Are You Ready for a Sugar-Infused Showdown?
If you’ve got a sweet tooth and a penchant for charming British wit, you’re in for a treat. The beloved “The Great British Baking Show” has made its triumphant return with season 11 on Netflix, and it’s causing quite a stir. The first episode, dropped just last week, promises the same delightful banter, creamy confections, and heartwarming competition that fans adore. In fact, the buzz around this single episode could rival a Hollywood blockbuster!
The Bake-Off Phenomenon Explained
For those unacquainted with the baking magic inside the tent, allow us to elaborate. “The Great British Baking Show,” known as “The Great British Bake Off” to its UK fans, beckons a group of amateur bakers to compete in an intense, quintessentially British culinary showdown. Over the span of 10 weeks, each episode presents a series of delectable challenges, scrutinized by renowned judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith, with the charismatic Noel Fielding as host. This season brings a fresh twist with the introduction of a new co-host, the ever-enthusiastic Alison Hammond.
Meet the New Co-Host: Alison Hammond
Alison Hammond joins the show as a co-host this season, standing beside Noel Fielding (who takes the reins from Matt Lucas). Hammond’s seamless integration into the cast is no surprise, given her prior involvement. She previously competed in “The Great British Bake Off” charity special in 2020 and boasts a rich resume as a comedian and reality television star. Her accomplishments extend to being a BAFTA-nominated television presenter and a published author, with her memoir “You’ve Got To Laugh” released in 2021.
Farewell to Matt Lucas
Alison Hammond’s arrival comes as she takes over Matt Lucas’s co-host role. Lucas, who joined the show in 2020, referred to his time on the show as a “pandemic job” during a podcast interview. He left to channel his energies into book writing and his show, “Fantasy Football League.” While his departure may have been influenced by mutual considerations, it’s worth noting that there were also concerns from fans about some of Lucas’s comments during the show.
Episode Count: What to Expect
“The Great British Baking Show” traditionally boasts around 10 episodes per season (or “series” as they call it in British lingo). Season 11 maintains this tradition with precisely 10 episodes, and the premiere is already available on Netflix. If you’re yearning for more, you’re in luck. With a total of 13 seasons and numerous one-off specials, the series offers a whopping 168 episodes for your indulgence—enough to keep you occupied for an entire month!
Release Dates for Season 11 Episodes
Now, the burning question: when can you expect the new episodes of season 11 to drop? As of now, only the first episode is available on Netflix. For UK viewers, the show airs on Channel 4 every Tuesday at 8 p.m. BST. If you’re in the US, though, you’ll have to wait until Fridays for each new episode to hit Netflix. Here’s the full release schedule:
- Friday, September 29, 2023: Episode 1: “Cake Off” (Available Now)
- Friday, October 6, 2023: Episode 2: “Biscuit Week”
- Friday, October 13, 2023: Episode 3
- Friday, October 20, 2023: Episode 4
- Friday, October 27, 2023: Episode 5
- Friday, November 3, 2023: Episode 6
- Friday, November 10, 2023: Episode 7
- Friday, November 17, 2023: Episode 8
- Friday, November 24, 2023: Episode 9
- Friday, December 1, 2023: Episode 10 (Finale)
The Mystery of the Missing Raspberry
Spoiler alert! If you’ve already indulged in the first episode of this season, you might be curious about the peculiar absence of a raspberry in the iconic “The Great British Baking Show” logo—a cake generously adorned with berries. This raspberry omission has been a topic of discussion for years among fans.
During the latest episode, contestants were tasked with replicating the iconic cake for a technical challenge, raspberry deficiency and all. As the bakers diligently worked, Alison Hammond playfully inquired about the whereabouts of the missing fruit. To everyone’s amusement, her co-host Noel Fielding revealed the elusive raspberry tucked away in a small box. His tongue-in-cheek response? “It’s my pension,” he quipped. “I’m selling that on eBay.”
The case is solved, and you can now dive into the delightful episodes of “The Great British Baking Show” on Netflix.