19 behind-the-scenes secrets from the hit 'Great British Baking Show' revealed

Megan Willett-Wei

2016-02-10T00:47:00Z

For those who may not know, “The Great British Baking Show” is a somewhat new (to us) hit TV show that airs on BBC1 and PBS.

Many Americans are just now finding out about the six-seasons-old program thanks to Netflix and Amazon, which currently have one season of the show online.

Inspired by village baking competitions, “The Great British Baking Show” — or “The Great British Bake Off” as it’s known across the pond — is among the most-watched shows in the UK and is catching on quickly with American audiences.

Why? Because it's just so bloody nice. The contestants genuinely like each other, everyone is supportive, and even the judges are encouraging, offering words of advice or warning.

In short: It's the exact opposite of all the overly scripted American food competition shows.

Keep reading to see 21 behind-the-scenes secrets of “The Great British Baking Show.”

There are 12 contestants each season and they all must be amateur bakers, which means they have no past experience as a chef, professional baker, or caterer.

Source: Country Living UK

They are put through a rigorous application process, including a seven-page application form, phone calls with researchers and producers, multiple auditions in London — including an on-screen technical challenge — and an interview by a psychologist to make sure they’re up for filming.

Source: Baking Martha and Telegraph

It’s an expensive application process when you consider the ingredients, tools, and sheer time needed to apply, not to mention travel expenses to and from London.

The 12 finalists are told all of the season’s challenges after they’re officially selected. The challengers must create their ideas before the show airs and send them back to the producers for approval.

Source: Muffin Impossible

Each show spans a weekend so the contestants can keep their weekly schedules, though they are encouraged to practice their bakes throughout the week.

Source: What Kate Baked

Saturday is for the signature bakes and technical challenge while Sunday is for the show-stopper recipes. The contestants wear the same clothes for both days of filming for continuity, and can’t wear logos or stripes.

Source: Birmingham Mail

Filming can sometimes last up to 16 hours a day, starting at 9 a.m. The long hours bond the contestants, who will often go to dinner and drinks after filming.

Source: Telegraph and Brendan Bakes

The show is filmed over a 10-week period from April to June and has been filmed in various locations around England.

Source: Telegraph

Each morning, the technical team bakes a Victoria sponge in each of the bakers’ ovens to make sure the equipment is working properly.

Source: Birmingham Mail

There’s also a food researcher to make sure the challenges are achievable as well as food producers and runners to help out if a contestant needs more ingredients or help in any way.

Source: Birmingham Mail

The show requires each contestant to let someone know when they’re about to take something in or out of the oven to make sure everything is filmed.

Source: Birmingham Mail

The hosts of the show are a British comedy duo named Mel Gledroyc and Sue Perkins. They both went to the University of Cambridge together and started their double act in the ‘90s.

Source: Independent

They help keep the contestants calm, talk about how great the baking is, and are always on hand for some terrible (and delightful) puns, usually involving male anatomy.

The first judge to be hired for the show was Mary Berry, 80, who is known as the “queen of cakes” in England. She’s a beloved cook and food writer; the British Martha Stewart.

Source: The Guardian

She also took second place for The Guardian’s 2013 “50 best-dressed over-50s.”

Source: The Guardian

Her judging partner is Paul Hollywood. He’s an artisanal baker who grew up working in his father’s bakery.

He’s also a race car driver!

Source: Beechdean Motorsport

Though Mary and Paul keep their emotional distance from the bakers, Mel and Sue become very close with them, even staying in touch after the season is over.

Source: The Guardian

Once Mary, Paul, Mel, and Sue have all had a chance to try the bakes, the bakers and 50-odd crew members get to dig in. Any leftovers are given to the cast in baskets to take back home.

Source: Birmingham Mail

There’s only been one controversy in the show’s six seasons — “#bingate” — when a contestant's Baked Alaska was accidentally left out of the freezer to melt. The BBC even had to issue a statement about the controversial episode.

Source: Mirror UK

After all this, the winner doesn’t receive money or even a cookbook deal, but a single cake stand that says “The Great British Baking Show,” plus some flowers. Worth it.

TV Netflix

19 behind-the-scenes secrets from the hit 'Great British Baking Show' revealed

There are 12 contestants each season and they all must be amateur bakers, which means they have no past experience as a chef, professional baker, or caterer.

They are put through a rigorous application process, including a seven-page application form, phone calls with researchers and producers, multiple auditions in London — including an on-screen technical challenge — and an interview by a psychologist to make sure they’re up for filming.

It’s an expensive application process when you consider the ingredients, tools, and sheer time needed to apply, not to mention travel expenses to and from London.

The 12 finalists are told all of the season’s challenges after they’re officially selected. The challengers must create their ideas before the show airs and send them back to the producers for approval.

Each show spans a weekend so the contestants can keep their weekly schedules, though they are encouraged to practice their bakes throughout the week.

Saturday is for the signature bakes and technical challenge while Sunday is for the show-stopper recipes. The contestants wear the same clothes for both days of filming for continuity, and can’t wear logos or stripes.

Filming can sometimes last up to 16 hours a day, starting at 9 a.m. The long hours bond the contestants, who will often go to dinner and drinks after filming.

The show is filmed over a 10-week period from April to June and has been filmed in various locations around England.

Each morning, the technical team bakes a Victoria sponge in each of the bakers’ ovens to make sure the equipment is working properly.

There’s also a food researcher to make sure the challenges are achievable as well as food producers and runners to help out if a contestant needs more ingredients or help in any way.

The show requires each contestant to let someone know when they’re about to take something in or out of the oven to make sure everything is filmed.

The hosts of the show are a British comedy duo named Mel Gledroyc and Sue Perkins. They both went to the University of Cambridge together and started their double act in the ‘90s.

They help keep the contestants calm, talk about how great the baking is, and are always on hand for some terrible (and delightful) puns, usually involving male anatomy.

The first judge to be hired for the show was Mary Berry, 80, who is known as the “queen of cakes” in England. She’s a beloved cook and food writer; the British Martha Stewart.

She also took second place for The Guardian’s 2013 “50 best-dressed over-50s.”

Her judging partner is Paul Hollywood. He’s an artisanal baker who grew up working in his father’s bakery.

He’s also a race car driver!

Though Mary and Paul keep their emotional distance from the bakers, Mel and Sue become very close with them, even staying in touch after the season is over.

Once Mary, Paul, Mel, and Sue have all had a chance to try the bakes, the bakers and 50-odd crew members get to dig in. Any leftovers are given to the cast in baskets to take back home.

There’s only been one controversy in the show’s six seasons — “#bingate” — when a contestant's Baked Alaska was accidentally left out of the freezer to melt. The BBC even had to issue a statement about the controversial episode.

After all this, the winner doesn’t receive money or even a cookbook deal, but a single cake stand that says “The Great British Baking Show,” plus some flowers. Worth it.

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