Civilian Television Food Challenges: Worst Cooks in America v. The Great British Baking Show

The immediate distinction between American food challenges and British food challenges is the ridicule.

The Great British Baking Show, to an American, is the most incredible display of anti-climactic gradualness and restrained stress I have ever seen. Hour long episodes of posh-accented, perpetually-embarrassed Brits in a tent who get the recipe titles, get to go home and learn them, study and practice them for a week and then get there and still worry about if it will turn out fine, is a DRAMATIC parallel to the fast-paced completely clueless chaos of amateur multi-cultural cooks who must compromise a recipe on spot.

American judges on Worst Cooks in America are not afraid to hold back their quips and lashes to put down the brave unskilled volunteers. This show exemplifies how American entertainment is not only based on the humility of failure, but feeds the American consumer’s desire to watch stupidity. The show’s producers pride themselves on finding the entertaining kitchen-idiots, who might use a lemon zester for a knife in a tight bout. The British are far more calm and do things more for the joy of it, and keep themselves away from the panic and discomfort that Americans thrive on.

In this way, it is difficult to distinguish which program will encourage more cooking at home. The American programs are definitely more engaging, and appeal to the non-cooks who are fearless or looking for fun in the kitchen. The British programs are far more centered on patience and the simple joy of cooking; this is for the home cooks who do have time and a passion for baking.