Ah yes, it's been that time of year again. Bake Off mania has once again gripped the nation as twelve new amateur bakers of all different shapes, sizes and sorts entered that hallowed tent in an attempt to become a baking master.
We've had the variety, we've had the ups and downs, the hilarity, the familiar, the fresh, the sterling bakes and the not so sterling bakes. All wrapped up and served upon a gingham altar to provide a Bake Off that surely provides a very entertaining bit of telly.
This year, Bake Off moved to the prime time as it was upgraded from BBC Two to BBC One. Not only was this yet another testament to the show's success, but it also meant the stakes and expectations were raised just that tad bit higher, and thankfully by and large, this latest series did not disappoint.
Unlike the more care-free, playful versions and spin-offs of Bake Off (e.g. for the latest Sport Relief version - see my BLOG ARCHIVE) this was the show in its original format, meaning competition and lots of it. No one-offs, and no celebrities donning a pinny; this is the true version of Bake Off for amateurs, though very skilled amateurs, to prove that they are the best. Consequentially (and also I suspect to increase ratings) the feelings of drama and tension were intensified. I have no doubt that this was almost ever-present for the twelve individuals in question as per every series (though they did also seem to be having a good deal of fun too) yet to me as a viewer there were times when the range of dramatics got a bit silly. I will credit the producers in that they did blur the lines quite well between real life and potential "dramatic realism", i.e. staged moments to draw in the BBC One viewers of a Wednesday evening. I can think of no better example of this than "bin-gate" which occurred a few weeks in. Bake Off fans will instantly know what I mean by this, and all I will say is - if this really did happen as it was shown then it it was bound to create immediate dislike for a couple of the bakers and producers of the show, and if it did not - then just dislike for the producers.
Despite moments of potential controversy, there was still plenty to appreciate about this year's Great British Bake Off. Contestant-wise there was a plethora of positives, from down-right lovable oddities like Jordan and Norman, those you just love to hate like Enwezor, and fantastic newly-discovered gems like Chetna and Martha (who was my favourite to win for a good while FYI). All of these boiling down to the three finalists - Luis from Stockport who was a creative powerhouse, humble and hugely talented Richard (who was my favourite finalist) and (SPOILER ALERT!) eventual winner Nancy, who for me was surely talented but persona wise was not the best of the bunch (at least so it seemed to come across on TV). Most of all this is my opinion of course, but that is part of what is great about the Bake Off contestants every series; you are always guaranteed a variety and inevitably, the more you watch them the more you become invested in their collective and individual journey.
We were also treated to other regular elements that have been ever-present, and that have only ever got better from day one. Judges Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry returned of course with their signature brand of expertise, chemistry and charm. Though there were a quite a few baking flops (it is a competition don't forget!) we were still treated to the ever delightful and delicious standard on the opposite end of the scale. Plus real stand outs for me this year were presenters Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc, who not only presented the show to us, but who also churned out a non-stop bombardment of hilarious double entendres and cracking one-liners, served with lashings of scintillating sass.
Indeed, Bake Off has done it again for 2014. Whatever expectations or standards that were set, or even raised seem to have been satisfied as once more legions across the nation have tuned in to watch, and to once more take The Great British Bake Off to heart.
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