The American Baking Competition

The American Baking Competition

Title screen of The American Baking Competition
Genre
Presented by Jeff Foxworthy
Judges
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 1
No. of episodes 7 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)
Production company(s) Love Productions USA
Release
Original network CBS
Picture format 1080i (16:9 HDTV)
Original release May 29 (2013-05-29) – July 10, 2013 (2013-07-10)
Chronology
Related shows The Great British Bake Off
External links
Official website

The American Baking Competition is a reality competition television series that aired on CBS from May 29[1] to July 10, 2013. It was based on the BBC baking competition The Great British Bake Off. The series aimed to find the best amateur baker in the United States. The series was hosted by Jeff Foxworthy and judged by Marcela Valladolid and Paul Hollywood.[1] The competition was won by Brian Emmett.[2][3]

Format

The show aimed to find among its contestants the best amateur baker in the US. Ten contestants were chosen for the first season. In each episode, the amateur bakers were given three challenges: a signature bake, a technical challenge, and a show-stopper.[4] The three challenges took place over two days, and the bakes made by the contestants were assessed by the judges after each challenge. At the end of the 3 bakes, the judges chose a Star Baker for the week, and a contestant was also eliminated. In the finale three bakers were left and a winner was chosen from the three.

The competition was held in one location in a specially constructed marquee. Interspersed in the show were short videos on the background of the contestants, as well as information on the history of baking and visiting various locations.

The entire season series was shot over a one-month period.[6]

The winner of the competition received a $250,000 grand prize and a publishing contract with Simon & Schuster.[7]

Production

On October 17, 2012, CBS ordered the series under the original title Bake-Off.[8][9] Since Pillsbury Company held the trademark to the name (using it for its Pillsbury Bake-Off), the show was later renamed The American Baking Competition.[6]

CBS placed casting calls for participants on November 14, 2012. Auditions were held between December 1 and December 15, 2012.[10] The competition took place at the Gibbs Gardens in Ball Ground, Georgia in March 2013.[6]

Broadcast

The first season of The American Baking Competition premiered on May 29, 2013.[1] It aired four episodes in the Wednesdays at 8 p.m. Eastern/9 p.m. Central timeslot. On June 26, 2013, it moved to 9 p.m. Eastern/8 p.m. Central, to make way for Big Brother, and aired its three remaining episodes in that timeslot. Both of these timeslots put the series opposite Fox's MasterChef, which is also a cooking competition.

A four-episode adaptation of the The Great British Bake Off, The Great Holiday Baking Show with Mary Berry as one of the judges, premiered on ABC on November 30, 2015.[11] Unlike the American Baking Competition, The Great Holiday Baking Show was made in collaboration with the British original's production company, Love Productions, and was filmed on the UK show's sets at Welford Park, England.

The Bakers

Baker Age
(on show debut)
Occupation
(on show)
Hometown Notes
Brian Emmett 43 Marketing Executive Itasca, Illinois Originally from Glendale Heights, Illinois
Carlo Fuda 35 Social Marketing Consultant Stamford, Connecticut Originally from Ellwood City, Pennsylvania
Darlene Pawlukowsky 51 Project Manager Johns Creek, Georgia Originally from Mt. Prospect, Illinois
Effie Sahihi 40 Attorney Hendersonville, Tennessee Born in Israel and raised in Winter Haven, Florida
Elaine Francisco 63 Retired Claremont, California
Francine Bryson 44 Homemaker Pickens, South Carolina Born in Greenville, South Carolina and raised in Wakulla, Florida.
James Reddick 26 Photographer Hollywood, California Originally from Indianapolis, Indiana
Jeremy Cross 35 Firefighter San Diego, California
Kolette Biddle 30 Home Health Care Provider Norco, California
Whitney Beery 21 College Student Lubbock, Texas Originally from Castle Rock, Colorado

Results summary

Elimination chart
Baker[12] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Brian SB WINNER
Darlene SB SB RUNNER-UP
Francine SB RUNNER-UP
Elaine SB SB OUT
James OUT
Effie OUT
Kolette OUT
Jeremy OUT
Whitney OUT
Carlo OUT

Color Key:

     The baker got through to the next round.
     The baker was the week's Star Baker.
     The baker was one of the judges' favorite bakers that week, but did not win Star Baker.
     The baker was one of the judges' least favorite bakers that week, but was not eliminated.
     The baker was eliminated out of the competition.
     The baker was the season runner-up.
     The baker was the season winner.

