The Great British Bake Off season 15 episode 2 recap: Biscuit Week sends two bakers home while several health issues arise

The Great British Bake Off season 15 aired episode 2 this week on Monday, October 1, 2024, on Channel 4. The reality baking competition saw Jeff return to the show after unexpectedly leaving the show due to a health issue the previous week.

The theme was Biscuit Week and the challenges ranged from Viennese sandwich biscuits to a biscuit puppet theater. As per the synopsis of the episode:

"It is Biscuit Week and the bakers make Viennese sandwiches, a retro, minty favourite, and present puppet theaters as they compete to take centre stage. The tension is not confined to the bakes, as drama unfolds in the tent."

By the end of the episode, two contestants had left the show. Unwell Jeff decided to call it quits after returning to the competition briefly, while Hazel was eliminated. Illiyin and Danny also faced health issues but were able to continue competing.

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The Great British Bake Off season 15 episode 2: Contestants made Viennese Whirl, Mint Cream Biscuits and more

The Great British Bake Off season 15 episode 2 was themed Biscuit Week. During the Signature Bake, they had to make a Viennese Whirl. The judges stated they would consider the texture and wanted to experience unique flavors.

John made Irish Cream and Coffee Biscuits, while Jeff created a dish called 'What's the Matter, Are You Not Feeling Well?' biscuit. Illiyin's 'Pistachio and White Chocolate Viennese' biscuits were described as "more traditional biscuit than Viennese." Christiaan made 'Floral Viennese' biscuits, while Georgie made 'Rhubarb and Custard Viennese' biscuits.

Nelly's dish was called 'My First Dog' biscuits while Sumayah made 'Cheese and Blackberry Viennese' biscuits. The Great British Bake Off contestant Mike made 'Malted Brown Butter and Raspberry Viennese' biscuits, and Andy created 'Peanut Butter and Jelly Viennese' biscuits.

Moreover, Dylan made 'Campfire Cookie Viennese' biscuits. Gill created a 'Two Desserts Viennese' biscuit, while Hazel presented 'Coffee and Hazelnut Viennese' biscuits.

The following challenge in The Great British Bake Off episode 2 included making Mint Cream Biscuits. The cast had to make 12 biscuits. During the task, Jeff expressed wanting to leave the show. He said he had "enough" and couldn't "do it."

"This time around just wasn't right for me," Jeff said while leaving the show.

Jeff wasn't the only contestant who fell ill this week. Soon after The Great British Bake Off star's self-elimination, Illiyin fainted after the technical challenge. She made it through the Showstopper challenge but was unable to present it to the judges. However, Noel Fielding stepped in for her while she rested.

Dylan also took a tumble during the showstopper segment but continued participating in the episode.

In the Showstopper challenge, the cast was tasked with creating an edible puppet theater. The creations included:

• Andy made 'If Pigs Could Fly' Biscuit Puppet Theater
• Christiaan created 'Finding Home Biscuit' Puppet Theater
• Georgie presented 'Welsh Festival' Biscuit Puppet Theater
• John showcased 'Welsh Adventures' Biscuit Puppet Theater
• Hazel's dish was called the 'Punch and Judy' Biscuit Puppet Theater
• Dylan made 'Rabbit in the Moon' Biscuit Puppet Theater
• Gill came up with "The Gingerbread Man' Biscuit Puppet Theater
• Mike created 'Go Farming' Biscuit Puppet Theater
• Illiyin made 'Strawberry Fields Forever' Biscuit Puppet Theater
• Nelly showcased 'Forest Dance' Biscuit Puppet Theater
• Sumayah presented 'Enchanted Garden' Biscuit Puppet Theater

Sumayah's creation won her the Star Baker acknowledgment, while Hazel was eliminated from the show. Before leaving The Great British Bake Off season 15, she said that she might not bake puppet theaters anymore.

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The Great British Bake Off airs every Monday on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom. Fans in America can stream the show on Netflix as it drops new episodes every Friday.