GBBOFL 11 // Draft Analysis & Episode 2 Recap

For the very first time... Hello GBBOFL! You are reading this because we reached (and exceeded) the mostly arbitrary number of 10 participants and are moving forward with this "experimental" league. Welcome to both the TCFL regulars and our newcomers. I'm hoping that this League can be the greatest spin-off since this very good boy was on TV...

As I've said, this League (for now) is an experiment. Please provide any feedback that you think may be helpful. TCFL has been running in some form for almost 10 seasons and only now do I feel like it's pretty well locked in, so your opinions for GBBOFL will be appreciated. As you may have noticed, I've already made one change: I initially felt it was appropriate to refer to all of this by the American/Netflix designations (this would be "Collection 8" of "The Great British Baking Show") but it is abundantly clear now that most of us are old heads that have been watching since the days on PBS. So this is "Bake Off" and we are in Series 11.

Just because we are in an experiment doesn't mean that we aren't playing for anything. 12 teams signed up, so here is the Prize breakdown:

1st Place: $50.00

2nd Place: $10.00

Let's take a look at some Draft stats:

Peter was far and away the most picked Baker, selected in some form by all 12 teams. No one else was close. Linda and Marc were not selected by any teams which is surprising considering Rowan was selected a whopping three times. I cannot wait for that guy to be off my TV.

Peter was also most selected as #1/(4x) and #2/(3x) Baker (five times each) while Lottie was most selected as #3/(2x) Baker (also five times).

Because of the multiplied scoring of each Baker, I'm not sure that Tiebreakers will come into play, but we were consistent in thinking that Bread Week will be coming in the next few episodes. Where we did differ was in Handshakes with a wide distribution:

Now a quick Episode 2 Recap before we get to our first Scoreboard:

• As the regular TCFL-ers know: I'm a windbag. So over the years, everyone has gotten a pretty clear look at all my opinions re: Top Chef. No one (except Mrs. Commish) knows my opinions on Bake Off. So let's start with a (possibly?) controversial one: I like Noel. I think he's hilarious. I like that he gave Sura shit about knocking over trays. 

• I either forgot or did not notice that Marc has a prosthetic leg. One of my favorite things about Bake Off is that they don't go out of their way to point out things like this. It took me weeks to notice Briony's hand and I'm apparently not alone. Did you guys notice the prosthetic? Should we all feel like a-holes for not picking him?
• At this point, it's been 1.25 episodes of Series 11, but finding out that Rowan has a waistcoat collection and polishes his antiques in his free time is the least surprised I've ever been while watching this show.
• I've never heard of or had caramelized white chocolate, but I super want it as soon as possible.
• Sexual innuendo (whether intentional or unintentional) isn't nearly as fun with Prue as it was with Mary. If there are any Prue-heads out there, convince me why I shouldn't be missing Mary more and more with every passing episode.
• They tell Hermine that she needed to soak her mangoes so that her florentines wouldn't be so leathery but then tell Mak his are too gooey because he soaked his mangoes?
• Paul tried really hard not to give that Handshake. Maybe he's reading his own press.
• British Slang of the Week: "I've made these with my mum before, but donkey's ago." -- Peter
• I agree with a lot of the criticism from Episode 1 that the Showstopper Challenge was a little too... "Nailed It!". The Biscuit Showstopper is more what we are here to see.
• Linda bounced back from a tough Episode 1 with a good showing in the Technical and a beautiful Showstopper. Will she make us regret not picking her?
• Dave had a standout week winning the Technical and making an awesome taco holder in the Showstopper on the way to Star Baker. He rewarded Justin C.'s The Losers as the only team to pick him as #1/(4x) Baker.
• Mak or Rowan, Rowan or Mak. I don't think it makes much of a difference as I believe that Rowan is on the way out soon anyway. Unfortunately Lisa M.'s The Soggy Bottom is the only team to have selected Mak and is so far the only Team to lose a Baker.

That's it for our first week. Good luck everyone and I hope to hear from you all throughout the season!