Episodes

Episode 1: "Pies & Tarts"

Episode one aired on May 29, 2013. The theme of the episode was sweet and savory pies and tarts.

For the signature bake, the bakers were given two hours to bake an American pie. On the technical bake, the bakers were required to bake a free-standing savory pie using Paul Hollywood's own recipe. The pie would be a hot water crust pastry and the bakers were given two hours. For the showstopper, the bakers needed to make 36 sweet tartlets within three hours.[13]

Color key:      Eliminated      Star Baker      Winner.

Baker Signature
(The All American Pie)
Technical
(Freestanding Savory Pie)
Showstopper
(36 Sweet Tartlets)
Brian Maple Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie 1st Raspberry & Dark Chocolate Tartlets
Carlo Ricotta Easter Pie 10th Calabrese "Pite" Tartlets
Darlene Sweet Potato Pie 9th Blooming Apple Tartlets
Effie Apple, Quince, Rose pie 6th Orange Almond Vanilla & Ricotta Tartlets
Elaine Peach Cobbler Pie 2nd Lemon Ginger Tartlets
Francine Peanut Butter Bacon Pie 3rd Chocolate Cherry Tartlets
James Mile High Apple Pie 8th Ricotta & Greek Yogurt Honey Tartlets
Jeremy Sweet Potato Pie 4th Kiwi, Mango & Blueberry Tartlets
Kolette Chocolate Hazelnut Pie 5th Goat Cheese & Cherry Tartlets
Whitney Lemon Meringue Pie 7th Rum Coconut Tartlets with Custard & Orange Zest

Episode 2: "Cookies"

Episode two aired on June 5, 2013. The theme of the episode was all kinds of cookies.

The bakers were set the challenge of baking 12 cookies in an hour and a half using their own recipe, and all the cookies baked should be presented to the judges. For the technical challenge, the bakers were required to make in two hours 18 S'mores using Marcela's recipe. For the final showstopper, the bakers were given four hours to bake 40 sandwich Macarons. They must be of two different types, have a delicate crisp shell and soft chewy center.[14]

Baker Signature
(Cookies)
Technical
(S'mores)
Showstopper
(40 Sandwich Macarons)
Brian Cakey Chocolate Chip Cookies 8th Coffee Cream and Mint Chocolate Macarons
Darlene Red Rose Crumbles 6th Black Sesame and Chocolate Cinnamon Macarons
Effie Rosemary Cherry Meyer Lemon Cookies 1st Saffron Rose and Curry Coconut Lime Macarons
Elaine Ginger Cookies 7th Coconut Ganache and Lemon Buttercream Macarons
Francine "Slap-Yo-Mama" Chocolate Fudge Cookies 2nd Drunken Orange and Raspberry Ganache Macarons
James Brutti ma Buoni with Hazelnut Glaze 9th Clementine and Earl Grey Macarons
Jeremy "Fat Pills" 5th Strawberry and Chocolate Peanut Butter Macarons
Kolette White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies 3rd Candied Ginger and Meyer Lemon Macarons
Whitney Soft Lemon Poppyseed Cookies 4th Mocha and Chai Macarons

Episode 3: "Cakes"

Episode three aired on June 12, 2013. The theme of the episode was cake.

The bakers were set to make a One-Layer Cake in 90 minutes in the signature bake. In the technical challenge, they were given two hours and fifteen minutes to bake a Chiffon Cake with Tequila Orange Glaze using Marcela's recipe. For the showstopper, the challenge was to make a Surprise Inside Cake where, when sliced open, a surprise design is revealed. The bakers were given five hours for the challenge.[15]

Baker Signature
(One-Layer Cake)
Technical
(Chiffon Cake)
Showstopper
(Surprise Inside Cake)
Brian Dark Chocolate Truffle Cake 5th All-American Hamburger Surprise Cake
Darlene Banana, Pineapple and Pecan Tiki-time Cake 4th Give a Dog a Bone Cake
Effie Orange Cardamom Pistachio Cake 7th I Love You to the Moon and Back Cake
Elaine Coconut Pineapple Upside-Down Cake 3rd Valentine's Day Cake
Francine Cherry Soda Pop Cake 1st Floating Hearts Cake
James Coffee Cake 2nd Underground Surprise Cake
Jeremy Cinnamon Chocolate Cake 6th Single layer Cherpumple Cake
Kolette Oatmeal Spice Cake 8th Check, Check, Check it out Cake

Episode 4: "Breads"

Episode four aired on June 19, 2013. The theme of the episode was bread and pastries.

