Every Little Thing by April Jeppson

 

My husband and I often put the kids to bed a few minutes earlier than necessary, so we can snuggle on the couch and watch something together. Movies, sitcoms, teen vampire dramas — we’re up for anything. Currently we’re watching “The Great British Bake Off.” It’s weirdly popular right now, so you may have heard of it.

It’s a BBC baking competition show. Its starts off with a dozen home baking enthusiasts, and each week they eliminate one contestant — but it’s British, so there are nuances and quirks that make this show different than a traditional American competition show. Here are some of my deep thoughts on this program.

They are speaking the same language as I am and multiple times during each episode you can catch me making a “What did they say?” face. The accent might be thick or perhaps they are speaking faster than I can listen. But I’m slightly confused. Even when I can understand the words they are saying, I often don’t understand what they mean. It took me a bit to realize that “sponge” simply meant “cake.” Biscuit means cracker. Shoe is like a doughnut — I think.

I love the two judges on the show. Mary is an older, respectable woman, who carries herself as well as the queen. Very proper, polite and knows all the rules of traditional baking. Paul, I’m guessing, is the bad boy baker. He’s probably in his 50s, has silver hair and steely blue eyes that can intimidate even the best bakers on the show. Where he lays down the law, she extends grace. Where she brings in traditional recipes and ideas, he keeps it fresh. They are always polite to each other. Always.

Some of the cooking challenges are crazy. Currently (watching this over my computer) they just got a recipe that looks like someone’s grandma wrote it. You know the kind. It gives ingredients, but no quantities. Or a bake time but no temperature. A recipe that works great for someone who has prepared this multiple times. But most of these contestants have no idea what this particular food item even looks like, let alone tastes like. Oh, and they are being timed. How is no one crying in a corner right now?

I’m pretty sure one of the announcers just said, “One minute on your jumbles!’” I’ve been watching this whole thing and I’m like, “What the heck is a jumble?” “Mmmm, the bake on this one is fine.” “The shape on this one is not good. There’s not much definition there.” As per usual, I have little idea as to whether they did well or not. I mean, I’ve never eaten a jumble. Wouldn’t even know where I could order one, or if I’d even want to.

Even though my knowledge of traditional British baking is very limited, I’ve found myself rooting for one of the ladies. I’m not sure if she’s actually the best or not, but I see how hard she’s working and how much passion she has. Honestly, I kind of like all the contestants who are left. They are unfiltered and unedited, and they all look and act like real people who I would see on the street. It’s very refreshing in comparison to some of the competition shows that we have broadcast here.

This show is fun. It’s different. These home bakers aren’t competing against the other people as much as they are simply trying to bake their best. They don’t pit the contestants against each other. They don’t get advantages or perks for winning a challenge — just a hug or a high five from the fellow contestants.

I thoroughly enjoy this show. If you’re looking for something light and refreshing, I highly recommend it. I guarantee you’ll learn a thing or two, as well.

Albert Lean April Jeppson is a wife, mom, coach and encourager of dreams.