The best Great British Baking Show seasons you can watch right now

The Nice British Bake Off (referred to as The Nice British Baking Present within the U.S. and Canada) hardly wants an introduction. The baking competitors is an absolute deal with; every season places a handful of newbie bakers by a collection of themed baking challenges to find out the winner. The collection received over the hearts of its viewers by specializing in bakers’ private tales and abilities, quite than sowing aggressive chaos.

Although any of the seasons present the last word consolation watch, a few of them rise above the remaining — very similar to the layers of bake. We’ve collected our favorites, together with two holidays seasons, that we predict are a must-watch. It’s value noting the U.Okay. season Four is the U.S. season 1. We’ll be going by the previous. And if you happen to’d prefer to stream them, Roku has U.Okay. seasons 1-7, whereas Netflix has U.Okay. seasons 8-13 (however calls them collections 5-10).

Season 4

Picture: PBS

Why we predict it’s nice: Collection Four was the second season that aired within the U.S., and it was the primary that made me fall for the present. This was again within the halcyon days of Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins internet hosting the present, with Mary Berry as Paul Hollywood’s higher half on the judging facet of issues (serving to rein in a few of his extra harsh criticisms or outrageous takes). I miss how Bake Off used to take the area to present some baking historical past classes, or some context in regards to the geography of the place the bake is from. These classes have been truly informative and added to the expertise of studying about baking as a science and an artwork kind, quite than simply admiring good bakes. Along with the academic segments, Mary and Paul did “Masterclasses” the place they took on the challenges that they gave the bakers, which gave nice further context to what we noticed.

Favourite second: I’d be remiss to not point out Ruby Tandoh. A youngster on the time of filming, Tandoh has gone on to publish nice books and be a normal presence of excellent in what generally is a poisonous business. That’s much less “one second” than it’s a “collection of moments which have occurred because the present aired,” however I’m glad about it anyway. —Pete Volk

Season 5

Picture: Roku

Why we predict it’s nice: That is the candy spot for GBBO: The bakes aren’t fussy or overly gimmicky. Mary Berry is right here. Mel and Sue are at their silliest and filthiest. Paul has but to grow to be unbearable together with his fixed self-aggrandizing handshakes. The roster of bakers can be wonderful, because of the late, nice Luis; unassuming builder and tiny-pencil aficionado Richard; the charming, ingenious Chetna; baking prodigy Martha, who’s unimaginable to not root for; and ol’ Norman, who actually tried! However it’s the dependable baking of Nancy Birtwhistle, who nailed flavors and execution — and who made chocolate-frosted donuts with faces on them throughout superior dough week — and received by expertise and perfectionism.

Favourite second: Like Marie Kondo, I like mess and this season is messy. Season 5 is notorious for Iain dumping his botched baked Alaska within the trash, a very memorable meltdown second (that sadly resulted in fellow contestant Diana being focused by on-line trolls) that clinched his departure. The present is equally satisfying to observe understanding that Jordan, my arch-nemesis who’s unaware of my existence, will get kicked off the present. I don’t care if this makes me sound imply! — Michael McWhertor

Season 6

Picture: Roku

Why we predict it’s nice: As one of many many self-taught bakers who propelled to culinary stardom through the collection, few Bake Off contestants have ever been as heat and charismatic as Nadiya Hussain. Since showing on the present, she has gone on to host a documentary, a number of cooking reveals, and has typically grow to be an entrenched presence within the British Baking Universe — and we’re all higher for it. Different gifted contestants like Tamal Ray and Ian Cumming have been additionally charming, however let’s be actual: This was the season of Nadiya. Bonus factors for nonetheless being within the Mel and Sue and Mary period, Masterclasses and all.

Favourite second: Different substances week. My family has dietary restrictions, and it was enjoyable to see the bakers cope with the challenges we now have to frequently. —Pete Volk

Season 9

Picture: Netflix

Why we predict it’s nice: Bake Off seasons can run collectively. There’s solely so many occasions you might be launched to the shy, insecure contestant with flabbergastingly unbelievable abilities earlier than they mix collectively. However season 9, wherein so many Star Baker titles went to the scene-stealing expertise Rahul Mandal, is the standout of that specific style of contestant.

