26 things you probably didn't know about 'The Great British Baking Show'

Chelsea Davis,Crystal WallOct 22, 2024, 21:27 IST

"The Great British Baking Show" premiered in 2010.Channel 4/Love Productions

"The Great British Baking Show" is actually called "The Great British Bake Off" in the UK.
The winner of the show gets a cake stand and flowers, not a major cash prize.

The show has a different name in the US because of Pillsbury.

In the UK, the show is titled "The Great British Bake-Off."BBC

The UK cannot get enough of "The Great British Bake Off."

A reported 15.9 million viewers watched "The Great British Baking Show" season-seven finale.BBC/Netflix

Over 12,000 people apply to the show each year.

Only 12 of 12,000 applicants are chosen to compete on "The Great British Baking Show" each year.PBS PressRoom

There's a long application process to become a contestant.

Sophie Faldo on "The Great British Baking Show."BBC/Netflix

Potential contestants also meet with a psychologist before being selected.

Competing on "The Great British Baking Show" can be stressful.PBS

Before the show begins, contestants must have plans for their final bakes.

Contestants must prepare their final bake recipes well in advance.BBC/Netflix

But the contestants don't know what the technical rounds will entail.

During technical challenges, contestants in the back have a bit of an advantage.Channel 4

"The Great British Baking Show" has a "home economics" team to ensure the show runs smoothly.

The "home economics" team gets all of the ingredients the contestants need for their bakes.BBC/Netflix

The show goes through a lot of baking supplies.

"The Great British Baking Show" uses a lot of baking materials.BBC/Netflix

Bakers can request specific ingredients.

They can even request the exact brand they want.BBC/Netflix

Contestants can choose to bring their own equipment and supplies.

Stacey Hart on "The Great British Baking Show."Channel 4

The ovens are tested each day before shooting.

The ovens are tested to ensure a fair competition.BBC/Netflix

The baked goods don't go to waste.

"The Great British Baking Show" crew gets to munch on leftover bakes.BBC/Netflix

Judges, not producers, decide who stays and goes.

Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith are the current "Bake-Off" judges.BBC/Netflix

"The Great British Baking Show" has its own illustrator.

Tom Hovey illustrates all "The Great British Baking Show" desserts.BBC/Netflix

There are more people in the tent than you think.

Between the crew and contestants, there are about 100 people in the tent.BBC/Netflix

Filming days can be up to 10 to 16 hours long.

"The Great British Baking Show" is often filmed on weekends.BBC/Netflix

Contestants are interviewed several times a day.

Frances Quinn on "The Great British Baking Show."BBC/Netflix

Producers want a camera filming every time the ovens are opened.

The cameras try to catch every detail.BBC via Netflix

The tent conditions can affect the bakes.

Temperature can affect the bakes.BBC/Netflix

But sometimes the production team can be understanding of weather-related challenges.

Exceptions have been made for inclement weather.BBC/Netflix

Bakers wear the same clothes for two days in a row while filming.

"The Great British Baking Show" casts needs to wear the same outfit for two days.BBC/Netflix

Contestants can't have their phones while filming.

They can check their phones once they leave the set.Channel 4

But they can't really tell their family and friends they're on the show until it airs.

Contestants can't share the news until after the show airs.BBC/Netflix

Berry used to watch "Breaking Bad" on set.

Mary Berry on "The Great British Baking Show."BBC One

The winner of "The Great British Baking Show" doesn't receive a major cash prize.

The winner gets a cake stand and flowers.BBC/Netflix

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