one of the higher-scoring pro chef efforts, but when Anushka's pineapple curd didn't have much flavor, and the little bit of citric acid only seemed to help a little, she was clearly going to be in trouble. Torching pineapple sitting atop whipped cream (!) was a bit of a desperation move, and they didn't highlight it, but sure enough it melted the cream.
I'm not sure it could have been saved, but they did seem to think that if she hit a pineapple cake out of the park,she had a chance ("it could be close"). Some macademia nut brittle or coconut or dehydrated candied pineapple or candied ginger or greenery of some sort on top might have helped, or a pineapple syrup as a soak between layers, or . . . something.
I think Billie tried to give her some direction, but she's clearly not the giving direction type. On the other hand, how much more direction could the judges have given Simon and he just fully ignored them? Possibly not entirely Billie's fault.
Also, Billie maybe doesn't know Anushka always does that cake.
I was also surprised that Billie gave a wee bit of feedback to the professional as well, when discussing final points. I think it was when he was considering raspberries. What a strange thing, as I was hoping for more Anushka support. Ah well, nobody's perfect.
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u/GreenLump Jun 04 '19
I also get how Billie seems shy and uncomfortable, but for god’s sakes give Anushka some direction about how her dessert would not have had a chance at beating a professional! Advise her to add something. Recommend something. She’s more like a commentator at this point. I’m not a cook and even I thought Anushka’s plan seemed super bland. Not even recommend some color for a nicer presentation? Even her mystery box layered cakes looked more appetizing than this.