Nigella Lawson Warned 'Don't Overdo It' Ahead of Bake Off Judging Debut
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- Mantan kontestan Bake Off, Howard Middleton, menyarankan Nigella Lawson untuk mengatur ritme makan saat menjadi juri, karena godaan kue yang melimpah.
- Middleton juga mengungkapkan penyesalannya tidak mempersiapkan diri lebih matang dan kurang menikmati pengalaman selama kompetisi.
- Debut Nigella sebagai juri di Channel 4 pada 22 September mendatang diprediksi membawa perubahan dinamika penjurian bersama Paul Hollywood.
Nigella Lawson will make her debut as a judge on The Great British Bake Off on 22 September on Channel 4. But before she takes her seat on the judging panel alongside Paul Hollywood, a former contestant has offered a gentle warning: don't overdo it when tasting the contestants' bakes.
Howard Middleton, who competed in 2013, jokingly advised Nigella to watch her eating pace. According to him, the temptation of the desserts presented by the contestants could make a new judge lose control. "I think she needs to be aware that there is an awful lot to try," Middleton told BANG Showbiz, as quoted from an exclusive interview.
Middleton, known for innovative creations such as gluten-free sandwich cakes and a tea-flavoured biscuit tower, also noted that the show's filming involves many people behind the scenes. The crew, from runners to sound technicians, often end up eating the contestants' creations. "If you knew how many crew there are, they will just wolf them down or take them home," he added.
In the interview, Middleton also shared his regrets from taking part in the competition. He felt underprepared and too nervous to enjoy the process. "I wish I could have been calmer and not so worried," he recalled. He added that even though he appeared confident, the anxiety was still there.
"I think you can get through because of your baking experience, but also because of the different personalities. Sometimes you feel you're good enough, when there are still gaps in your knowledge," Middleton said.
For Indonesian viewers, The Great British Bake Off may not be a mainstay, but the phenomenon reflects how culinary reality shows keep evolving. In Indonesia, cooking competitions such as MasterChef Indonesia and Hell's Kitchen also have loyal fan bases. The arrival of a new judge often changes the dynamics of judging and audience expectations. Nigella Lawson, known for her relaxed yet critical style, is expected to bring a new flavour to the scoring.
Beyond that, the show's success in the international market shows the potential of culinary formats to be adapted in various countries. In Indonesia, television stations and streaming platforms are increasingly producing similar content, signalling strong market interest. However, the main challenge is preserving the authenticity and quality of local dishes so they stay relevant.
With Nigella's debut only days away, the public is curious whether she can maintain high judging standards while still captivating viewers. Will her presence change the winning recipe of Bake Off, or add a new dimension to an already iconic competition? Time will tell, but one thing is certain: the contestants must be ready for sharp criticism as well as praise from a charismatic new judge.
