Scrummy delights this week include Meredith's delightful cauliflower soup and an almost forgotten oatmeal cream pie that Alison enjoyed.  We rapped a while about halloween and how the world is cruel to Alison and Sheldon by stealing the few foods that they enjoy on the reg.   Note:  Episode spoilers below! Pastry week is something they do every year, so everyone should be well prepared.  Well... so much for that idea.  They kick off with Vol-au-vents.  Normally a savory pie, the judges asked for something sweet.  Key to the rough pastry shells is work fast and keep it cold or you lose that fluffiness.  Many failed... a lot of leaking butter and flat pastry.  Many mistakes among the the baking.  We discuss Sandro a lot as he really is a good baker...but he continuously bakes for "validation" and loses focus on what's important.  He clamors for handshakes and it's costing him.   One of the bakers right of the gate was baking with no confidence.  We surmise that this just isn't a week that plays for their strength and they capitulate to it.  Sabirya was really the only one that delivered... and even that was "eh" We all agree we would have loved to have seen Kevin and James in this week -  We think this would have played well to their strengths. Prue picked "spiring rolls" as the Technical... but they were truly more like egg rolls in the US.  Spring roll wrappers aren't bubbly like they wanted.  We all felt that some of the 29 ingredients were a bit weird... those mushrooms... we think "wood ear" were odd, and one baker just over did it... Another baker barely filled their spring rolls leading them to be last after an already bad signature. The showstopper was 3D Pie Stories.  A couple of people took on the Very Hungry Caterpillar.  One who had done very well until then, created a giant meatball like thing for the head...awful looking crust and WAY too much meat.  The poor showing put them on the chopping block risk when Paul declared they "it is as tough as old boots".  A Treasure Island design kept a fairway baker safe, while using traditional crust with a very nicely filled and tasty pie elevated a familiar face to Star.  Too much freestyling and poor execution on a risky proposition sent a baker home.   Semi-finals next week!!!! Scored: Alison:  25 Mere: 32 Sheldon: 11