Review of The Great British Baking Show

I heard the programme mentioned many times from various sources, including an appearance from three contestant of a series on Big Fat Quiz of the Year, you could consider both a reality and talent show, and one I am really happy I started watching. Every series twelve or above contestants are chosen to take part in the competition to find the best amateur baker, the prize for the winner is a special cake serving dish, but more than anything they win pride and the opportunity to go on to do whatever baking related career they want, e.g. open their own shop, do presentations, make recipe books. The show is presented by comedian double-act Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins, and the judges throughout the competition are cookery writer and National Television Award nominated Mary Berry and professional baker Paul Hollywood. The amateur bakers are given three challenges each episode related to whatever they are making, these are: cakes, biscuits and traybakes, bread, puddings, pastry, pies and tarts, desserts, patisserie, sweet dough, European cakes, advanced dough and more. The three challenges consist of: the Signature Challenge - the amateur bakers show off their tried-and- tested recipes for bakes they might make for their friends and family; the Technical Challenge - the bakers are given the same recipe for a bake, with all ingredients, but minimal instructions, e.g. time amounts, this is judged blind and ranked from worst to best; and the Showstopper Challenge - the bakers show off their skills and talent with a bake that is of professional appearance and outstanding in taste. It is a fantastic show, with spin-off series An Extra Slice, and has inspired many competitions related to everyday hobbies and interests, e.g. The Great British Sewing Bee, The Big Painting Challenge. It won the BAFTA for Best Features, and it was nominated the Audience Award (TV) three times, and it won the National Television Award for Most Popular Skills Challenge Shows, and it was nominated for Most Popular Factual Entertainment Programme. Very good!