Viewers show love for The Big Family Cooking Showdown in place of GBBO
The BBC’s new family-based cooking contest proves to be a hit with viewers ahead of Bake Off’s launch on Channel 4
Cookery show fans have shared their delight over The Big Family Cooking Showdown as the new BBC2 kitchen contest made its debut on Tuesday night.
Viewers tuned in to see Jean, Dan and Betty Charles crowned first winners and semi-finalists of the programme after beating other families in a series of three against-the-clock cooking challenges.
It was hosted and judged by a panel including presenter Zoe Ball, Great British Bake Off champion Nadiya Hussain, TV cook Rosemary Shrager and Michelin star chef Giorgio Locatelli.
Congratulations to Jean, Dan and Betty! Our first family through to the semi-final! #CookingShowdown pic.twitter.com/JBNcEEloUw
— BBC Two (@BBCTwo) August 15, 2017
For many it proved to be a welcome replacement for the Bake Off series, which previously launched around this time of year before moving to Channel 4.
One enthusiastic fan commented on Twitter: “Thanks @BBC for airing the show and coming up with the idea!! It’s going to be a BBC 1 show hit soon!! #CookingShowdown.”
Thanks @BBC for airing the show and coming up with the idea!! It’s going to be a BBC 1 show hit soon!! #CookingShowdown
— Freddie Shrager (@f_shrager) August 15, 2017
Another summarised: “Initial verdicts on #CookingShowdown seem to be mixed but I have to say I enjoyed it and was very good Tuesday evening viewing.”
Initial verdicts on #CookingShowdown seem to be mixed but I have to say I enjoyed it and was very good Tuesday evening viewing.
— Matti Colley (@matti_colley) August 15, 2017
Another posted: “Great show – think I’m hooked already. BTW @BegumNadiya is a little star! #cookingshowdown.”
Great show – think I’m hooked already. BTW @BegumNadiya is a little star! #cookingshowdown
— Len Copland (@Snapperlen) August 15, 2017
The comment came among a number that showered special praise on Hussain, whose Bake Off victory in 2015 gave her the footing to launch a successful cooking career that has already seen her write her own books and host her own shows.
Ball also thanked fans for their messages of approval after episode one, Tweeting: “Thank you for all the lovely messages & #CookingShowdown love tonight tweeps…see you next week”.
Thank you for all the lovely messages & #CookingShowdown love tonight tweeps see you next week
— Zoe Ball (@ZoeTheBall) August 15, 2017
But for some viewers were left disappointed as they said the showdown failed to live up to the Bake Off legacy.
One commented: “#CookingShowdown was basically daytime tv in the evening. Suspect the producers of the new #gbbo wont be losing any sleep over it.”
#CookingShowdown was basically daytime tv in the evening. Suspect the producers of the new #gbbo wont be losing any sleep over it.
— SteveNotHess (@Whydidhessfly) August 15, 2017
Another wrote: “Problem with #CookingShowdown IMHO is that it feels like it should be an afternoon show. Messy format without the charm of GBBO.”
Problem with #CookingShowdown IMHO is that it feels like it should be an afternoon show. Messy format without the charm of GBBO
— Sam Bridger (@marketingmog) August 15, 2017
Another simply wrote: “The BBC’s Big Family Cooking Showdown: oh dear! Sorry.”
The Big Family Cooking Showdown returns to BBC2 next Tuesday at 8pm.
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