Would I Want to Be on The Great British Bake Off?
Heck no. Seriously no. I like messing around in the kitchen occasionally, but The Great British Bake Off (GBBO) has taken amateur baking to near-professional heights, which brings with it a lot of stress.
Early Days of GBBO
When GBBO first started, in the first series or two, it was all about people like most of us who bake occasionally and some who find they both like it and are good at it. However, my experience with baking shows that I don’t share the same skill or enthusiasm. However, I still remember the exact moment when the game started to get harder: during the first few episodes, most amateur bakers would rely on rule of thumb.
For instance, when making biscuits, they would simply spoon a mixture onto the tray. That was the safest and most straightforward method. But at some point, it became mandatory to measure everything precisely. Whether it was the amount of mixture per biscuit, per cake, or even using a ruler for traybakes, the bar was raised to a point where it became almost impossible to mess around with ingredients carelessly.
Professional Standards and Stress
As the series progressed, so did the technical challenges. Filo pastry, for instance, is something that even professional bakers might struggle with. Celebrities like Mary Berry, who is known for her baking skills, confessed that she would rather buy ready-made pastry than make it from scratch. This highlights the pressure and stress that comes with trying to emulate professional standards at home.
The Demanding Environment
The rigid rules and high expectations create an incredibly demanding environment. Contestants are under constant scrutiny, and every mistake can have significant consequences. Watch any episode and you'll see contestants agonizing over every aspect of their creations, always striving for perfection.
Stress and Personal Decision
While I respect the dedication and talent of those who do participate in GBBO, the stress factor is a huge deterrent for me. I admire watching the amazing achievements of the bakers, but I can no longer endure the pressure.
Witnessing the intensity firsthand, I remember Nadia, a contestant, crouching on the floor with her head in the oven, anxiously awaiting the cake to rise. She later confessed, “I’d rather have another baby.” This quote perfectly sums up the level of stress that participating in GBBO can bring.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the success stories and achievements of GBBO bakers are inspiring, the outrageous expectations and pressure to produce perfect results are not for everyone. I prefer to enjoy baking in a more relaxed and enjoyable manner, without the added stress that GBBO brings.