Watch The Great British Baking Show: The Professionals

The Great British Baking Show: The Professionals is a British television program that airs on Netflix. This show is a spinoff of the popular series, The Great British Bake Off. In the Professionals version, contestants are made up entirely of seasoned professionals in the baking industry, such as restaurant chefs or pastry chefs.

The show follows a similar format to its predecessor, with contestants participating in a series of challenges each week designed to showcase their technical skills and creativity. The bakes are judged by a panel of experts, which includes pastry chef Cherish Finden and chef Benoit Blin, both of whom work at the prestigious hotel chain, The Belmond.

In each episode, the contestants are challenged with a different theme, such as chocolate or patisserie. The challenges are designed to stretch their culinary abilities, pushing them to demonstrate their prowess in complex techniques such as sugar work, chocolate tempering or bread making. Each challenge is timed, and the contestants must demonstrate their expertise under pressure, often with several bakes to complete within the given time frame.

The judges are strict, and they offer feedback that is both encouraging and constructive. While they acknowledge when the contestants have done well, they don't hold back when discussing the shortcomings of a bake. The judges' critiques are frank and unapologetic, but they are also fair and honest, providing valuable insight into what the contestants might improve upon in future challenges.

One of the most significant differences between The Great British Baking Show: The Professionals and its predecessor is the level of technical skill demonstrated by the contestants. While the contestants on The Great British Bake Off are amateurs, the professionals in this version are experts in the field. This means that the bakes on The Professionals are often more complex and intricate, with a focus on precision and technique.

Despite the increased level of difficulty, the contestants generally work cohesively, often helping each other through the challenges or sharing ingredients and equipment when necessary. While there is certainly a competitive aspect to the show, there is also a spirit of collaboration, with participants often expressing admiration for the skills of their fellow contestants.

The production value of The Great British Baking Show: The Professionals is top-notch. The show is beautifully shot, with stunning close-ups of the bakes and the contestants' hands as they work. The set is a professional kitchen, complete with a massive array of equipment, ingredients and specialised tools. This immersive setting adds to the realism of the show and makes for fascinating viewing.

Overall, The Great British Baking Show: The Professionals is a delight for anyone who loves baking or cooking. It is a professionally produced program that showcases the skills of some of the best bakers in Britain. The challenges are significant, and the contestants are experts in their field, making for an exciting and engaging viewing experience. While the show is undoubtedly aimed at foodies and baking enthusiasts, it has broad appeal due to its charming hosts, beautiful production, and engaging format.

The Great British Baking Show: The Professionals is a must-watch for fans of The Great British Bake Off or anyone who appreciates the art and science of baking. Its lively format, enthusiastic contestants, and expert judges make for a captivating viewing experience from start to finish, and there is always something new to learn about the world of baking.

The Great British Baking Show: The Professionals is a series that ran for 7 seasons (14 episodes) between February 1, 2023 and on Netflix