Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking

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.

After a few episodes I came to wonder how much the guest judges influence the decision. Also some of the feedback they give is the same a 3rd grader would give. You would think they would have gotten some kind of coaching. Also, Evanna Lynch is a judge who is vegan, so she can't eat the bakes...make it make sense.

Regardless of my issues with the above, the show is great and brings to life some of the most iconic scenes in all of Harry Potter. I hope they make more seasons and have a run like GBBO. There is so much opportunity to explore hundreds of other avenues with this show. Maybe some better guest judges will help too lol.

The first episode was torture: introducing teams in a staggered, ridiculous fashion, judging based on I don't know what, special effects and "decor" painfully overdone (especially having contestants move locations to get judged, based on nothing).

I did NOT like it, but will give it one more chance and watch the second episode. I'll update this review afterwards. Right now, it's not looking good.

Have none of these producers/show runners ever seen GBBS or The Great Pottery Throwdown? Both those shows are to be emulated as they have winning formulas that engender loyalty and popularity.

But NOOOOO! Producers think we're too stupid, don't have attention spans that can focus (apparently we're all 3 year olds) and generally have no respect for anyone. The only thing that matters is the $$$ they're hoping for.

Update: I've watched 2 more episodes and I'm done. Rating can stay the same as it hasn't gotten worse, but it also hasn't gotten appreciably better.

The worst thing is the shallowness of the interactions between the hosts, judges and contestants. GBBS and The Great Pottery Throwdown have spoiled me. Too bad they can't all just relax and let their personalities come through. The Harry Potter theme is great, the food looks fine, the contestants skills are also fine, but that's not enough to hang a baking show on.

This is a FAIL for me.

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.

Not bad, but the first episode seemed a little all over the place. I think they could have thought up a better format for the first episode, as it comes across quite disjointed.

Still, I'm hoping that as the season progresses, the strangely fragmented format will mend itself and become a bit more fluid.

I loved seeing all the Harry Potter-themed creations coming to life - some of them were really exceptional.

Oliver and James were a great choice for hosts, they slot into the vibe really well.

I'm going to stick with it as I've got a feeling that, now the introductions are out of the way, it will find its feet. We'll have to wait and see.