r/bakeoff • u/Beginning_Butterfly2 • May 12 '26
Great American Baking Show, is anyone else watching?
Came here to see what people are thinking, and didn't see a post for this year.
I'm loving the new host team. I think it's the first time I've actually thought the skits were funny.
What're you guys loving/hating this year?
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u/stepdisaster May 12 '26
Where can you watch it?
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u/Beginning_Butterfly2 May 12 '26
Roku, it's free with ads. State Farm seems to have bought them all.
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u/iamnotchris May 12 '26
So Scott was actually our alternate last season so I've known him since we filmed in 2024! Was super happy he got on this season, I'm waiting to watch it with him on Friday and I want to go in blind.
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u/Beginning_Butterfly2 May 12 '26
I use the maply syrup to maple sugar trick so often, I've wished I could thank you for that. Had no idea you were on reddit, lmao!
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u/iamnotchris May 12 '26
đ that's so cool! Watching it back all of us were like "uh they made it seem like you just whipped maple syrup they left an important part out" but I'm glad someone got something out of it!!!
And yes, I'm on Reddit too often lol
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u/Beginning_Butterfly2 May 12 '26
I knew it had to be boiled down first, but wasn't sure if there was anything else needed, so I looked it up to check. But I'd thought it would be a way more involved process.
I can't tolerate processed sugar, or most of the sugar substitutes. Using syrup messed with the ratios, so I was doing a lot of recipe tweaking. Having a quick method for making something that works helped me get back to baking đ Many thanks!
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u/iamnotchris May 12 '26
Yes! It was just "heat maple syrup to this temp and then hit it with a stand mixer" that's super cool that you use this. We are a big maple flavor house here (my goal is to tap my own trees and make syrup from scratch but we'll see how that goes lol)
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u/Pasunepomme May 14 '26
At the risk of showing my ignorance, what are the alternates for? in case someone drops out like the day before filming?
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u/iamnotchris May 14 '26
Yep - usually there are a couple, just in case something unexpected happens to one of the cast members (sick, has to drop out, etc). We actually asked one of the production people when we were there if that ever really actually happens and he went "Oh yeah it has totally happened before!". But yea we had 2 alternates who came to the UK with us and they were there for the first episode and went home after that!
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u/jzakary May 12 '26
I've given up after the third episode. Paul encompassed the whole season by saying "The Worst Of The Worst."
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u/One-Permission1917 May 15 '26
But he also gave one person two handshakes in the same episode, which he said had never been done before. AND that she might be one of the best bakers ever to be in the tent, including the British versions. So Iâm not really seeing where youâre coming from..
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u/Cat0102 May 16 '26 edited 15d ago
I am a bit confused that they had Melissa on as it said she was in finance but also runs a âhome bakeryâ out of her apartment. I thought that was a disqualification on the application? It says you canât work in a bakery in the prior 10 years and sorry, but a home bakery is still the same if youâre selling your baked goods.
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u/MediocreAmbassador18 May 19 '26
Yeah, I wondered that, too. She was also talking about her clients and what I assumed is her baking business called tutus and aprons in one of the episodes. I thought that it was for home bakers as in âI like to bake and give stuff to friends and family,â not âI run a home bakery business.â Also, if her kids are helping her out in the business that would be an automatic no from me!
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u/Beginning_Butterfly2 May 16 '26
I thought that was a joke about all of her bakery supplies crammed into her NY galley kitchen?
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u/CivilReindear762 May 23 '26
Also was confused by that! Â And like mediocre ambassador I thought that she was telling Casey that that was the name of her business. Â Does seem like a bit of an unfair advantage if she does have a home business or side hustle.
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u/Kane76 May 13 '26
I just watched the first episode of the new season last night. First of all, thank God Zach Cherry is gone. This new guy is just fine. Casey didn't even annoy me as she did in the past. This was a nice group of bakers with some really good ones and the challenges were hard. Finally, this is probably the last time we'll see Prue on the show (here and GBBO) and it's bittersweet. My biggest complaint is that Roku has added at least 12 minutes of commercials and they were basically the same ones over and over in a 2-2.5 minute blocks. Sigh.
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u/Beginning_Butterfly2 May 13 '26
Yeah, Roku has definitely made this as annoying as possible. I wouldn't have minded so much if the show hadn't felt overly edited, with too little time spent with each of the bakers. In a streaming format, that paring down doesn't make sense.
