Harry Potter: Magos Pasteleros

So so many negatives. Firstly, if you are expecting an equivalent of the GBBO, you will be sorely disappointed. This, it is not. It's way way stereotypically American (negative). The introduction of the guests, the pretending it's all true (I mean Harry Potter etc is real, but not the elements in the show...), the over the top excitement.... Ugh!

If you LOVE Harry Potter, you should love this. It's the only thing that saves it for me. But if you only like Harry Potter, i suspect this isn't for you. I laughed, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. But not for baking, not for the presentation (yes I love the Weasley twins, but not the actors as presenters), and not for the overall production. Just for the HP connection, :-)

What a delightful series to watch! I absolutely loved the variety of themes and the exciting guest appearances throughout the show.

The set design was incredible, truly capturing the magical atmosphere, and having the Weasley twins as hosts was the cherry on top. Honestly, what more could any fan ask for?

The contestants were equally amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing their unique stories, learning about their diverse backgrounds, and seeing how their love for Harry Potter inspired them. It was heartwarming to see how the magic of Harry Potter continues to resonate with the next generation.

The only downside? There just weren't enough episodes! Watching the show made me crave the cakes and dream of visiting the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London. What an enchanting experience that would be!

The concept of a professional Harry Potter cake contest is an intriguing idea. However, this show didn't do it for me. First, too many bakers introduced frantically. You do not get to know the contestants. It would have been better to introduce these teams in single file but that would have made the show even longer. It's already way too long. The viewer gets snippets of what these teams are doing. No real engagement with the team or the process. The cakes are amazing however. They are works of art. Most of them look tasty. Complicated artistry that won't show up at a kids birthday party. I ended up fast forwarding thru a lot of the show at 45 minutes. I'd probably whip thru the show to see what the next round of cakes look like.

Watching Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking feels less like a magical baking competition and more like a thinly veiled, expensive advert for their new cookbook. While the concept of combining the wizarding world with baking had so much potential, the execution is disappointingly transparent.

The show is painfully staged-every interaction feels scripted, and the supposed "competition" lacks any real tension or excitement. Contestants seem more like actors than bakers, and the emphasis is always on promoting the recipes from the cookbook rather than showcasing creativity or skill.

What's most disappointing, however, is the lack of Harry Potter magic. Aside from a few forced references and themed decorations, the show doesn't capture the wonder, charm, or atmosphere that made the franchise so beloved. Instead, it comes across as a soulless marketing ploy.

In the end, Wizards of Baking is neither an engaging competition nor a nostalgic trip back to Hogwarts. It's dull, uninspired, and, frankly, a missed opportunity. Fans looking for a touch of Potter magic will be sorely disappointed.

I thoroughly enjoyed this first episode. I didn't find it chaotic at all. I understood why the teams were introduced as they were. Beautifully representative works and I loved hearing everyone stories about their love and connection to the films. So great having the "Weasley Twins" as the hosts and Carla and Jozef as the judges. I thought the humor was just right - not corny or excessive. It was also great to see how laser-focused everyone was but also how supportive they were of one another. The tickets to get onto the train were an exciting element, as well. Can't wait for the rest of this season!