While April 1 is all about foolish food pranks, Spring Baking Championship Season 11 episode 4 had the bakers bringing a side of sweetness with the silly. From cracking open eggs to savory deceptive visuals, tricking the mind is creative, but foolish flavors will get a baker sent home.
In the Preheat, the bakers had to create chocolate eggs that look real. Underneath that shell, the inside needed to have a baked element and a “yolk.” The majority of these eggs were quite well done. Since it was a chocolate challenge, a bake challenge, and a décor challenge, the bakers who balanced both those elements did well.
The biggest take away from this challenge is that the bakers needed to be thoughtful with their concept. Doing the required elements well is more important than a big visual.
Even before the “eggs” hit the judges table, it seemed clear which bakers would be on the top and in the bottom. Cory’s eggs were a disaster. After winning challenges, it was disappointing that he had an off bake. Luckily, elimination was not on the line.
Priya was destined to win. After earning a win in the first chocolate challenge, her abstract eggs were pretty. More importantly, the coconut mousse has the texture of a soft boiled egg. It was clear that she would win.
For winning the Preheat, Priya was able to trade ingredients with another baker. She decided to swap for the BLT.
The Main Heat Challenge almost felt like a sophisticated replay of Kids Baking Championship. The “fooling” desserts required the bakers to create food fakes. The desserts looked like classic savory meals, but they were a dessert. That sweet trick needed to be played well.
One element seemed clear in both this episode’s challenges. The bakers needed to “bake” something. Making that component a requirement set the tone. No one can just temper some chocolate and be done with the challenge.
The judges were most impressed with the desserts that truly captured the deception. In most cases, the visual creativity matched the deliciousness of the dessert.
The two bakers who mastered the deception were Mary-Frances and Lisa. Mary-Frances’ pizza was nearly perfect. As Duff Goldman said, it totally tricks the mind. It looked and felt like eating a slice of pizza, but it was a dessert.
Lisa had the most masterful display. Her roasted chicken with gravy, peas, mushrooms was clearly the winner. Duff could even pick up the chicken cake and eat it. The mushrooms looked and had the texture of mushrooms.
Overall, Lisa’s thoughtful and creative interpretation earned her the win. Only time will tell if she can keep up the momentum.
Unfortunately, the two bottom bakers were obvious. Jon’Nae and Kareem not only failed with the visual, but there desserts were equally as unimpressive. Kareem’s salmon turned into a slimy mess. The dessert was cloyingly sweet. While he has enthusiasm, he cannot seem to channel his abilities in some of the challenges.
Jon’Nae plated a fish and chips that would have had Gordon Ramsay throw the plate in anger. The block of fish was an unappealing brown color and the chips (fries) looked like they never hit the frier. It seemed as if Jon-Nae just gave up.
The baker sent home on Spring Baking Championship Season 11 episode 4 was Jon’Nae. Unless Kareem gets it together, he could be the next baker to leave the competition.
With the foolish fun in the past, the bakers better get serious in the next couple of challenges. Be sure to watch new episodes of Spring Baking Championship every Monday night at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Food Network. Episodes can be streamed the next day on MAX.