American Baking Competition 2013 Recap: Premiere – CBS Tries Cooking

CBS is making it’s attempt into the cooking reality shows, as they premiered their new show The American Baking Competition 2013 and gives amateur bakers a chance to win $250,000 and their own cookbook! That is a huge prize, especially for amateur chefs. The American Baking Competition 2013 is hosted by Jeff Foxworthy and is a chance for CBS to compete against MasterChef 2013 Season 4 on FOX. Will it survive though? Check out our American Baking Competition 2013 Recap and see what you think and what we think!

Things start out and we take a look at some of the contestants, that include a firefighter, a farmer and from a law office. Each week the contestants will compete in three different bakes: a signature dish bake, a technical bake (all given the same recipe, but with some ingredients missing) and the showstopper (which is their last chance to wow the judges). The judges are Marcela Valladolid and Paul Hollywood. Each week they will pick a star baker and one baker will go home!

Tonight it is all about pie! Francine says that Paul Hollywood is the George Clooney of baking. Really? Jeremy didn’t know about the $250,000 prize. Why you there then?

They have two hours to create their own version of the American Pie. Jeremy will be making his grandma’s Sweet Potato Pie. Paul said that nutmeg is a great ingredient, but has to be careful on using the right amount. Kolette might be a little goofy, but I think I might like her! James seems to be all about the ladies and is distracted by Whitney, who is baking in front of him. She seems annoying to me. Anyone else? James is making a Mile High Apple Pie and Whitney is making a Lemon Pie with Meringue. It is her grandma’s recipe, but she is switching it up with the meringue.

Brian is the male Martha Stewart and loves cooking and cleaning on his down time! He is making a Pecan Pie with Bourbon on The American Baking Competition Season 1. Paul said the insertion of alcohol is good in a pie, but don’t put too much. He hurt his knee before the show began, so he is on crutches. Paul said he hopes he doesn’t use that as an excuse.

Elaine is making her mom’s recipe, Peach Cobbler Pie. She said she doesn’t have the time constraints at home, so feeling a little stressed right now. She is disappointed in her pie and it looks like an amateur made it. Francine makes nothing low-calorie and is using bacon in her pie! She is making Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie. She introduces chocolate-covered bacon to Paul Hollywood on American Baking Competition 2013!

The pies are going in the oven and the pressure is on, as they hope it all works out. Marcela said you should not rely on the recipe and you should rely on instinct. You need to sit and watch the pie. Elaine doesn’t think she is going to have her pie done in time!

Carlo has a dream of owning his own bakery and he is Italian, so he admits they tend to over-decorate! He is making an Italian Easter Pie.

The time runs out on The American Baking Competition 2013 and the judges start tasting. Carlo is first and Paul said it is a little busy. Marcela said she doesn’t appreciate the texture of the ricotta in it. For James, they are surprised by high it is. Marcela loves the crust and it reminds Paul of his Mom’s pie.

For Whitney, Paul said it was soggy and Marcela needed more of the lemon flavor. For Kolette, Marcela said it is incredibly rich, but the flavors are great. For Brian, Paul said the bourbon is too strong. For Elaine, Paul said the execution is poor and Marcela said there is too much liquid. For Jeremy, Paul said it is a bit simple and needs to be decorated. Marcela said she is just getting nutmeg. For Francine, Paul said he absolutely adores that and that upsets him a lot! Francine is on cloud 43,000 because Paul liked her pie!

Time for the next bake and they will be given the same ingredients, but a limited amount of resources to bake it. The judges leave, so they will come in and not know who made what. They are making, what Jeff Foxworthy calls, a Meat Pie. The recipe is from Paul Hollywood himself! They have ingredients, but no clue on how to make it and how much of each to use.

Effie is a full-time attorney and full-time mom, so baking is her balance. She is a type=A personality, so the chaos is killing her! The bakers are all struggling with the crust and how to make it properly. Kolette is a diabetic, so she can’t eat any of the sweets she makes!

They have 15 minutes left and Jeff Foxworthy is smelling something burning! Carlo forgot to put a pan under his pie, so it is dripping over and burning in the oven. The time is running out and the dough is not cooked through for Darlene. They present their pies and the judges come back in.

For Darlene, the pastry is far too thick. Marcela said the dough is great, but too thick. For Effie, she has a soggy bottom. Kolette has a soggy bottom also and Marcela said to make everything the same size, so they cook evenly. For Francine, they think she has a good consistency. Brian has a good look to it and color. For Whitney, Marcela said it is quite bland. James’ filling is overcooked. They said Elaine’s was perfectly seasoned.

The rankings, from worst to best: Carlo, Darlene, James, Whitney, Effie, Kolette, Jeremy, Francine, Elaine and Brian. He is happy that he got first place. Whitney is not happy since she did not do well on either of the bakes!

It is a new day on The American Baking Competition 2013 and time for the third and final bake: The Showstopper. They must make 36 sweet tartlets! They have three hours to complete them.

Francine will make Chocolate Cherry Tartlets. Carlo will be making Calabrese “Pite” Tartlets, which has flavors inspired by Italy. Marcela thinks it is dangerous to use so many ingredients in one bite. Whitney is having issues rolling out the dough thin enough for the tartlets.

Brian is making Raspberry and Chocolate Tartlets. Elaine makes Lemon Ginger Tartlets. Jeremy makes Blueberry, Kiwi and Mango Tartlets. He burns the bottom of his filling, so he must remake it! Why must they make 36 tartlets when the judges will eat one??? It is all about presentation and having them all consistent.

The time is running out and they are all struggling to get all 36 done. The time is up and Jeremy has half-done tartlets!

Time to judge the final bakes and Francine is first. Marcela said it reminds her of the chocolate-covered cherries. For Carlo, Paul said it is far too dark and looks like tar in the shell. For Darlene, Marcela said they all need to look the same and Paul thinks it is lovely. For Kolette, the presentation is lacking. They enjoyed the simplicity of the filling for Whitney. The filling is perfect for Effie. Paul said he may have broke a tooth on the pastry for Brian. For Elaine, Paul wants to take her home with him because that tartlet was special! For Jeremy, Marcela can’t find one that is finished. Paul tells him time management is critical!

The judges now discuss the three bakes and the ten amateur bakers to determine the Star Baker and who is going home! Possible Star Baker: Elaine, Francine and Brian. Possibly going home: Whitney, Brian and Carlo. They have decided and the Star Baker this week on American Baking Competition Season 1 is Francine! The baker that is going home this week on American Baking Competition 2013 is Carlo. Jeremy is shocked, but are you?

Join us next week on Reality Rewind for our American Baking Competition 2013 Recap! Let’s watch together and see who went home on American Baking Competition Season 1! Subscribe to our Email and RSS or like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for all our latest updates.