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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]
I do wonder how the bakers are selected because are these really the 12 best bakers out of the thousands who apply to be on the show? Giuseppe and Jurgen, possibly, yes, are understandable. But the rest does have you scratching your head and you figure other factors came into play in picking them that has nothing to do with baking but more to do with meeting demographic requirements. It's almost a cliche to this point as almost every season seems to see the same types of contestants. [/quote]

A friend of mine has applied twice (or maybe three times?) to get on. I don't remember the full details, but one time she got as close as the final tryouts -- which involve baking on camera, I think doing a sweet and a savory bake.  They are looking for particular demographics and geography (and a mix of demographics and geography), how well you perform on camera, and even how well you bake (!).  I suppose whether you fit with the final group may play a role too -- they probably want a mix of baking styles as well as other characteristics.  One year we were visiting while she was filling out the written application, which included a lot about hobbies and other interests -- she was working up an explanation of how she trained for triathalons fueled by her home-baked energy bars.  But best of all was when we visited while she was practicing her bakes for the try-outs!

My personal favorite contestant, I think, is Chetna.[/quote]

What I find interesting is that it's obvious from every first episode that the bakers are not equal in talent and capabilities. Whoever selects the bakers is making a conscious decision to group less talented bakers with better ones, knowing they have no real chance at being finalists or winners. I suppose there is a virtue to a show where instead of looking for 12 top notch competitive bakers, the bakers are there for the fun and enjoyment and to see how long they last rather than a genuine competition to be the winner. It's probably only after a few episodes that the better bakers can look around and start thinking, you know, I have a real shot at being a finalist.

The only season I can think of where the winner was not obvious in the first episode and who probably surprised the producers is the one where Nadiya won. But this year both Jurgen and Giuseppe were the only two strong bakers from the first episode and the gulf between the two and the rest of the bakers is probably the biggest we've had among any group of contestants. There is a significant gap between Jurgen/Giuseppe and Crystelle/Chigs.

And yes, Chetna is one of my favorite bakers. Of all the bakers I've watched, she and Kim-Joy are the ones I'd first want to try their bakes. Chetna for her creative marriage of Indian and Western flavors and bakes, and Kim-Joy for the sheer joy of her talented decorations.

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