Kindness in the Kitchen: the American Appeal of ‘the Great British Bake Off'

Audience demand for "The Great British Bake Off" is 14.8 times the demand of the average TV series in the United States. When the show premiered in 2010, no one predicted it would become a global sensation with fans tuning in far beyond Britain's borders. It's now one of Netflix's most-watched imports, and the show's gentle competition and quirky charm have found an especially loyal American following.

Part of the appeal is that the Bake Off feels different from the cutthroat cooking shows created in Hollywood studios. It is funny without being mean, smart without being pretentious and educational in a way that sneaks up on you. Viewers who tune in learn more than just recipes; they pick up techniques, discover new ingredients they've never heard of, tuck away trivia tidbits about classic bakes and gain perspective on what baking looks like in another culture.

Bake-off basics

Twelve bakers, four hosts and 10 weeks together in a tent which mimics the whims of the weather and atmospheric conditions of baking in a home or studio that isn't air-conditioned. Bakers are asked to create three recipes for each episode: the signature bake and the showstopper bake have been practiced at home and timed for perfection. The other challenge is a technical bake, which tests the bakers' skill, intuition and knowledge. No one has any idea what to expect, except that it's a baking recipe.

One unlucky baker goes home every week until there are three bakers left. The only prize for the winner after 10 weeks is a cake plate and the adoration of their fellow competitors, the hosts and their fans worldwide. Here's why this competition is different.

The competition is never predatory

Unlike most, if not all, American reality shows, contestants aren't pitted against each other in a sabotage-driven format. There are no schemes, no alliances, no backstabbing for camera time. Instead, the bakers are expected to bring their best baking skills to the tent every week.

The show's formula allows for talent, skill and creativity in the kitchen to determine who stays. It's not about who can damage another person the most, or what others are doing behind their backs, but it's more about ability and staying cool under pressure. This refreshing, straightforward approach is something worth watching for. And it shows.

Kindness runs through the tent

It's striking how often competitors help each other out, even when they're under pressure themselves. A baker struggling with stacking biscuits or completing a cake plating will often get help from the others who've finished their own recipes. Everyone who can pitch in and help sometimes runs to the aid of their competitors. That sense of camaraderie makes viewers root for everyone, not just their favorite.

When someone is eliminated, you can feel the empathy from the other bakers. Oddly enough, the judges also show concern and care for the eliminated contestants. Tears in the tent are nothing new to anyone who's watched more than one episode.

Classic bakes meet outrageous showstoppers

Part of the charm for Americans is discovering traditional British desserts that most Americans have never tried, such as Battenberg cakes or treacle tarts. There are so many recipes we've never even heard of in the United States.

If you want to talk about minds being blown, the fact that for Brits, puddings or puds aren't boxed mixes made with milk, but rather either the name for the dessert course, or a boiled or steamed suet pastry, needs to be addressed. And talking about biscuits versus cookies is a whole other article.

Then there are the towering, almost impossible showstoppers that sound almost achievable until the bakers start their monumental task of baking and building the required bakes. Watching contestants balance both tradition and ambition keeps the show fresh.

The icing on the cake

​​At its heart, " The Great British Bake Off " is less about drama and more about joy. It's about seeing people do their best, laugh at their mistakes and share in each other's success. For American audiences used to reality TV built on conflict, that difference feels refreshing.

It resonates with bakers and non-bakers alike because the show is built on kindness, humor and respect. We're drawn to it as a refreshing alternative to competition that rewards cruelty.

Watching bakers lift each other up reminds us that success doesn't have to come at someone else's expense. That gentle spirit can carry into our own lives, whether at work, at home or in hobbies we love. Bake Off shows us that kindness isn't just good television, it's a way of living worth holding onto.

Laura Sampson of Little House Big Alaska is on a mission to teach modern family-oriented home cooks how to make old-fashioned foods new again. She shares her passion for home cooking, backyard gardening and homesteading on her website and blog.