Ep 10. Bring on the Bling

The thrilling culinary competition show, Zumbo's Just Desserts, continues its second season with episode 10, titled "Bring on the Bling." Renowned pastry chef Adriano Zumbo is back to host and judge the latest round of creative and delicious dessert challenges. In "Bring on the Bling," the six remaining contestants must pull out all the stops to impress Zumbo and guest judge, British actress Emily Atack.

The episode begins in the famed Zumbo test kitchen as the contestants read their latest challenge. The judges want bling, and lots of it. Each contestant must create a dessert that sparkles, glitters and shines with edible jewels, gold leaf, or other glittering adornments. Zumbo encourages the bakers to let their imaginations run wild and to think outside the box. He reminds them that the dessert must not only look stunning but should be delicious and inventive as well.

The contestants are given five hours to complete their designs. They race around the kitchen at breakneck speed, mixing, rolling, and chopping ingredients, and executing their designs. Some contestants play it safe, creating elegant and minimalist designs that feature subtle glimmers of gold. Others take a more flamboyant approach, creating towering cakes, glittering cupcakes, and sparkling tarts.

As the clock ticks down, the contestants rush to put the finishing touches on their creations before presenting them to the judges. Zumbo and Atack examine each dessert closely, scrutinizing the visual appeal, taste, and texture. They look for desserts that are stunning but also taste great.

The next round of judging involves the Signature taste test. In this challenge, the contestants must create a dessert inspired by a particular taste sensation. This time the judges have chosen savory and sweet, a classic combination of flavors. Each contestant must create a dessert that balances savory and sweet elements. The desserts must incorporate ingredients such as cheese, bacon, or spices in a sweet treat.

The contestants work quickly to create their dessert, hoping to impress the judges again. Some contestants choose to go the traditional route, creating desserts that balance sweet and savory in subtle ways. Others take more risks, combining bold, unexpected flavors to surprise the judges.

Zumbo and Atack sample each dessert carefully, looking for the perfect balance between sweet and savory. They also look for desserts that showcase creativity, innovation, and technical skill. The judges offer their critiques, praising the standout contestants and offering advice to those who struggled.

At the end of the round, the judges must choose a winning dessert and a losing dessert. The winning dessert earns its creator a spot in the next round of the competition, while the losing dessert puts its creator on the chopping block, facing elimination.

The episode concludes with a team challenge, forcing the contestants to work together to create a large-scale dessert display. The theme for the dessert display is "Bollywood Bling," celebrating the colorful and ornate design of Indian cinema. The contestants work together to create a stunning display of cakes, pies, cupcakes, and other treats, all designed to sparkle, glitter, and shine.

Zumbo and Atack judge the desserts carefully, looking for a cohesive and creative display. The winning team earns immunity, while the losing team must face the finale's elimination challenge.

With only a few episodes left in the season, the competition is heating up. Each episode of Zumbo's Just Desserts brings high stakes, exciting challenges, and mouthwatering desserts. "Bring on the Bling" is no exception, a thrilling episode that pushes the contestants to showcase their creative flair and culinary skill.