For the signature bake, the bakers had three hours to make a free-form loaf of bread. The bread had to be yeast bread, and hand shaped. In the technical bake, the bakers were given one hour and 45 minutes to make eight large soft pretzels using Paul's recipe. Immediately following the technical challenge, the bakers went on to make the showstopper, which was two types of croissants, one plain and one filled. They were given two hours the first day, allowed the dough to rise overnight in the fridge, and then three hours the next day to finish the bake.[16]

Baker Signature
(Loaf of Yeast Bread)
Technical
(Soft Pretzels)
Showstopper
( 24 Croissants)
Brian Onion-Braided Loaf 3rd Plain and Ham & Chive-Filled Croissants
Darlene Twist-and-turn Pesto Wheel 1st Plain and Apricot & Pecan-Filled Croissants
Effie Enriched Challah Bread 6th Plain and Pear-Filled Croissants
Elaine Old-Fashioned Potato Loaf 4th Plain and Raspberry & White Chocolate-Filled Croissants
Francine Red Hot, Pecan, and Brown Sugar Loaf 2nd Plain and Date, Nut & Honey-Filled Croissants
James Prosciutto, Capicola, and Pepperoni Loaf 7th Plain and Chocolate-Filled Croissants
Kolette German Pumpernickel 5th Plain and Almond-Filled Croissants

Episode 5: "Desserts"

Episode five aired on June 26, 2013. The theme of the episode was sweet baked goods.

For the signature bake, the bakers must make 8 individual custards, either sweet like a crème brûlée, or using a more savory recipe. They had 90 minutes to finish the task. In the technical bake, the challenge was to bake a chocolate soufflé, however. As the soufflé can fall within minutes of coming out of the oven, the start time for the bakers was staggered so that each bake can be judged immediately after it was baked. The bakers were each given an hour and 45 minutes. For the final challenge, the bakers were required to produce a layered dessert featuring meringue in five hours.[17]

Baker Signature
(8 Custards)
Technical
(Chocolate Soufflé)
Showstopper
(Multi-layer Meringue Cakes)
Brian Jalapeño and Chorizo Custards 6th Almond Meringue Cake
Darlene Vanilla Custards 3rd Chocolate Meringue Cake
Effie Lime Pots de Creme 5th Hazelnut Meringue Creation
Elaine Crab and Fresh Corn Custards 2nd Nutty Meringue Stack
Francine Dreamsicle Custards 4th Raspberry, Lemon & Meringue Chiffon Cake
James Caramel Espresso Custards 1st Pavlova & Lemon Layer Cake with Berries

Episode 6: "Patisserie"

Episode six aired on July 3, 2013. It was the semi-finals of the competition. The theme of the episode was French pastries, often called patisserie.

The tarte tatin was the signature bake. The contestants were required to complete it in two hours and fifteen minutes. For the technical bake, the bakers were required to make 4 Napoleons, using Paul Hollywood's own recipe, in two and a half hours. For the showstopper, the contestants had to make a choux tower in four and a half hours.[18]

Baker Signature
(Tarte tatin)
Technical
(4 Napoleons)
Showstopper
(Choux tower)
Brian French Onion Tarte Tatin 1st Chocolate Mousse Choux Tower
Darlene Apple, Pear, Cranberry Tarte Tatin 3rd Orange & Grand Marnier Cream Choux Tower
Elaine Bartlett Pear Tarte Tatin 4th Chocolate Espresso Cream Choux Tower
Francine Peach Tarte Tatin 2nd Vanilla Cream Choux Tower
James Asian Pear Tarte Tatin 5th Chocolate & Orange Liqueur Cream Choux Tower

Episode 7: "Finale"

Episode seven aired on July 10, 2013. It was the finals of the competition. The theme was patriotism, with dishes that were all related to the United States.

The contestants could make anything for the signature bake but had to include the official state crop of Georgia, the peanut; they had a time limit of two hours thirty minutes. The contestants had two hours forty-five minutes to complete a Paul Hollywood recipe; a dozen Boston Cream Donuts. For the showstopper the final three contestants had five hours to make 72 miniature desserts inspired by the American flag; 24 mini-meringues, 24 mini-tarts and 24 mini-cakes.[19]

Baker Signature
(Peanuts)
Technical
(Dozen Boston Cream Donuts)
Showstopper
(72 miniature desserts)
Brian Vanilla Peanut Chiffon Roll with a Peanut Mousse Filling,
topped with Peanut Praline
3rd Whipped Cream filled Mini-Meringues with White Chocolate dipped Popcorn
Mascarpone Cream filled Mini-Tarts with berries
Raspberry White Chocolate Mini-Cakes with berries
Darlene Peanut Cake Roll with Peanut Cream Filling 1st 4 July Mini-Meringues with Pop Rocks Candy
Peach and Grit Mini-Tarts
Strawberry USA Mini-Cakes
Francine Spiced Peanut Peanut Butter Torte with a Cream Cheese
Filling and a Cookie Crumble Shell
2nd Blueberry Cream-Filled Mini-Meringues
Red, White & Blue Mini-Cakes covered in White Chocolate
Peaches and Cream Creampuffs pastries

Reception

Critical reception

The American Baking Competition has received mixed reviews from critics.

