5. The Great British Bake Off (BBC2)
The British Isles became obsessed with a little BBC2 baking show when it first aired in 2010 and it reinvigorated everyones war time baking spirit. Presented by comedy duo Mel & Sue and judged by the lovely grandma type Mary Berry and the always unimpressed Paul Hollywood. Amateurs bake their signature home bakes whether its cakes, biscuits or bread before taking on a technical challenge that they are given on the spot. The elimination round is a show stopping bake that will impress the judges. It also has a section where a historian will talk about the creation of a staple baked good. These arent items of food they are baking they are pieces of work from sponge cakes shaped like the UK to the Roman Coliseum baked out of ginger bread. The BAFTA winning show is also one of the nicest cooking shows on TV, everyone helps each other out when bakes fail and the judge seem more to encourage contestants than insult them. CBS remade this show with Paul Hollywood as The American Baking Competition but the spark didnt seem to translate.
For Fans of: King Of Pastry, Cake Boss