Need proof that Bake Off has gone stale? Watch the 2024 final

This review contains spoilers

On nine weeks of polite baking, this year Bake a batch of 12 was reduced to just three. But only one could win the prized glass cake stand: will it be prodigy Dylan, consistent maestra Georgie or demanding maverick Christiaan? Despite all the interest I was able to generate, I ultimately found very little to sink my teeth into.

For their latest signature bake, the trio were tasked with making two batches of scones – 12 sweet and 12 savory. True to form, Christiaan took on the challenge with all the flavors, combining curry, chilli and feta for his savory scones and coconut and passion fruit for his sweet, while Georgie added raspberries to her sweet mix, mixing olives, cheese and herbs for its flavorfulness.

When Dylan (who made pickled strawberries for sweet and celeriac salmon for savory) and Georgie’s first batches weren’t up to par, they had to make them again. This setback seemed to herald the beginning of the end for Dylan – the beginning of the television equivalent of the yips. As time ran out, Christiaan ran to help with some last-minute tips – but it was too little, too late.

When it came time to judge, Christiaan’s neat little discs were a hit, and Georgie’s were messier but ultimately tasty. Dylan’s were a mixed bag – his savory scones were apparently delicious (they looked like a little horse had trotted over them) and as for his sweet ones, the flavors just weren’t strong enough.

Visibly shaken by his blunder, you could practically see the 20-year-old putting himself in an internally anxious situation. It was heartbreaking, but the hint of emotional peril brightened up an otherwise pretty dull finale. All of a sudden, I really cared about how one of the competitors was doing – a new feeling, as we approached technique.

Tasked with preparing an afternoon tea of ​​lemon sandwich cakes, strawberry tarts and spring rolls, the technician tested the bakers’ organizational skills as much as their cooking.

“Miss one of these things and it could snowball,” said judge Paul Hollywood, and I fear that for poor Dylan, who was completely out of his mind by this point, his words may have turned out to be a prophecy.

From her messy braided rolls to her sunken mini sponges, it seemed like nothing was going Dylan’s way. He came last and swore that tomorrow’s show would be “perfect.” This is more of a nail-biting promise than a nail-biting one.

Entering the tent for the final time, the bakers had to make a three-tier hanging cake, complete with two toppings and exquisite decoration. Georgie excelled, her lemon, strawberry and champagne extravaganza looking as good as it apparently did when the judges came to taste it.

As for Christiaan, his decision to use experimental flavors – notably licorice in his raspberry jam – ended up hurting his chances, and when Paul said his cake was “slightly overcooked”, it seemed clear that he was out of the race. But what about our Dylan? Could he pull him out of the abyss?

I’m afraid not. Like anyone who has found themselves in an inexplicable rut, Dylan quickly discovered chunks of flour in his sponge cake, at which point he seemed to (understandably) completely check it out. In the end, the lovely Georgie was declared the winner, proving that the psychology of competition can be as essential as technical prowess.

Although it was difficult to watch Dylan lose his temper, his battle with himself proved to be the most interesting arc of the episode. Bake has been described as stale (an accusation that, frankly, the finale did little to counter), but it’s more interesting when human idiosyncrasies are added to the mix with raspberries.

Congratulations Georgie, and good luck, Dylan – it happens to the best of us.