Every season of The Great British Bake Off, ranked
Ahead of this week's finale, let's rate each batch of the show so far
TV Features The Great British Bake Off
Who would have thought that a show featuring a group of complete unknowns baking in a tent would be a hit? And The Great British Bake Off is not just a hit, but one that has spawned 14 seasons and continues to hold as much charm as it did when it first began.
Part of the appeal is that, in a harsh world where reality shows are often about reveling in rejection (Love Island), fierce competition (Squid Game: The Challenge), or ultra rich and un-relatable people (The Kardashians), Bake Off is just about normal people doing normal things. Okay, so no one really bakes pastry in a canvas tent in the middle of a heatwave, but apart from that, this show is weirdly … normal.
But Bake Off also speaks to something wider; in recent years it has been a subtle pushback in the U.K. against political narratives that seek to divide. As a right-wing Conservative government sent vans to areas heavily populated with people of color, as Britain tore itself asunder over the Brexit vote and then left the European Union, Bake Off—without sounding too dramatic about a television program—was showing us that what unites us is stronger than what divides us. One can’t help but think that those peddling racist nonsense disguised as political rhetoric hated seeing a hijab-wearing woman talking about how happy she is in her arranged marriage (Nadiya from season six) or the success of a German and an Italian baker (season 12’s Jürgen and Giuseppe).
Over a dozen-plus seasons—the 14th is currently airing, with its finale arriving on Netflix December 1—and a host of celebrity specials, Bake Off has cemented itself as a comfort show, one that is about camaraderie and friendship and togetherness. And baked goods.
It’s had its ups and downs for sure, from baking fails to injuries, and it hasn’t escaped the racism underlying so many U.K. institutions (although unlike most, it has corrected course with little fuss). Here, we rank the 13 completed regular seasons of Bake Off so far—excluding any holiday or charity specials—using a method as intricate and scientific as those provided by Paul and Prue to bakers during the technical challenge.
18 Comments
This season has been the most positive and enjoyable BO I can remember.
its been a welcome return to form I think.
My list would look something like: 80% of the seasons tied for first, and 20% very gently tied for second, mostly because they’re just less memorable (I had a few ohhhh right, them! moments clicking through the slideshow). What you really should have done with your Thanksgiving weekend is a comprehensive list ranking all the bakers. Now that’s something that would light the comments section on fire (and end friendships and marriages). 🙂
there’s a mistake, because Japanese week was in 2020 not 2019
I don’t think you know what the word racist means. Nothing the show did was meant to discriminate or antagonize.
Every season has a similar degree of the same pleasures (not a complaint), so it’s tough to rank anything. And when it comes to the hosts (I’ve loved Hammond this season — and her classic interview with Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford for Blade Runner 2049 is something) I’ve been pleased pretty much across the board. I loved Sue and Mel. They are the greatest hosts because they, along with Mary Berry, created the show’s tone — cheeky and compassionate in equal measure. Some people like Noel, some don’t. Many hated Lucas. But I found that no matter who comes on the show they all seem to rise to the occasion. Lucas, I think the most divisive addition ever, often showed kindness and genuine feeling toward contestants, especially during meltdowns. In other settings perhaps he’s less known for kindness but in the tent everyone becomes kinder. That’s what’s beautiful about this show.
Sue and Mel not only set the tone but their improvs are now canon – gingham altar, barking BAKE! etc.
You got #1 right but you’re tragically wrong about Season/Series 5 (with Nancy as the winner). Series 5 and 6 were Bake Off at its best with excellent casts. And, for fans of the current season: huh? I mean they all seem like nice people but talent-wise, none of them would have made it past Week 2 or 3 in any of the original BBC produced series…which made for a rather dull season. And, Noel is way past his expiration date.
No disrespect toward Matt, but I’m glad he’s out. It’s been better this season without him. I do miss Sandi, though. She was so dry and amusing.
Jurgen! None of us could believe it when the idiosyncratic German bit it in the penultimate episode. The man seemed like a lock for the final from the beginning.
Matt was terrible. Alison is delightful, she’s so warm and cheerful and has good chemistry with Noel.
Matt was so awkward his first season, but seemed to hit his stride as he went. But he was never a great fit.
The best upgrade has been Prue, she’s a great foil for Paul compared to Mary.
“Jurgen! None of us could believe it when the idiosyncratic German bit it in the penultimate episode. The man seemed like a lock for the final from the beginning.”
Definitely the biggest shock until just this past week when another heavy favorite bit it in the semis.
Yeah, I’ve had Tasha and Dan pegged for the final since the beginning, with Josh and Cristy as the swings. (I never thought Matty would get this far.)
Sad to see Tasha go. She had a bad week at the wrong time, just as Jurgen did.
Be proud of yourself – you somehow got two mentions of racism in a freaking British Baking Show evergreen piece, the A/V Club Style Guide minimum.
The definitive list of every Bake-Off contestant:1. Middle aged dad who’s strangely attractive2. Young guy in his 20s, likely very attractive, often his very far or wins3. Older lady who’s very sweet/quirky but usually bites it in the earlier rounds4. A stay at home mom or working mom (but who’s characterization emphasizes being a mother) who usually makes it to the later weeks5. The young one, often goes very far6. An older man who enjoys music and gardening, out in earlier rounds7. Someone who’s really weird and goes in the first round, no one ever remembers them until they say one thing to the camera at the final round picnic8. A 35-55 non-white man who generally goes out early-ish9. A younger-ish non-white woman who often goes very far or wins10. The most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen in my life, often goes very far or wins
Look, stay out of UK politics. Your opinions are partisan and ignorant – enough people cannot stand Americans already, stop making it worse.
I see we’re still pretending not knowing how to cut an avocado is racism
The criticism of Mexican Week is frankly a LOT overdone. It was a Twitter meme driven by a few pious scolds; therefore every other outlet had to get up to speed and join the pile-on. Yes, the contestants were less familiar with Mexican desserts. yes, Paul wanted the kind of perfection that is not typically associated with Tres Leches cake. That’s not actually racist, just unworldly.