And Sometimes I Sit on the Sidelines and Watch

There is no question how much I love baking. I love the smell of developed yeast. I love the beauty of a perfectly executed pastry. I love how well baked goods pair with my other love... coffee. I love how sugar and chocolate make the world seem a little brighter.

My raspberry chiffon pie from year one of baking school

However, I hate baking. I hate that I can't manage to bake in my tiny kitchen without it looking like a bomb exploded. I hate that baking makes a slew of dishes that I'm expected to clean. I hate that recipes for baking are measured in the dozens... and who wants to make a dozen scones without having people to share the joy with? I hate that every health source says that baking is the devil incarnate, using the curse words of sugar, gluten, trans fat, and carbohydrates.

(Seriously, trying to be healthy takes all the joy out of baking.)

But I've found an indulgence that doesn't require tasting or washing. (Although, be warned! It will make you want to taste and bake to your heart's content.) I can sit at home and watch British amateur bakers on TV. PBS just aired the second episode of The Great British Baking Show which highlights a specialty in the baking field each week, subtracting one baker from the lot until one lucky, skilled individual is crowned Star Baker. I was hooked after the first episode because it highlights the fact that anybody can cultivate the skills needed for greatness in the kitchen while maintaining the science behind perfect bakes and how difficult perfection can be to achieve.

After the first episode ended, I needed more. There is a whole season I'm devouring on Amazon Prime streaming. But there had to be more than that, right?

Right. In the grand tradition of immigrants coming across the pond to America, the name was changed. In England, it airs as The Great British Bake-Off. I'll be scouring the internet to find every episode I can. This way, for a little while at least, my kitchen can stay clean.