There’s no better cure for cabin fever than a new season of Great British Baking Show: The Professionals.
The Great British Baking Show: The Professionals is now on Netflix in the U.S., but it’s vastly different than the amateur version of the show. One stark difference is the absence of judge Paul Hollywood.
The Great British Baking Show: The Professionals previously aired in the U.K. as Bake Off: The Professionals. The season consists of 10 episodes, all of which are available for binge-watching now. Taking on hosting duties are former Great British Baking Show competitor Liam Charles (Series 8) and British comedian and actor Tom Allen.
Filling the roles of judges are pastry chef Cherish Finden and chef patissier Benoit Blin. The competitor lineup includes 12 teams of pastry chefs from restaurants, small businesses and top hotels.
What do the Great British Baking Show: The Professionals winners receive?
In true Baking Show fashion, champs won’t receive a cash prize. Instead, they will take home a trophy and the title of best British baker.
How does the Great British Baking Show spinoff differ from the original?
There are plenty of differences between the two shows, but somehow the magic remains. It’s likely because when the element of money is off the table, you get bakers who bake simply for the love of it.
The stark differences in the show include:
- The setting….Professionals is filmed in a climate-controlled indoor kitchen as opposed to the tent. This reduces much of the risks the amateurs face, including weather, bugs, and more.
- The hosts….While Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith offer their own criticism and judgement of amateurs, the Professionals judges take it to a whole new level. Of course, there are greater expectations from professional pastry chefs and Cherish and Benoit show no mercy on the bakers.
Where is Paul Hollywood?
While Paul Hollywood is a GBBO staple, he has never been involved in the Professionals spinoff. The Great British Baking Show: The Professionals first premiered as Bake Off: Crème de la Crème in 2016, and Paul Hollywood and then co-judge Mary Berry weren’t involved in the series.
The Great British Baking Show: The Professionals series premiered in the U.S. on February 1, 2023, on Netflix, but was actually filmed in 2021. It aired in the U.K. in 2022. Thankfully they decided to share the baking magic with U.S. audiences. If you’re a fan of the original British Baking Show series, you won’t be disappointed. In fact, it may reignite your baking passions and challenge you to learn some new things! Go watch it now and let us know what you think.
If you’re a Great British Baking Show purist and want to relive its glory days, find out how to watch the early seasons HERE.