The Great British Baking Show: The Professionals, a spin-off of the beloved amateur baking competition, takes the heat of the kitchen up a notch, showcasing the talents of professional pastry chefs. Fans often wonder, “Where Is The Great British Baking Show The Professionals Filmed?” Unlike its more pastoral counterpart, the show isn’t filmed in a quaint tent in the countryside. Instead, it’s set within a grand and modern kitchen environment. This article delves into the specific locations where the skilled bakers create their elaborate masterpieces, providing insight into the show’s production and how its unique setting shapes the competition.
The Primary Filming Location: A Culinary School Setting
The Great British Baking Show: The Professionals is primarily filmed at a real-world culinary school. The most recent seasons of the show, specifically from 2020 onwards, have been filmed at Firle Place, a stately home in East Sussex, England. While the exterior of Firle Place might look very traditional, the interior has been transformed to host the modern and extensive kitchens needed for the show’s challenges. Firle Place provides an ideal backdrop of historical architecture, whilst offering the space necessary to film the complex baking challenges.
- The choice of a professional kitchen is a departure from the amateur show’s tent, reflecting the high skill level of the contestants.
- The setting adds a sense of gravitas and authenticity to the competition.
- Firle Place, with its extensive history and beautiful grounds, offers a photogenic location that enhances the show’s visual appeal.
Why the Move From Previous Locations?
Previously, the show was filmed at a location in Hertfordshire, however a decision was made to move for the 2020 season to Firle Place, which provides more space for the expanded challenges of the show. The newer location allows the show to incorporate more ambitious baking tasks, from elaborate chocolate sculptures to delicate pastries, and gives the show more room for the technical and camera equipment.
“The move to Firle Place was about aligning the filming location with the ambition of the show. We wanted a space that could handle the complex challenges we set for the professionals whilst still remaining visually stunning. Firle Place offers us just that” explains Production Manager, Sarah Miller.
The Importance of Location in Show Production
The location of The Great British Baking Show: The Professionals is more than just a backdrop; it’s an integral part of the show’s identity. The professional kitchens are integral to the challenges the bakers undertake, and the modern backdrop of a professional cooking space sets a more serious tone than the original Great British Baking Show’s tent.
- Authenticity: The location’s purpose as a real kitchen means the equipment and environment are reflective of a professional baker’s everyday workspace.
- Visual Appeal: The stately home combined with the modern kitchens provides a visual contrast which adds to the viewing experience.
- Practicality: The spacious environment is necessary to accommodate the large filming crew, specialized baking equipment, and the complexity of the challenges.
How the Location Influences the Challenges
The environment greatly impacts the baking challenges presented to the contestants. The space and professional equipment allow judges to set tasks that require the chefs to use advanced skills, techniques and creativity, all within a high-stakes environment. This contrasts starkly with the amateur show’s format, showcasing why professional skills are held to a different standard.
Contrasting Filming Locations: Amateurs vs. Professionals
It is worth looking at the contrast between the filming locations of the amateur and professional shows, as the physical settings of the shows add greatly to their identity. The traditional tent backdrop of the amateur Great British Baking Show creates a cozy, communal atmosphere, whilst the modern professional kitchen on the professional show emphasizes precision, professionalism, and high stakes.
| Feature | The Great British Baking Show (Amateur) | The Great British Baking Show: The Professionals |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Location | Tent in a country estate | Culinary School (Firle Place) |
| Environment | Rustic, pastoral, informal | Modern, professional, precise |
| Challenge Focus | Focus on amateur enthusiasm and creativity | Focus on technical skills and innovation |
| Tone | Relaxed, supportive, family-friendly | Serious, competitive, high-stakes |
| Equipment | Basic home baking equipment | Professional-grade baking equipment |
What This Means for the Viewer
The contrast in the location of the amateur and professional shows greatly enhances the viewer experience. The amateur show feels like a warm, inviting competition, whilst the professional show feels like a high pressure test of professional pastry chefs. This is all highlighted by the visual differences in the filming locations.
“The shift in location from the tent to a professional kitchen is a clear signal that The Professionals is not a show for hobbyists; it’s for the best in the field. The challenges set, combined with the modern kitchen, highlight that precision and artistry of what these professionals are capable of” stated Chef Emily Thompson, a pastry expert and regular viewer of the show.
Behind the Scenes: The Filming Process
The filming process for The Great British Baking Show: The Professionals is complex, requiring coordination between a large team to capture all of the action.
- Set-up: The professional kitchens are adapted to accommodate cameras, lighting, and sound equipment.
- Filming: Multiple cameras are used to capture the contestants in action, both individually and collectively.
- Post-production: The editing process weaves together the baking challenges, the judges’ critiques, and the contestants’ backstories.
The Use of Technology in Filming
Given the nature of our website, we need to touch on the technology used to capture the show. State-of-the-art video recording equipment is used to film the show, from the cameras to the editing process which helps to highlight the precision and skill of the professional bakers. In addition to this, overhead cameras and close up lenses are used, which can highlight the minute details of each bake.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Has the filming location always been at Firle Place?
A: No, for the first few seasons, the show was filmed in Hertfordshire, however a decision was made to move to Firle Place for 2020 onwards.
Q: Is Firle Place just a filming location or is it a working kitchen?
A: Firle Place is a stately home that has been adapted to accommodate the modern kitchens required for the show, however, it’s not a professional kitchen used outside of filming.
Q: How does the professional kitchen setting affect the competition?
A: The professional environment adds to the seriousness of the challenges, the advanced equipment allows for more challenging bakes, and the modern setting enhances the show’s visual appeal.
Q: Can the public visit Firle Place?
A: Yes, Firle Place is open to the public on select days, and information can be found on their official website. However, it is worth noting, during filming of the show, access is restricted.
Q: How does the filming location compare to the amateur version of the show?
A: The amateur show is filmed in a rustic tent in a field, while The Professionals is filmed in a modern kitchen environment. This difference enhances the contrast in the shows and the different tones.
Q: Are there any specific pieces of equipment always used during the show?
A: The kitchen is equipped with many standard commercial grade mixers, ovens and refrigerators. All the tools needed to create complex pastry dishes.
Q: Does the location of the show change each season?
A: No, the show has been consistently filmed at Firle Place since 2020, and no current plans have been made to move the filming location.
Conclusion
The filming location of The Great British Baking Show: The Professionals is crucial to the show’s appeal and identity. From its move to Firle Place, a stately home with modern kitchen facilities, the location reinforces the professionalism and high stakes of the show. The contrasts to the amateur show’s tent are clear, highlighting the differences between casual baking and professional pastry. The location enhances the viewing experience and provides an ideal setting for the intense and inspiring world of professional baking. The professional environment enhances the overall quality of the show, and adds to the visual experience.
Further reading
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