Liane Bonin Starr of HitFix stated that the series was "surprisingly nice" for a reality TV series. She felt that it was very mellow, so "it was up to judges Marcela Valladolid and Paul Hollywood to provide some acid to the recipe." She did appreciate the series's showcasing of the food, saying "what the show lacks in intensity it makes up for in food."[20]

TV Line's Michael Slezak described the series as "half-baked" stating that there was "not really enough time to focus on getting to know the players" or to get "a real insight into their baking philosophies." Additionally, the pilot's outcome was described as "as predictable as the use of butter in a pie crust." He expressed hope that "future instalments might take a few tips from various Food Network competition shows and put a little more emphasis on the actual dishes."[21]

Ratings

The series premiered to a disappointing 1.0 rating in the Adults 18-49 demographic and 5.11 million total viewers.[22] This made it the worst ever Wednesday premiere for a CBS show.[23] However, it rose in ratings for the first two weeks, a feat ratings experts called "extremely rare."[24] It had seemed like the series would be boosted by moving behind Big Brother on June 26, but it didn't end up that way, as the ratings were generally the same after the move.[25] The last two episodes did not help the series, as it went down slightly, a movement that was not good for the series's renewal prospects.[25] The show was cancelled in July 2013.[26]

Episode list
Episode Air date Rating / share
Households
Rating / share
18–49
Viewers
(millions)
Weekly ranking
18–49 Total viewers
1[22][27][28] May 29, 2013 3.4 / 6 1.0 / 3 5.11 41 27
2[29][30] June 5, 2013 3.1 / 6 1.1 / 4 4.73 >25 29
3[31][32][33] June 12, 2013 3.9 / 7 1.2 / 4 5.68 24 22
4[34][35][36] June 19, 2013 3.7 / 7 1.2 / 4 5.80 23 14
5[37][38][39] June 26, 2013 3.3 / 5 1.2 / 4 5.10 23 >25
6[40][41] July 3, 2013 1.1 / 4 4.70 23 19
7[42][43][44] July 10, 2013 3.1 / 5 1.1 / 3 4.83 >25 25

