What is it? The Great British Baking Show, Seasons 1-3, 10 episodes on three discs each from PBS
When? Now
How much? $19.99 each
Is this a how-to series? Not exactly. It's a competition, similar in some ways to series like the Food Network's various baking challenges. A group of bakers (12-13 in this case) is gathered together to compete in themed challenges, with one under-performing baker eliminated each week until a winner is declared.
In this case, the bakers, with a wide range of ages and backgrounds, must bake their best in a big tent, supervised by comic hosts Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc and critiqued by judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood (both well-known on that side of the Atlantic).
Every episode has three challenges: a signature bake, in which the bakers produce a baked good they've (hopefully) practiced; technical challenge, where they have to use their knowledge, skill and instincts to fumble their way through a bare-bones recipe with minimal instruction; and a showstopper, or impressive creation intended to show off their skills.
Themes include cakes, breads, pies, sweet doughs, scones and patisserie.
The bakers are all amateurs but their talents and skills are truly impressive.
One can pick up some baking tips by watching and listening to the bakers and judges, explaining, for instance, why a Swiss roll must be rolled while it's still warm or why it's important to add fruit to a tea loaf after the first rise.
The contestants are (mostly) charming and talented. The hosts are genial and quick with British wit and the judges are knowledgeable and tough, but fair. The show works in information about many types of baked goods, their history and the tricks of the trade without making it sound like boring exposition.
It can be a tense show, and emotions sometimes do get the better of people, British stiff upper lips aside. The overall effect is entertaining and informative.
Just watch with snacks handy.
I thought English food was bad? That's an old cliche. These bakers prove the Brits can be very skilled when it comes to producing complex dishes, and most of the results are mouth-watering.
This is an English show, of course, and a demonstration in how sometimes you need a translator even when speaking the same language.
Those not as well-versed in the Queen's English might need to be reminded that when the English say "biscuit," they mean something like our "cookie." And "tray bakes" equal "dessert bars."
Who would be interested in this? Foodies. People who love to watch cooking shows. Anglophiles.
Any extras? None
Style on 05/07/2017