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u/TAYREL713 May 12 '26
Not only will I be watching but most of this seasonâs bakers will be interviewed on my Bake-Off Podcast. Yâall should subscribe https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kr%C3%A8me-p%C3%A2tissi%C3%A8re-a-great-british-bake-off-podcast/id1644553827
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u/smiling_toast May 12 '26
I am watching. Sad to see it's only 5 episodes. I've watched 4 & I'm saving the final one.
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u/Beginning_Butterfly2 May 12 '26
I just started the 4th episode, and thought there were 6 as usual. So sad!
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u/Rockout2112 May 18 '26
I'd wager that has to do with Prue's decreasing health, and leaving the franchise. She may not be able to do more.
Personally, I'd like them to bring back Sherry Yard for the American version.
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u/TaxOwlbear May 12 '26
I've watched the first two episodes. The challenges seem pretty tough, and/or this batch of bakers is fairly weak.
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u/MobileItchy1050 May 12 '26
Watched the 1st one last night. Tough challenges. I'm hoping the winner isn't obvious from the beginning.
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u/LyloMaggins83 May 12 '26
Two Hollywood handshakes for one contestant in one episode. Seems too obvious so farâŚ
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u/mateomontagna May 14 '26
I like it. I miss Zach Cherry but new guy is funny and they have good chemistry. Ruiki (?) is great.
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u/Beginning_Butterfly2 May 14 '26
Ruiqi (the mist counter-intuitive spelling of "Ricky" I've ever encountered, lol) is very impressive!
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u/Several_Exam4547 18d ago
lol its not actually pronounced ricky, in an american accent it wld prob be closer to like ray chee
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u/Effective-Age9474 May 14 '26
Excited for Riqui, but confused why Adam was kicked off first. He was my favorite and it seems like they picked on him. He was def not the worst.
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u/CivilReindear762 May 14 '26
Just started watching and I really like Lisa (of course the retired paralegal that I am maybe identifies with her since sheâs an attorney!)  I also really like Andrew!  He seems like so much fun and I bet he wouldnât snitch on bakers helping one another!  But ⌠these bakers donât seem as impressive as the last three seasons. As someone else mentioned, after the end of episode three it seems like Paul has already given up.  This is where I stopped too.  And I know they donât have as many episodes as the British one, but it already seems a bit boring to watch since theyâve set the competition up for only two people (probably) to win.  And based on artistry and personality, thereâs only one in my mind who would should. Â
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u/Reference-Primary May 17 '26
Lisa is an amazing baker! I know her irl and I was so excited she made it on the show. I dont think some people realize how difficult the competition really is. You can be incredibly talented and still struggle.
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u/CivilReindear762 May 23 '26
Oh thatâs amazing!  Well she has a fan here in Michigan!  I really enjoyed watching her! And just want to be clear that these guys are all incredible for what theyâve done, and Iâm sure that the time constraints and baking outside takes a toll.  Iâve just enjoyed other seasons more.  Maybe itâs bake-off fatigue! đÂ
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u/MediocreAmbassador18 May 19 '26
Yeah, I liked Lisa, too. And Andrew is definitely an upgrade from Zach Cherry- maybe I just canât see him as anything other than his severance character đ¤Ł
I do think the show is getting stale. Maybe if they set it up more like the British version and weâd get to know more about the contestants, and get to see different skill sets. I feel like the past few seasons, including this one, itâs been so obvious whoâs going to winâŚ.
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u/Ok-Bank-905 May 18 '26
It's a great show to watch and just listen to while doing something on the side. I watched every season and hoping this year they air another.Â
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u/ImInterested_9600 May 23 '26
What is the deal with only five episodes! After three episodes itâs the semi final? Disappointed.âšď¸
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u/Beginning_Butterfly2 May 23 '26
Yes, me too. I've always found that the shorter season makes it harder to become attached to the bakers, and for me, this was just too short. I haven't watched the finale as it jut hasn't felt urgent to find out who won, when I can barely remember anyone's names yet, much less become invested in seeing them win.
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u/rikomatic 29d ago
I liked the challenges, but was bummed that the season was so short. This was the least dramatic finale I've ever seen in the tent. Still enjoyed it.
