“The Great British Baking Show,” which premiered first as “The Great British Bake-Off” on BBC and later appeared on PBS under its current name, gives amateur bakers a chance to compete with each other in a series of three challenges: 1) a signature recipe; for example, a repertoire staple they may prepare for family and friends; 2) a technical product with few or limited directions; and 3) a showstopper, designed to dazzle in terms of its professional appearance and taste.
On the ninth season’s seventh episode, which aired on Oct. 9, 2018, the six featured bakers were challenged to make a completely dairy-free vegan tartlet (signature recipe), a meringue-free pavlova with tropical fruit (technical product), and a celebratory cake (showstopper). Dairy-free alternative crusts included those made with avocado oil, coconut, or vegetable shortening. Ingredients considered unique to viewers included aquafaba, or chickpea water, and Indian black salt sulfur as a substitute for eggs.