References

  1. 1 2 3 Bibel, Sara (March 5, 2013). "Jeff Foxworthy to Host 'The American Baking Competition' premiering Wednesday May 29 on CBS". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 16, 2013.
  2. "Catching up with baking champ Brian Emmett of Itasca". Daily Herald. July 31, 2013.
  3. "Bake Off star Paul Hollywood's US TV show cancelled". Hello Magazine. July 22, 2013.
  4. Stephens, Sarah (June 12, 2013). "VIDEO: Sneak Peek - Tonight's AMERICAN BAKING COMPETITION on CBS". TV world.com.
  5. 1 2 3 Bobbin, Jay (June 5, 2013). "'The American Baking Competition's' Jeff Foxworthy on firemen and pink macaroons". From Inside the Box. Zap2it. Retrieved July 1, 2013.
  6. 1 2 3 Ho, Rodney (May 29, 2013). "Can Jeff Foxworthy and 'The American Baking Competition' make a tasty CBS treat?". Access Atlanta. Cox Media Group. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  7. Goldberg, Lesley (April 2, 2013). "The Jeff Foxworthy-hosted series based on the U.K. format will bow May 29". The Hollywood Reporter.
  8. Rome, Emily (October 17, 2012). "CBS orders American version of ‘The Great British Bake Off’". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 16, 2013.
  9. Bibel, Sara (October 17, 2012). "CBS Orders New Reality Series 'Bake-Off'". TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  10. Bibel, Sara (November 14, 2012). "CBS's New Baking Competition Series is Looking for the Best Amateur Bakers in America". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 16, 2013.
  11. "UK Reality Hit ‘Great British Bake Off’ Getting Holiday-Themed Remake On ABC". Deadline. October 20, 2015.
  12. "Cast Bios for The American Baking Competition". CBS. April 11, 2013. Retrieved April 20, 2013.
  13. "Season 1: Episode 1". CBS. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
  14. "Season 1: Episode 2". CBS. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  15. "Season 1: Episode 3". CBS. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  16. "Season 1: Episode 4". CBS. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  17. "Season 1: Episode 5". CBS. Retrieved July 1, 2013.
  18. "Season 1: Episode 6". CBS. Retrieved July 4, 2013.
  19. "Season 1: Episode 7". CBS. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
  20. Starr, Liane Bonin (May 30, 2013). "'The American Baking Competition' is doughy but sweet". HitFix. HitFix Inc. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  21. Slezak, Michael (May 30, 2013). "American Baking Competition: Will You Go Back for a Second Helping?". TV Line. Blogger. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  22. 1 2 Bibel, Sara (May 30, 2013). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'MasterChef' & 'How to Live With Your Parents' Adjusted Up; 'Dateline' Adjusted' Down". TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  23. Bibel, Sara (May 30, 2013). "TV Ratings Wednesday: 'MasterChef' Steady, 'Healing in the Heartland' Decent, Soft Premieres for 'The American Baking Competition' & 'The Lookout'". TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  24. "Spotted Ratings, Wednesday 6/12/13". Spotted Ratings. Blogger. June 13, 2013. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  25. 1 2 "Spotted Ratings, Wednesday 6/26/13, 7/3/13, 7/10/13". Spotted Ratings. Blogger. July 12, 2013. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  26. "Hollywood's TV career in US is toast". Daily Mail. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  27. Porter, Rick (May 30, 2013). "TV ratings: 'Healing in the Heartland' concert and 'Masterchef' lead Wednesday". Zap2it.
  28. Berman, Marc (June 4, 2013). "Weekly Ratings Scorecard". TV Media Insights.
  29. Kondolojy, Amanda (June 6, 2013). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'MasterChef' and 'American Baking Competition' Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. Zap2it.
  30. Reiher, Andrea (June 6, 2013). "TV ratings: 'CSI' rerun and 'Masterchef' lead a quiet Wednesday". Zap2it.
  31. Bibel, Sara (June 13, 2013). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'MasterChef' Adjusted Up & Final Hockey Numbers". TV by the Numbers. Zap2it.
  32. Kondolojy, Amanda (June 25, 2013). "TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'NBA Finals' Tops Week 38 Viewing Among Adults 18-49 And With Total Viewers". TVbytheNumbers.
  33. Reiher, Andrea (June 13, 2013). "TV ratings: 2013 Stanley Cup Finals Game 1 up considerably over 2012". Zap2it.
  34. Kondolojy, Amanda (June 20, 2013). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'MasterChef' Adjusted Up + Final NHL Ratings". TV by the Numbers. Zap2it.
  35. Bibel, Sara (June 25, 2013). "TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'NBA Finals' Tops Week 39 Viewing Among Adults 18-49 And With Total Viewers". TVbytheNumbers.
  36. Porter, Rick (June 20, 2013). "TV ratings: Stanley Cup Finals and 'Masterchef' lead Wednesday". Zap2it.
  37. Porter, Rick (June 27, 2013). "TV ratings: 'Big Brother' premiere down from last year, 'Masterchef' leads 18-49 demo". Zap2it.
  38. Bibel, Sara (June 27, 2013). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'Big Brother' & 'MasterChef' Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. TV by the Numbers.
  39. Kondolojy, Amanda (June 25, 2013). "TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'NBA Finals' Tops Week 38 Viewing Among Adults 18-49 And With Total Viewers". TVbytheNumbers.
  40. Kondolojy, Amanda (July 8, 2013). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'Big Brother' & 'The Lookout' Adjusted Up; 'The American Baking Competition' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. TV by the Numbers.
  41. Kondolojy, Amanda (July 10, 2013). "TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'Under the Dome' Tops Week 41 With Adults 18-49 and Total Viewers". TVbytheNumbers.
  42. Porter, Rick (July 11, 2013). "TTV ratings: 'Camp' has so-so start as 'America's Got Talent' tops Wednesday". Zap2it.
  43. Bibel, Sara (July 12, 2013). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'America's Got Talent' & 'MasterChef' Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. TV by the Numbers.
  44. Kondolojy, Amanda (July 16, 2013). "BROADCAST TV SHOW RATINGS - WEEKLY TOP 25 TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'America's Got Talent' Tops Week 42 With Adults 18-49; 'Under the Dome' Wins With Total Viewers". TVbytheNumbers.

External links

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