Baking and craft shows helped me through the year
I didn’t rise to the occasion of stress baking during the early days of lockdown: It felt like some bread recipes could satisfy a Fitbit with their seemingly endless number of steps. And although my mom recently hung a quickly drawn Christmas tree among her holiday decorations, she did so because she thought it was the handiwork of her 4year-old granddaughter, not her 34year-old kid.
So can I draw you like one of Jack’s French girls from “Titanic”? Negative. And with my lack of baking experience, I’d no doubt produce some soggy bottoms. But as we near the second anniversary of a global pandemic (omicron, oh my!), I am especially grateful for soothing crafting and baking shows, because sometimes the drama of a contestant’s broken royal icing cookie is all you can handle. And the moments of wonder and whimsy provided by their creations provides the perfect escape.
Thanks to all the makers for helping me make it through 2021. If you find yourself needing a half cup of calm, check out the shows below.
‘Baking It’ (Peacock)
Maya Rudolph and Andy Samberg jazz up this “Making It” spinoff, as the hosts indulge viewers with musical performances. Eight pairs of contestants
cook up sweet and savory dishes for a chance to win some cheddar. But the real stars are the “opinionated grandmothers” who serve as judges and deliver the kind of polite evaluations only sweet nanas can.
‘Blown Away: Christmas’ (Netflix)
Some of your favorite glass blowers are back. Five of the Netflix competition’s best return to create Christmasthemed works of art as they compete for a $10,000 prize for themselves (and an equal amount for their favorite charity). One of the finalists creates a winter scene so magical I just wanted to climb into the TV screen and take a stroll while “Winter Wonderland” played in the background.
‘Christmas Cookie Challenge’ (Food Network)
One time I thanked a boyfriend for “being my partner in ‘Christmas Cookie Challenge.’ ” That relationship didn’t last, but my love for this show did. The series has great pacing; you don’t have to slowly say goodbye to contestants throughout the season because each episode features five new bakers and crowns one champion. It’s quick and easy like break-and-bake cookies. The sweets specialists really bring their creativity, and hosts Ree Drummond and Eddie Jackson have a very cute chemistry.
‘The Great British Baking Show: Holidays’ (Netflix)
On your mark, get set, binge! “Ghosts of bakers past,” as show host Matt Lucas describes them, return to the tent for this two-part holiday special – one for Christmas bakes and one for New Year’s. Feast your eyes on Christmas puddings, illusion cakes and fruit crumbles!
‘Making It’ (Nbc.com, Hulu, Peacock)
Just the sight of Amy Poehler’s overalls and Nick Offerman’s beard that could surely construct its own teak dining table are enough to to make you exhale and say “Ahhh.” The crafting competition, in which eight “makers” compete for patches (and yes, cash) in challenges – some quick and others more elaborate – returned for its third season this summer. Among the impressive works made by the artisans: feel-good TV.
‘Meet Your Makers Showdown’ (Discovery+)
“This Is Us” getting crafty! Chrissy Metz hosts this new series, pitting four artists against each other in each of its themed episodes, celebrating paper art, fluid painting, stained glass, polymer clay, candle making and artisanal soap. Singer Leann Rimes and Mark Montano, author of “The Big-ass Book of Crafts,” serve as judges, joined by an expert in the field.
‘School of Chocolate’ (Netflix)
Yes, this show is technically a competition, but it’s unbelievably touching how much compassion accomplished chocolatier Amaury Guichon has for his students. Eight pastry chefs and chocolate artisans try to up their game and learn from Guichon, hoping to become “Best in Class.” When the pastry chef takes the time to work one-on-one with students after they fumble challenges, it’s enough to melt your heart.