Lauren Wilkins
After the shock departure of fan-favourite Jürgen Krauss, the upcoming final of The Great British Bake Off is all to bake for. But just what makes the show so great? Grab your rolling pin and fasten your apron because I am going to tell you why The Great British Bake Off really is best thing since sliced bread.
The Proof Is In The Pudding
Debuted in 2010, the show has definitely risen to the occasion. With the culinary drama, hilarious memes and bakes that leave you salivating on your sofa, there is no surprise that it has broken ratings records and won a raft of awards. The success of the Bake Off has licensed for home-baked productions in 35 countries and more than 1,500 episodes have been made across the world, featuring 1,300 bakers (now that is a lot of cake).The proof really is in the pudding.
“the highs and lows, the optimism and the nerves, we are at the forefront of the baking bonanza.”
If you haven’t heard of the show then have you been for the last ten years? To keep it short and sweet: the reality series is the ultimate baking battle in which home bakers go head to head to produce intricate cakes, pastries, and desserts under the watchful eye of judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith. Paul’s piercing blue eyes never fail to impart scepticism when bakers head off on the wrong track and Prue’s gloriously gaudy outfits (which I personally think are to distract the bakers) are always iconic. Alongside the comedic duo of Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas, the chemistry between the four enhances the appeal of the show by adding a touch of intimacy and has proven to be a recipe for success.
Each episode goes above and beyond to make you feel involved in every part of the process – the highs and lows, the optimism and the nerves, we are at the forefront of the baking bonanza. The melodramatic music aids the gripping narrative which will have you on the edge of your seat, screaming at your television whilst the bakers stare desperately into the deep void of their ovens, or leaving us crying over the next Hollywood handshake.
“Who could forget the infamous ‘Bingate’ scandal, when the Bake Off tent turned into an episode of East Enders“
Innuendos
There is never a dull moment in the Bake Off tent, especially with the illimitable innuendos that will have you almost spitting out your tea as you watch. This began when former judge Mary Berry coined the, now ubiquitous, term “soggy bottom” back in the first series. Since then, the snowball effect has been in full force as the innuendos have got filthier by the episode and we Brits love it. Only Bake Off could use the phrase: “It’s got to be risen and rested before it goes in,” prior to the watershed and get away with it.
Bin-gate!
Some of the most iconic Bake Off moments were when things went completely wrong (and I’m not talking about the move from the BBC to Channel 4), which is, perhaps, proof that we all love to indulge in schadenfreude every once in a while. Who could forget the infamous ‘Bin-gate’ scandal, when the Bake Off tent turned into an episode of East Enders after Diana removed Iain’s Baked Alaska from the freezer causing it to melt and him to dramatically bin it. Nevertheless, the bakers genuinely seem to like and root for each other which is what differs it from other competitive TV shows and makes it so endearing. This is exactly what the programme is all about – positivity in the face of utter mayhem and camaraderie that we just wouldn’t get to witness without things going disastrously wrong.
“there are so many different flavours inspired by so many different backgrounds”
Bake Off’s success is possibly the best modern example of the UK’s soft power and the nation’s ability to create a positive impression abroad. On the surface it appears to embody the quintessentially British stereotype but it brings so much more to the table – it represents Britain today. The amalgamation of bakers from all walks of life is what makes the show so special. From a nuclear engineer and a mum of four to a philosophy student and a Yorkshire Nan in her seventies, there are so many different flavours inspired by so many different backgrounds.
“Exactly what the nation kneads”
We exist in a world where the words ‘Great’ and ‘British ’are not often found in conjunction with one another but Bake Off makes that possible. It celebrates what makes Britain great, the baking, the humour but above all – the people. The wholesomeness of the show exudes a warm, comforting hug on a Tuesday evening, which is exactly what the nation kneads.
Who Will Win?!
So, will it be Chigs, Crystelle or Giuseppe who will take home the coveted cake stand? Let’s just hope Prue doesn’t get too carried away and expose the winner ahead of the final again.
You can watch the Great British Bake Off Final on Tuesday 23rd November at 8pm on Channel 4.
If you want more comfort shows to make you cosy this winter, check out this article!
Featured image courtesy of Lauren Gray on Unsplash. Image license found here. No changes were made to the image.