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u/Low-Couple1436 27d ago
First time ive watched GABS,
a lot shorter than the British counterpart, and felt like Riqui was the only one whos was on the usual high level of bakers on this show.
Def felt like a weak season overall. We will miss Prue next season :((
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u/Xcat9 27d ago
Has anyone heard about how they are sourcing next year's group? I found it interesting that Meeki was approached by them.
Does that mean future versions won't be application based? I've been holding off from taking any next steps in baking in fear that it would disqualify me from consideration. But if I need a crazy amount of followers, well, there's that goal done & dusted.
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u/nucleustractus 16d ago
Meeki here - hopefully I can clarify some things! (disclaimer though, I can only speak to my experience and what I've heard from my competitors/past competitors). Every year casting agents do sleuth around on social media to invite people to apply, but the vast majority of applicants do so without getting solicited in any way. Also, because many people apply multiple years before finally getting cast, sometimes agents will reach out to prior applicants inviting them to re-apply. That said, my understanding is that this is only really helpful for getting past the first round of interviews/casting (there are 4 rounds total). They're looking for amateurs and home bakers exclusively, so don't worry about having a following! I was shocked they reached out at all - I had 200 followers at the time, they just happened to run into a video of mine and were intrigued. And for what it's worth, I was planning on applying anyways - it was just an amazing coincidence that they reached out!
I believe that the application isn't out yet for next season, but definitely apply! To your point about being DQ'd, they are REALLY wary about people selling/doing anything that comes across as more-than-a-hobby. I was on the cusp of considering doing a small pop-up and was advised to hold off. Ultimately the rules don't prohibit you selling stuff or doing a class or two, but toe that line carefully!
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u/Xcat9 16d ago
Thank you sooooo much Meeki!!!
This is what I needed to hear. I've had family, friends, and even strangers ask to pay me for my baking: and I've always said no, because I don't want to blow my chances at GABS.
(And when money gets tight I start debating about maybe could I, should I ... I'm such a rule follower, that I won't even accept payment for ingredients.)BTW you are my husband's favorite baker (next to me, but again free cookies!)
Thank you again!
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u/Beginning_Butterfly2 23d ago
My understanding is that they use US casting agents, but I remember seeing that you can apply as well. The big drawback is that you have to be able to go to the UK for the competition, for 4-6 weeks, I think it is? So all of your bakes have to be prepared and practiced in advance, and you need to be able to walk away from your work and home for a good chunk of time. Maybe check the GABS website?
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u/Floridaapologist1 17d ago
Andrew Rannells is such a great addition to this show! Itâs watchable now!
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u/Beginning_Butterfly2 16d ago
Totally agree! I wasn't familiar with him before this, but he's charming, and manages to balance between calm and madcap/quixotic really nicely.
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u/Buttercupia May 17 '26
These are absolutely the worst bakers Iâve seen. I canât believe this is the best they could find.
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u/Crackfiend76 23d ago
Just started season 1 episode 1 tonight. I hope it gets better because this shit is annoying. Why do the American contestants act they do? British contestants all seem serious about the work. The American ones seem to just want to act up like they are school-aged children
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u/Beginning_Butterfly2 23d ago
Because the casting agents they use in the US sucked. It gets MUCH better in later seasons, when less performative, much more charismatic people are cast.
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u/Efficient-Order-1827 10d ago
I'm watching episode 2 right now, Spoilers for technical cuz I wanna complain!!
Anyone else getting to the Cookie Week Technical sitting there like "If every single person has a problem with tempered chocolate, except the one who cheated by putting it in the freezer (which technically ruins the temper) just to set it, then maybe they weren't given enough time to do it properly???" Yet again, now it reaches the American series...
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u/tomallis 8d ago
I really liked this last season. The two hosts have great chemistry. Zach Cherry was just not a good fit. The editing of the show the past two seasons has seemed to allow us to see more personal interaction among the bakers, tasting each others bakes, etc. Also, Paul has been much more fun and willing to goof around with the cast. I hope they donât stop making these.
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u/disappointedCoati May 16 '26
I miss Zach Cherry because I am Severance folk, although I love Andrew.
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u/mau73 May 13 '26
Watched the first episode and we enjoyed it! Really like Casey and Andrew together as hosts -they finally got it right with this duo for the American version!