Flora's cocoa carousel fails to put judges in a spin in the Great British Bake Off's semi final... but she could be on course for a £150,000 a year career as the next Nigella
She has wowed the judges with her creative creations for nine weeks.
But when it came to the Great British Bake Off's semi final on Wednesday night, 19-year-old Flora Shedden's style over flavour meant she lost out on a place in the BBC One show's grand finale.
While Nadiya Jamir Hussain wowed Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry in chocolate week, earning Star Baker, Flora's over-complicated bakes sent her home, but experts have already predicted that she could be in line for a lucrative cooking career.
Exiting the tent: 19-year-old Flora Shedden's style over flavour meant she lose out on a place in the Great British Bake Off final on Wednesday
With just four bakers left, Flora, Nadiya, Tamal Ray and Ian Cumming, the judges tasked the semi-finalists with three deliciously difficult chocolate challenges.
First up was the Signature, which this week saw the final four creating chocolate tarts. While Ian, who was front of the pack just a few weeks ago with three Star Baker titles in a row, joked his daughter had lost confidence in him ahead of the final, he chose a typically original recipe.
His homegrown bay leaves mixed into a caramel infused tart left Paul disappointed in the 'king of flavour' though.
It's the final countdown: With just four bakers left, Flora, Nadiya, Tamal Ray and Ian Cumming, he judges tasked the semi-finalists with three deliciously difficult chocolate challenges
Tamal meanwhile impressed with his New York Chocolate pie, eventually, while Nadiya's salted caramel, peanut and chocolate mousse creation was the clear favourite with the judges - even earning her a 'lingering' handshake from Paul.
The Signature proved to be Flora's first downfall of the weekend as her Passion Fruit and Chocolate tart didn't do enough to wow, despite an envious Tamal pointing out the 'six billion different elements' the young baker had incorporated.
Flora foreshadowed the judges' criticism when she admitted: 'I should probably be just concentrating on a tart and not venturing into other minefields, but I always do.'
Disappointing: The Signature proved to be Flora's first downfall of the weekend as her Passion Fruit and Chocolate tart didn't do enough to wow
After Paul tore into her macarons, Flora told the camera 'it wasn't a complete disaster, but for a semi final signature it was pretty catastrophic, I mean Nadiya got a handshake.'
The Technical saw the teen redeem herself though, despite a wobbly start to the fiendishly tricky chocolate souffle challenge.
For the first time ever the bakers competed in staggered starts to make the bake in one hour, 15 minutes
Baking fail: After Paul tore into her macarons, Flora told the camera 'it wasn't a complete disaster, but for a semi final signature it was pretty catastrophic'
Here we go again: The Technical saw the teen redeem herself though, despite a wobbly start to the fiendishly tricky chocolate souffle challenge
Flora went first, and after begging the others not to leave her, admitted: 'I have never made a souffle in my life before.'
Luckily for her, neither had the others, with the normally cool and calm Ian experiencing a major meltdown and mind blank over Mary's mysterious recipe.
While Ian hoped for the best, covering his oven as he popped his mixture into bake, Flora couldn't take her eyes off her souffle and Nadiya admitted: 'I would sooner have another baby than go through that again.'
Tricky task: The bakers all admitted they had never made a souffle before
Technical woes: The semi-finalists all struggled with Mary's deliberately bare bones recipe
In the end Flora's souffle impressed with it's strong structure and beautiful bake, earning her first place while Nadiya's unmixed bake saw her drop to bottom.
With the girls both earning top and bottom placings in the first two challenges, and Ian and Tamal sitting precariously in the middle, it was all to play for in the Showstopper which required the semi-finalists to create a 3D chocolate center piece.
Flora admitted 'I think this needs to go brilliantly otherwise I am in a lot of trouble' as she set to work on her cocoa carousel, while Nadiya was busy constructing her elaborate chocolate peacock, after tearfully predicting her exit.
Tearful: In the end Flora's souffle impressed, earning her first place while Nadiya's unmixed bake saw her drop to bottom
One more to go: The Showstopper required the semi-finalists to create a 3D chocolate center piece
Flora seemed to lose her nerve as her normally immaculately finishes were replaced with the 'messiest piping I've ever done in my life.'
Paul and Mary though were impressed with the look of her bake, but not the taste, literally tearing into the carousel as they criticised the flavours and crumbling design.
On the other end of the scale was Nadiya who wowed once again with her peacock, which Paul gushingly told her was a 'piece of art,' while Mary struck the final blow for Flora's creation by declaring: 'It looks good AND it tastes good.'
Adventorous: Flora admitted 'I think this needs to go brilliantly otherwise I am in a lot of trouble' as she set to work on her cocoa carousel, while Nadiya was busy constructing her elaborate chocolate peacock
As Tamal's biscuit bell tower earned praise, it was between Flora and Ian for the tent exit, as his chocolate well, complete with working bucket, failed to do enough to earn him another Star Baker title.
In the end Flora lost out, as Mary pointed out her flavours just didn't match up to her style. 'I am gutted of course I am,' a tearful Flora admitted but added: 'I feel very privileged to get this far.'
It's unlikely to be the end of the young baker's career in the spotlight though as experts predict she could be on course for a £150,000-a year career.
Not in a spin: Paul and Mary though were impressed with the look of her bake, but not the taste, literally tearing into the carousel as they criticised the flavours and crumbling design
Flora already has 12,000 followers on Twitter, as well as an online blog which she regularly updates with recipes. And building on this profile could be the key to her future success.
Talent agent Tony Fitzpatrick said: Miss Shedden could do very well - she will have publishing opportunities. She should feel cheated if she's not making £150,000 a year.
'If she plays her cards right she could be set for the rest of her life.'
He added that her perceived 'poshness' - Miss Shedden has mentioned having an Aga at home - could also benefit her. 'It will make her stand out,' he said. 'Nigella Lawson hasn't done badly out of it has she?'
Going home: In the end Flora lost out, as Mary pointed out her flavours just didn't match up to her style
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3255355/Great-British-Bake-Flora-s-wonky-cocoa-carousel-fails-Paul-Hollywood-Mary-Berry-youngest-contestant-exits-semi-final.html#ixzz3nJ30yha9
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