The Great British Baking Show: Holidays

For the past few years, fans of The Great British Baking Show (known as The Great British Bake-Off in the UK) have come to expect special holiday-themed episodes of the show, featuring contestants from previous seasons competing for the title of Holiday Star Baker. Netflix has added not one but two new episodes (at least, new to US viewers) this year, featuring Christmas and New Year Eve editions of the popular baking competition. As these specials were filmed in late 2019, they predate the latest quarantine-bubble season, now available in its entirety on Netflix. It’s nice to return to a time of blissful innocence, back when we had no idea what 2020 had in store.

Both editions stick to the show’s usual format, naming a winner at the end based on three baking challenges. Except in this case, the winner gets to go home with the trophy (in the form of a decorative cake plate, as usual) after only one episode. The Christmas special brings back four fan favorites to the tent — Briony, Yan, Terry, and Tom — and tasks them with creating festive cake pops, sausage roll wreaths, and a gingerbread building for their showstopper. As usual, the bakes are hectic but the bakers are full of humor and good cheer. Hosts Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig move things along smoothly, while the judges bring their usual tough but fair assessments to the table. The showstopper round in particular has some wonderful surprises.

In the second of the two specials, the crew are joined by the hilarious cast of the comedy series Derry Girls (also conveniently available on Netflix). None of them are particularly experienced bakers, but they give it their all in three challenges that test their creativity and determination as much as their culinary skills. Even if you haven’t seen Derry Girls you’ll fall for this lively bunch as they take cheeky jabs at each other, the hosts, the judges, and even themselves. As with the regular series, it’s the disasters the are the most memorable (and relatable for amateurs watching at home). Everyone is clearly having a blast, despite the pressure. There may only be one winner, but there are no losers here.