Favourite second: I don’t normally get emotionally invested within the end result of the competition — could the perfect baker win! However in one in all season 9’s cutaway scenes, it’s revealed that Rahul has no household who can journey to the occasion, and so the particular visitors of this younger, first-generation immigrant are merely the older couple that lives subsequent door. In that second I knew that I’d merely die if he didn’t make the finale. —Susana Polo

Season 12

Picture: Netflix

Why we predict it’s nice: This season is a standout for its wonderful contestants, all of whom I loved watching make scrumptious bakes. I really feel like GBBO took a minute to hit its stride once more with the introduction of recent host Matt Lucas (who has since departed). However I feel we will all agree that the showdown between Italian engineer Giuseppe Dell’Anno and German physicist Jürgen Krauss was the season’s excessive level. Each of them have been extremely form and understated, and in the end extremely enjoyable to observe.

Favourite second: I lived for each time the digital camera panned to Giuseppe and Jürgen every utilizing protractors and rulers for his or her bakes. Jürgen additionally performs the trombone and although this isn’t within the season, I like that Japanese Breakfast invited him to carry out along with her in London. —Nicole Clark

Season 13

Picture: Netflix

Why we predict it’s nice: This was one other season of big personalities, from Janusz’s witticisms to Carole’s optimism regardless of the frazzle. Although the season had its low factors — let’s all neglect Mexican Week occurred — it was additionally a pleasure to see a season the place the semifinal contestants have been all folks of colour. All three have been extremely gifted, by Syabira Yusoff persistently blew everybody out of the water within the season’s second half along with her progressive concepts and scrumptious flavors. I simply want the judges stopped calling her palette “so uncommon.”

Favourite second: It’s a tie between Syabira being flabbergasted each time she received a Star Baker, and anytime Janusz was funnier than the present’s personal hosts. (He’s on TikTok, by the way in which.) —Nicole Clark

The Nice British Baking Present: Holidays Season 3, “The Nice Festive Baking Present”

Picture: Netflix

Why we predict it’s nice: This episode stars the forged of the perfect TV comedy (don’t combat me), Derry Women. It’s hysterical as a result of the forged is completely fantastic; it’s onerous to find out whether or not they’re all in character or whether or not the present characters are simply them, however that’s a part of what makes it so humorous. Surprising nobody, Nicola Coughlan (who performs Clare Devlin) appears to have her wits about her essentially the most, so far as baking goes.

Favourite second: Can I say all of it? Bake Off contestants are normally extraordinarily achieved residence bakers who give extremely detailed explanations of their course of and inspirations. When the digital camera pans to Siobhán McSweeney (who performs Sister George Michael), she says, “I’ve put my sponge into the oven, that’s on. And I’m placing it in until it’s baked.” Detailed! We prefer it. If I actually needed to decide one second, although, it’s most likely McSweeney reaching out to Paul Hollywood for a handshake solely to have him glare and stroll away. —Nicole Clark

The Nice British Baking Present: Holidays Season 5, “The Nice Festive Baking Present”

Picture: Netflix

Why we predict it’s nice: The Nice British Bake Off’s vacation episodes are completely underrated. I like them as a result of they’re a really candy check-in with among the present’s finest and most charming contestants. The Nice New Yr’s Bake Off 2022 episode, referred to as “The Nice Festive Baking Present” below the The Nice British Baking Present: Holidays listing on Netflix, is my favourite of the lot as a result of it’s bought two of my all-time favourite contestants, Hermine from season 11 and Kim-Pleasure from season 9.

Favourite second: When Hermine will get a Paul Hollywood handshake for her apricot custard crumble breakfast buns — she was robbed in her common season, and whereas this doesn’t make it proper, it’s satisfying to see. All through, too, Kim-Pleasure has made exceptionally cute desserts, however her showstopper is a marvel: It’s made out of cookies and stars polar bear Paul and penguin Prue, all the way down to the decide’s signature pink glasses. A Kim-Pleasure traditional, there’s additionally a panda within the scene, too. —Nicole Carpenter