Why I love The Great British Bake Off

It will come as no surprise that I’m a big Bake Off fan.

I know, right. Who’d’ve thought it? 

I joined the millions of viewers last night as the nation tuned in and collectively held its breath. We saw Steph’s soufflés slopping and Alice fighting back the tears, but it was David who, despite dousing his chocolate cake in enough Armagnac to take even Prue’s breath away, took the win this time around.

The show has become a bit of national treasure. But what makes Bake Off such a brilliant show with an enduring appeal?

I can only speak for myself, but here is why I love Bake Off.

It’s about baking

It’s obvious, I know, but what’s not to love about a show that’s about cakes, pies, biscuits, pastries and bread? These bakes are being whipped up by people like you and me, not those cheffy know-it-alls.

Every week there’s something new. We’re learning as they learn. There are classic cakes, historic bakes and recipes raked from the corners of the globe that we’ve never seen before. It’s inspired a nation of home bakers to have a go.

It’s family entertainment

There aren’t many shows where we all get together around the telly. I’m grateful Bake Off is one of the exceptions. We all like it. It makes us laugh, shout at the TV and raid the kitchen hoping for some cake to magically appear.

It’s peppered with wit, laced with innuendoed pantomime humour and jam-packed with information about food.

We can all relate to it

However they pick and sort through their applicants, the resulting selection offers an interesting mix of characters of all ages. From the nanna that makes those much-loved family favourites to the young lad who looks like he’s never baked before in his life, there are people we can all relate to because they’re like us or people we know.

These regular people are pouring their hearts into their bakes and we get to share in their triumphs and failures. We feel sorry for their soggy bottoms. We praise their pert buns. We empathise with their baking ups and downs. We scream at the judges’ wrong decisions (ahem, Manon series 9, Henry series 10).

The judges and presenters are brilliant

They make a great team. There’s Sandi with her sharp wit and Noel with his inane natter, making a slightly troublesome twosome that balance perfectly with the culinary knowledge and skill of Prue and Paul.

And thankfully, the hallowed “Hollywood Handshakes” have made less of an appearance this season as quite frankly, they were getting out of hand.

The presentation of the show

Even though the show went through a change of presenters (and channels!), it’s kept its classic format. From the opening sequence and title music, through to the tent and food illustrations, the show fundamentally stays the same each year. Although, I do miss Mel and Sue’s food history features.

So that’s it for another year, bereft after Bake Off and trying not to console myself with cake.