Great British Baking Show
If you're as into the holiday season as I am, you've probably learned you have to pace yourself! You can't listen to the holiday radio station 24/7 and plug in a Christmas movie every day (especially if you started pre-Thanksgiving) or you'll reach a holiday overload before the 25th!! When I need to change-up my viewing options, I'm turning on The Great British Baking Show. Now, I know this will shock everyone, but I've actually never watched entire seasons of this cozy PBS series, just episodes here and there. I turned on collection two on Netflix the other week and now I exist in a delightful world of biscuits, tea cakes and Swiss rolls. Mentally, I'm in a tent in Somerset, and my biggest concern is whether or not I let my dough proof long enough. There isn't anything overtly holiday-like about The Great British Baking Show (unless you watch the holiday edition, which I'm planning on adding into my rotation next), but something about the friendly nature of the show, the British accents and the fact that now that it's winter, all I want to do is bake food and then eat it, makes the show feel like a holiday staple. The competition is both calm and intense in its own way -- I find myself getting nervous as the technical challenges are ranked and as they slice open a cake to see if the layers are even. As you can tell from that low-stakes rundown, the tension on the show is all in moderation. At its heart, the contestants want to win but they're adorably supportive as they go through their baking journeys together. They call their family members when they win star baker. They cry when other contestants are let go. And because they're all amateur bakers and not professionals, they all have day jobs and genuinely enjoy baking as a hobby. They go about their regular lives during the week and come to the tent on the weekend. They have good weeks and bad weeks. All of this means they tug at your heartstrings more than a typical reality competition, so by the end of it all, you feel like you're watching distant friends. The hosts (I can only speak for the original ones, Mel and Sue) crack corny jokes, rush around providing the contestants an extra pair of hands on occasion and always send the departing baker off with a hug. Paul and Mary (the judges) provide stern but encouraging feedback. And the British baked goods they tackle through the signature, technical and showstopper challenges are extensive, meaning they provide inspiration and intrigue if you're not as familiar with European classics. If you're looking for some cozy holiday inspiration... on your marks, get set, watch people BAKE!
For additional coziness
If you're looking for baking inspiration: King Arthur Baking Company has put together a comprehensive holiday guide. Try something new this season!
If you like recipes from The Smitten Kitchen: Read more about the woman behind it all: Chef Deb Perelman.
If you want to read about a comedian who bakes: Demi Adejuyigbe (a former host of the Gilmore Guys podcast and current writer for the Amber Ruffin Show) has been baking during the pandemic to feel a sense of accomplishment. I can relate. He details his week in baking for Grub Street.
If you wonder where holiday movies are filmed: Spoiler alert: it's Canada.
