Netflix has attempted to create its very own Great British Bake Off with Blue Ribbon Baking Championship, and viewers are ‘obsessed’.
Over the course of eight episodes, ten blue ribbon-winning bakers from state fairs across the US will battle it out for the chance to win $100,000 (£75,600) and the biggest ‘Best In Fair’ blue ribbon ever.
The competition is judged by cake experts Sandra Lee, Bill Yosses and Bryan Ford, and hosted by a ’00s Hollywood star who’s, uh, intimately familiar with the ins and outs of baking – American Pie actor Jason Biggs.
Jason, 46, is best known for playing Jim Levenstein in the raunchy high school comedy and three of its (many) sequels.
In the film’s most infamous scene – from which it gained its title – nervous virgin Jim attempts to gauge what it might be like to lie with a woman… by making love to a pie.
The Blue Ribbon Baking Championship, thankfully, is in on the joke. ‘Take it from someone who knows,’ Jason quips during the show’s introduction, ‘that is a very attractive slice.’
Speaking to USA Today, Jason described how he came to be involved in hosting a baking competition.
‘I’ve really wanted to host something in the food world. Of course, there’s the wink at the camera and the audience with me as a baking show host. And whenever I can’t think of something to say, I always have a pie joke in my back pocket that brings the house down,’ he said.
‘There were no pies harmed in the making of this show. It’s safe for repeat viewing,’ he joked.
Bakes featured in the show include innovative apple-based desserts, cotton candy cupcakes and, yes, a classic pie challenge.
Its pool of judges includes author and TV personality Sandra Lee (who won a blue ribbon herself at a 1992 state fair), White House pastry chef Bill Yosses, and master baker Bryan Ford.
Its contestants include a varied bunch of amateur pastry chefs, small business owners, and ambitious food competition winners hoping to bag the big prize.
After tuning into the series, which landed on the streamer last month, viewers have noticed its similarities with GBBO.
They’ve praised the series for filling a hole in their viewing schedules, while they wait for the Channel 4 show to return.
‘I immediately go through Bake Off withdrawal as soon as each season is over so I’m happy to find something with similar vibes lol,’ wrote Carraperio on Reddit.
While Jrschobert believes it cannot compete with the beloved GBBO, he appreciates its existence nonetheless: ‘It is an awesome change of scenery from GBBO, not nearly as good but it doesn’t have to be.
‘It’s new, well done and entertaining. A perfect watch for those looking to scratch that baking competition show itch when looking for something in the same vein.’
Hateorade80, who’s Reddit name suggests that there are a harsher critic, said: ‘Its like if GBBO and <seasonal> Baking Championship had a baby.
‘Personally, i thought it’s alright to scratch the BO itch, but definitely not as good.’
Tinkrb was excited after recently discovering it and posted on X that she was instantly ‘obsessed’.
‘The Blue Ribbon Baking Championship on @netflix is SO good! The cast is fabulous and the aesthetics are very pleasing. Looking forward to a second season!’ added Ginger.
Jason’s involvement in the show comes 25 years after he found fame in American Pie. Since starring in the 1999 comedy classic, he went on to appear as Jim in three sequels.
Outside of his signature franchise, he also appeared as Larry Bloom in Orange is the New Black, the 2019 movie Jay and Silent Bob Reboot, and episodes of the US crime drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
Earlier this year, he reunited with screen father Eugene Levy as the comedy icon, 77, claimed his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In January 2008, Jason married his My Best Friend’s Girl co-star Jenny Mollen, and was married in April that year.
The pair have two sons together, Sid and Lazo, born in 2014 and 2017 respectively.
The star showcased his food-hosting ambitions as the star of Dinner and a Movie along with wife Jenny – introducing films such as Aquaman, Crazy Rich Asians and The Greatest Showman, along with behind-the-scenes trivia, celebrity guests and a potluck with friends.
Blue Ribbon Baking Championship is available to watch on Netflix
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