In the first season they toured around a bit instead of setting up shop in the backyard of a mansion. It was a neat idea. I wager the initial intention was to celebrate the locations many of the bakes came from as well as the food itself. Mel & Sue would wander around the town interviewing bakers and talking about the history of whatever the bakers were making.
But I imagine the logistics of moving a giant tent every episode with a dozen mini-kitchens in it wasn’t worth the hassle. Season 2 was the first time they set up behind a mansion.
I think they stuck with it because it’s relatively easy to rent some space in a field somewhere scenic and set up shop. Different locations keeps things fresh, and the gentle “nature” aesthetic matches the vibe of the show (imo).
I think you’re right, and like other people said “the tent” has become a sort of icon of the series.
I think it’s also from the “art direction” point of view, it also makes it appear as more of a “pop up contest”. They’re not going to an established venue, they’re saying “and here we are today at (location) for the British bake off!” It makes it feel more like a travelling “festival style” event like a local baking competition than a hard “we brought challengers to the Bake Off Challenge campus”. It feels more approachable when it looks like it could be “in your back yard” than in some far off studio.
I’m not sure at what point it happened, but the big white tent quickly became an icon for the series, too. Pretty early on the bakers talk about being in awe of “the actual tent”. At this point we must ask ourselves - is it truly baking if you’re not in a tent?
Also, tangentially related - I’m a fan of having the weather play a part. No, normally you wouldn’t be baking in a thunderstorm at 40°C @ 200% humidity, buuuuuut the drama makes for some good watchin’. Yep, they’d have an easier time in a dedicated indoor space. That’s boring. Show me how an opera cake handles a summer day.
Might have an answer, as a fan of the show:
In the first season they toured around a bit instead of setting up shop in the backyard of a mansion. It was a neat idea. I wager the initial intention was to celebrate the locations many of the bakes came from as well as the food itself. Mel & Sue would wander around the town interviewing bakers and talking about the history of whatever the bakers were making.
But I imagine the logistics of moving a giant tent every episode with a dozen mini-kitchens in it wasn’t worth the hassle. Season 2 was the first time they set up behind a mansion.
I think they stuck with it because it’s relatively easy to rent some space in a field somewhere scenic and set up shop. Different locations keeps things fresh, and the gentle “nature” aesthetic matches the vibe of the show (imo).
I think you’re right, and like other people said “the tent” has become a sort of icon of the series.
I think it’s also from the “art direction” point of view, it also makes it appear as more of a “pop up contest”. They’re not going to an established venue, they’re saying “and here we are today at (location) for the British bake off!” It makes it feel more like a travelling “festival style” event like a local baking competition than a hard “we brought challengers to the Bake Off Challenge campus”. It feels more approachable when it looks like it could be “in your back yard” than in some far off studio.
The fun thing is that, at least in the Dutch spin-off, it’s also set in a tent, which is stationary.
So somehow the tent got baked into the format, whilst it’s original use was discarded.
;-)
I’m not sure at what point it happened, but the big white tent quickly became an icon for the series, too. Pretty early on the bakers talk about being in awe of “the actual tent”. At this point we must ask ourselves - is it truly baking if you’re not in a tent?
Also, tangentially related - I’m a fan of having the weather play a part. No, normally you wouldn’t be baking in a thunderstorm at 40°C @ 200% humidity, buuuuuut the drama makes for some good watchin’. Yep, they’d have an easier time in a dedicated indoor space. That’s boring. Show me how an opera cake handles a summer day.
I believe everyone but New Zealand is in a tent.