The Great British Bake Off - Why Does It Offend Some People?

[sp1814]

Appparently having eight out of the twelve contestants being of white Northern European extraction isn't enough. The BBC had the audacity to include two from Asian background, a biracial woman and a bloke from S.E. Asia.

One of the contestants had tattoos, which was enough for Quinten Letts to remark on (only God knows why)!

If this is evidence of the BBC 'box ticking', what is the answer? Should competitions such as these be open only to those who can prove their Britishness going back ten generations?

And does this suggest that those on the political right secretly believe that if you have brown skin, any success you may have is nothing to do with your skills or qualities, but because of preferential treatment (ie. if you're not white, you're not as good)?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-3178064/I-adore-Great-British-Bake-does-right-Asks-QUENTIN-LETTS.html

[EcclesCake]

It doesn't matter what the demographic distribution is someone, somewhere will pick holes in it.

[ethandron]

My husband is the only person who bakes in this house, I've not baked in years. He loves the scientific fiddliness of the whole process, it just annoys me, but I do enjoy the end result. He makes and decorates a Christmas cake every year, and his Christmas puddings are legendary, they have even been enjoyed in Sweden!
Likewise, one off my sons enjoys baking too, he won first prize in his works great British bake off a couple of years ago.
Neither have ever made flapjacks though ;o)

[mushroom25]

surely the bbc can only feature contestants from a pool of people who have actually applied - can't they? or am i missing something, maybe producers drag random ethnics off the street to tick their boxes?

[naomi24]

I’m not sure I understand where this question is coming from or what answers are expected. If I’ve read it correctly there seems to be two separate issues going on here. On the one hand minority groups have been complaining for years about being under-represented but if Mr Letts is right and a concerted effort has been made to be seen to include them in this programme, the non-white contingent are now asking if they’re receiving preferential treatment simply because they are perceived to be “not as good” as white people. Where did that come from? I’m confused.

[joggerjayne]

The Great British Bake Off should just feature a load of middle aged women, who should also play Bridge, be members of the WI, and be friends of one's mother.

Oh, and maybe a token young, enthusiastic chap, and an elderly bloke who's a bit useless.

And our local superstar baker, Cathryn Dresser.

[Svejk]

I never watch crap. But if this is on the BBC, you can bet any white people have something else wrong with them.

[sp1814]

ummm

Yes, it's true that most professional chefs are men, but this competition is for amateurs.

[sp1814]

Sjevk

Something wrong with them?

Can you clarify?

[sp1814]

naomi24

My question is based on Quinten Lett's comments about box ticking.

Have a look at the story in the Mail - it will all make sense.

Basically, it seems that people are not happy about the mix of people on the show because it features people who are not white, people with tattoos and a woman who works out.

I'm asking - is this a problem for anyone here??

[ummmm]

sp....it's something I probably wouldn't notice.

[murraymints]

am I the only person in the universe that has not, and never will, watch this ?

[Svejk]

Disabled, gay, vote labour. To be honest, I only said it to make you happy.

[mccfluff]

i just want to look at pastries and cakes..... having BFG as the showstopper was amazing, i wanted to lick the telly

don't give a stuff what people look like, can they cook, is what i'm interested in

and are there elephants in the black forest....

[mccfluff]

mind you wearing a hat, to cook, in a hot tent..... silly

[anotheoldgit]

sp1814

/// There are twelve contestants on the show, and half are men. That's a surprisingly high number - how many men have you met who have impressed you with their flapjacks? ///

And why shouldn't they be that amount of men, do they not represent 50% of the population?

But if you are referring to their cooking abilities, there should be a higher proportion of men, because it is a known fact that men make better cooks than men.

Take Chefs for instance, more Chefs are male.

[anotheoldgit]

Not enough whites represented in the Notting-Hill Carnival, something must be done.

http://www.standard.co.uk/incoming/article9653272.ece/alternates/w620/notting%20hill%20carnival%201975%20.jpg

[andy-hughes]

murraymints - //am I the only person in the universe that has not, and never will, watch this ? //

No, I have never watched it, and never will - because I don't watch any 'food' programmes because food does not interest me in the slightest.

But to the Question in hand - I think Mr Letts knows his audience well, and knows how to push buttons to get readers - and that's fine, it's his job.

If he chooses to manufacture a 'controversy' where clearly none exists, I think we should do the sensible thing and ignore him - and the programme, as an equal waste of valuable time for those who are simply not bothered about any aspect of either.

[naomi24]

SP, I understand the issue that Mr Letts has raised – what I don’t understand is your question //does this suggest that those on the political right secretly believe that if you have brown skin, any success you may have is nothing to do with your skills or qualities, but because of preferential treatment (ie. if you're not white, you're not as good)?//

You haven't suggested that the other minorities may have been given preferential treatment because they aren't as good as people who aren't members of a minority group. Why apply that question solely the non-whites?

[anotheoldgit]

andy-hughes

/// No, I have never watched it, and never will - because I don't watch any 'food' programmes because food does not interest me in the slightest. ///

Not interested enough, not to want to eat it?

Andy you must be starving. :0)

[andy-hughes]

AOG - ///// No, I have never watched it, and never will - because I don't watch any 'food' programmes because food does not interest me in the slightest. ///

Not interested enough, not to want to eat it?

Andy you must be starving. :0) //

I see your point - but I find food about as interesting as oxygen - but equally vital, so I do ingest, but a simple pill giving me all the nutrients I needed would be just fine.