Why do they bake outside in tents? - The Great British Bake Off (2014) Discussion

[–] maryrosenkranz 9 years ago

They don't explain why the tents. I will say maybe less expensive than renting a building(as according to the bakers it's 1 episode per week). And maybe they wanted it to "look" a certain way-country feel. But it definitely doesn't help with the products "setting" & things drooping when it's warm & humid.

reply

[–] Clemencedane 9 years ago

Yes, I halfway thought they were trying to recreate the conditions of some kind of idealized British past when people cooked in an environment without climate control.

reply

[–] nutsberryfarm 9 years ago

cool.

'The only mystery in life is why the kamikaze pilots wore helmets.'-Al McGuire ✈

reply

[–] tally1-934-484232 9 years ago

It was for the look of things. The village fete is a great British cultural institution and is always held in tents, and they wanted the show to evoke the imagery of a village baking competition. Notice the lovely manor house in the background and the lush green landscaping? Oh, so British. Hard to duplicate that inside a tv studio.

I have to say while I understand that being outdoors does complicate the baking process somewhat, the colors and lighting are so much better than the harsh indoor lights of a studio that you see on the US cooking shows. It makes the program more appealing to watch.

reply

[–] Cooly44 9 years ago

The gorgeous scenery is half the appeal of the show. I'm glad they're outside.

reply

[–] Clemencedane 9 years ago

Thanks - that's interesting. I suppose they couldn't really have two different settings, one for the actual baking and another for presentation and judging, so they chose to have both in the more picturesque setting.

reply

[–] nutsberryfarm 9 years ago

i love a good tent.

🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴

reply

[–] falconefans 9 years ago

It's a very nice setting but the temps are affecting the outcomes of some of the cakes.

Why make them do a baked Alaska or work with chocolate when it's hot and humid in that tent?

It seems like an unnecessary hazard just to have a lovely setting.

Why not show the castle and the outdoors, but let them bake in a climate controlled room.

The other thing that i noticed last season is each contestant has a fridge/freezer to use if necessary. But they seem to have to share them. There was one contestant who kept opening the door to check theirs while someone else's was in there. I don't think that's particularly fair. It would be like making them share an oven.

If they have to bake in a tent, at least give everyone their own fridge/freezer.

Fraaaank. FRANK! Get my jean bin. Susie wants my jeans.
No she doesnt.

reply

[–] louiseculmer 9 years ago

Don't know, but I think it's very strange. Not however as irritating as that idiot Perkins woman and her lame jokes, and her insistance on the contestants all hugging each other whenever any of them leaves. and the others have to pretend to be upset, as tjough they're anything but relieved and delighted that it's not them leaving.

reply

[–] maryrosenkranz 9 years ago

You do know she's an actual comedian(which is very subjective, I know).
Her job is to lighten the mood for the contestants. They are amateurs, so the whole competition means a lot to them. They do spend a lot of time together, so yes, some are upset. And yes, some are also relieved. Not everyone has an "out to get you" attitude though.
Just a side note, she's also had a brain tumor for 8 years.

reply

[–] OmeOmi2 9 years ago

I adore the setting. I must've missed the show where they discuss humidity, but would love to see it because I live in a humid climate. :)

reply

[–] dagr317 9 years ago

To answer the question in the thread title: Because the producers wanted the drama of the show to be intense. "In tents"... get it? Sorry but I just couldn't resist.

I love this show and for me, the setting is an integral part of it. Anyone can cook or bake in a temperature-controlled indoor kitchen but cooking outdoors in a tent takes skill and patience. And by Season 6, the people who submit applications know what they're in for and if they're up for it, good for them!

reply

[–] dulisse77 9 years ago

I don't know how warm and humid it would get inside the tents when it seems to be late winter/early spring in England.

They tried a similar show in the US where the competitors baked in tents. Paul Hollywood was also the judge on that show. Unfortunately, the show was produced in the south and it seemed like late spring or summer. So I can well believe those tents were hot and humid.

If you can't be a good example -- then you'll just have to be a horrible warning.

reply

[–] dagr317 9 years ago

I suppose they can have air conditioning in tents or at least ceiling fans or some other way for air to circulate. From the shows I've seen, I don't remember any of the bakers being hot and sweaty so it must not be all that bad. I seem to recall reading that in one of the earlier seasons, they had to move a day of the competition into the house for some reason but I can't remember what it was (maybe a torrential downpour collapsed the tent?).

reply

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] machisuji 9 years ago

I just started watching the first season. It only has 6 episodes and for each episode they do the bake off in another place. The first episode is in Kingham, England. The second one somewhere in Scotland and so on.

Makes sense to have a 'portable bakery' in that case as they would want to use the same ovens and equipment in every episode. I finished watching season 4 recently and they are actually still using the exact same ovens from the first season apparently.

reply

[–] willcwhite 8 years ago

I just started watching this on Netflix in the US, and indeed, this was my very first reaction. Baking is chemistry. But I suppose if these people are good, they should be able to roll with the punches.

reply

[–] jdsimonsjr 8 years ago

They don't explain it as in: "We back in a tent because..." But the first series/season traveled around Britain. The location influenced the theme of the week and history lessons about whatever baking style or recipe was featured were also incorporated. It was quite interesting but took away from each of the contestants.

The show is now filmed in only one location but the tent remained. I believe because the feel of the show was established in the first season and to change it would change the show.

reply

[–] liscarkat (16565) 3 years ago

The outdoor country setting is a great part of the appeal of the show. It is possible, however, to air-condition those types of pavilions. I don't know why they don't, unless they want the contestants to have the added challenge of hot weather.

reply