The Great British Baking Show: Season 1

Product came quickly and in great condition. Bake off is part of my stress management so I'm grateful to have the season "1" for whenever I want to view it. I bought 2 and 3 as well.

Instantly hooked on this series! We don't have network or cable "TV" ; I knew nothing about this show until viewing episodes this winter while visiting family. Since then I've bought all the seasons available in the U.S. on DVD!As a long time foodie & cook, I initially thought the FOOD would be the primary reason to watch it. I'm not a fan of reality TV so somewhat surprised by how engaged I became with the individuals on the show, from presenters to judges and particularly the contestants, as they progress through the weeks of competition. Although the competition is spirited, I find the old-fashioned friendly atmosphere between the bakers REFRESHING (sometimes they even lend a hand to one another.) I don't always agree with who should be "Star Baker" or who is next in line to be cut as competition progresses but overall find Mary & Paul's judging to be correct and fair. AND who doesn't love Mel and Sue (and Sue's great delivery of food puns?) Favorite seasons to watch are the U.S. Season One (Martha, Luis, Kate & Jane including the sad Diana-Iain Baked Alaska conflict) and my top favorite is U.S. Season Three (Tamal, Paul, Nadia, Ian, Matt & the feisty Ugne - a great group of contestants who had me in tears at the end) These seasons make GREAT GIFTS to fellow cooks!From start to finish, the show format is simply charming & I've learned some wonderful presentation techniques. With the shake up of judges & presenters this past year, I hope the new season(s) retain that charm. I didn't care for the few episodes of the American Baking Show nearly as much but it also didn't get aired long enough for producers to perfect. Finally, my only complaint to whoever is in charge of these things is that Mary & Paul's "MASTERCLASS" is NOT AVAILABLE on DVD (followup demonstrations to the GBBS episodes) and the mountain area we live in doesn't have the juice to view these from AMAZON so I don't have the option to view or buy them.

Fellow US Viewers:If you've watched our cooking and baking competition shows and wondered, "Why is everyone so mean? Why are they so loud? Why is this scene of people icing cupcakes overlain by a death metal guitar riff?" this may be the series to show you that this format can have kind contestants, a measured pace, personable hosts, and informative asides while remaining compelling TV.If you want to learn some new methods, tricks, and facts while rooting for talented and truly likeable people (who, probably importantly, are allowed to stay likeable in that they are very much competing against the challenge constraints and their own skill rather than being directly pit against one another), give The Great British Baking Show [UK name: The Great British Bake Off] a try.An ending note: I watched and enjoyed each of these as they aired on PBS. When the series was done, I sought for a legal way to watch previous seasons (purely ethical reasons notwithstanding, some jobs frown upon piracy). Alas, they don't seem to be available in the US aside from some sketchy YouTube uploads.I hope that Amazon works magic with the BBC to get rights. Even if they couldn't swing getting them on Prime, there are those of us who would gladly pay.

If you enjoy baking and enjoy British programming you will likely love this show. I found that once I started watching I wanted to see more. Sadly only four Series/Seasons are available in the US. It would be nice if all 7 series were available here. In the UK the show is known as The Great British Bake Off; in the US it is presented by PBS as the The Great British Baking Show. Anyone who watches British programming knows how confusing it can be when the Series & Seasons don't match up.Here is a list of Series/Seasons available in the US with the years and a few examples of the contestants: UK Series 4 = Season 1 (2013 Kimberly, Frances, Ruby). UK Series 5 = US Season 2 (2014 Luis, Martha, Richard, Nancy). UK Series 6 = US Season 3 (2015 Nadiya, Flora, Tamal). UK Series 7 = US Season 4 (2016 Selasi, Candice, Andrew). I hope this helps clarify any confusion about which Season you are actually watching before you purchase.

This is by far the most interesting and entertaining show ever to have graced the air waves. Paul Hollywood, one of the judges, has an incredible knowledge base and expertise of baking of breads, cakes, pastries, etc., and the science of baking. The contestants ("ameteurs") are clean, with no body piercing, or tatoos all over their bodies (unlike the American tv series "chopped"), lending it even more credence and the serious attitudes of doing one's upmost in preparing their own unique and beautiful baked goods. There are no cuss words or using the Lord's name in vain, which I find truly refreshing. It takes place in England with its beautiful landscaping of the English gardens, that takes one's breath away. The show is done professionallly, and yet is entertaining, because it is just pure fun! Even the music is beautiful and appropriate. It's the best thing going for tv now, and I hope that it will continue for a long time to come.

Really enjoyed this series. Lots of bakes that I'd never seen before. Constructive critiques by the judges. Recipes available on the BBC site if you find something you want to try. NO screaming and histrionics...just lots of great baking!

My wife's a fan. Didn't think would enjoy it, but we watched ti together and I really loved it.

Loved it - Love everyone involved Mary, Paul, Sue and Mel. Wish I could get the very first Season released in Britain.

As always, I love any episode of the Great British Bake-Off, but this DVD (as well as seasons 2 and 3) are incorrectly titled.This is not season1, it is season 5.

I love the imagination of the bakes.