One of the shows that I’ve watched on repeat during the pandemic is The Great British Baking Show. I love baking so this show is right up my alley.
I’ve watched all the seasons available on Netflix, including the holiday specials and the Masterclasses. I love the bad puns by the hosts, I love when a contestant gets a handshake from Paul, and I love all the baking disasters.
And even though I’ve watched all the available episodes many times, I still have some lingering questions:
What is up with the crazy weather?
I looked it up online and found out that, from seasons 5-10 (which are the seasons available on Netflix), the show was filmed at a home called Welford Park in Newbury, Berkshire. For the most recent 2020 season (season 11), the filming location was moved to Down Hall Hotel in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire. Now, I’ve never been to southern England (where according to a map both of these locations are) but from what I can tell from the show, the weather is extremely inclement there. In one episode, it will be pouring rain and everyone is wearing jackets and scarves and then the next week will be the hottest day of the year. I find this bizarre. I understand that the weather can change, but it seems like it fluctuates so much on this show.
What is the point of having the contestants wear the same clothes over the course of an episode?
I think everyone knows that each episode covers a span of two days. The contestants clearly discuss how they did yesterday or what they are going to do tomorrow. I guess I just don’t understand the reasoning behind wearing the same clothes (and the same hairstyle and jewelry) on both days. It’s not a secret that each episode consists of two days. Plus, I’ve always wondered if everyone is allowed to wash their clothes in between wearing them. What if one of the contestants spills food all over what they are wearing?
How big is the electricity bill and how do they get so much electricity out to the tent?
There must be so many generators and extension cords that are going to that tent to be able to keep everyone’s appliances going. You figure each contestant has their own stove, multiple mixers, and bread warmers. There are refrigerator/freezes along the sides of the tent, as well as microwaves in the back. Plus, all of the crew has to be able to run their equipment. I just can’t imagine what the electricity bill looks like.
What happens to the leftovers?
I love the challenges where each baker has to make 24 cinnamon rolls and then Paul and Prue (or Paul and Mary depending on which season you are watching) come by and eat one. What happens to the leftover food? Do the contestants get to eat it? Does the crew get to eat it? What if it is not great (as some are)? Does it get thrown out? Does the production even provide catering since everyone can just eat what the contestants make that day? What if someone just happens to be a visitor on the day they are filming – can they eat the leftover food (asking for a friend)?
How do the bakers know so much about all the different bakes they are asked to create?
Look, I know about bread. And I know about brownies and cake and cookies. But some of these bakes the contestants are asked to bake I’ve never even heard of, such as steamed pudding, choux buns, tarte Tatin, Battenberg cake, and mille-feuille. Do the contestants already know what these things are or do they have to look them up? I’m just curious because every contestant seems as if they are so knowledgeable.
And what exactly is sponge?
Even though I’ve watched all the episodes more than once, I still don’t know what sponge is. Is it just a British way of saying cake? Is it cake but made with different ingredients? All I know is that they keep saying sponge and I keep thinking of that squishy thing you use to clean your dishes.
How many pairs of glasses does Prue have?
If only I had as many pairs of glasses as Prue.
For at least the past year, when my mother and I would share screen habits and recommendations, she has been trying her level hardest to convince me that I should check out the The Great British Baking Show. the matter is that i simply don’t watch that much tv so I was really reluctant to branch off into cooking programs but finally one of my boys and his mom, so fed up with my stubborn hesitation and repeated halfhearted avowals to my mom that I would once and for all check TGBBS out just for her sake, finally watched it for me by proxy and they quite enjoyed it. i even peeked a few times and found it quite entertaining and learned a few cool things.
And it really would be interesting to know what they do with the leftovers 🙂
I’m so curious about the leftovers!!! And yes, I always learn something new whether it’s a new dessert I’ve never heard of or a reason a certain ingredient is needed in a recipe.