“This is kinda like saying it’s French Week – and then baking Cornish pasties or Welsh Cakes or Strudel”
This week’s edition The Great British Bake Off has been called “ignorant” and “racist” by viewers, as bakers made dishes inspired by Chinese and Indian culture during the show’s first-ever ‘Japanese Week’.
This week’s theme was to bake creations inspired by Japan – but many viewers felt that their definitions of that were vague at best.
Konnichiwa! Join us tonight for Bake Off’s first ever Japanese Week! Tonight at 8pm on @Channel4. #GBBO pic.twitter.com/riWLnRHXA0
— British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) October 27, 2020
The first round tasked the contestants with making Japanese steamed buns, but several of them included Indian dhal or Chinese stir-fry flavours. Another baker made their buns resemble pandas, which are native to China.
The show came under fire on social media from viewers who saw several different Asian cultures lumped under the umbrella of ‘Japan’.
“Perhaps you should’ve called it ‘Asian Week’ or ‘Chinese Week’,” tweeted UK-based Japanese actress Naoko Mori.
Uh oh..
Fact: Steamed buns actually originate from China.
Chinese stir fry.. Fish sauce.. Coriander… = #NotJapanese
Perhaps you should’ve called it ‘Asian Week’ or ‘Chinese Week’ @Channel4 #GBBO
— Naoko Mori 森尚子 (@naoko_mori) October 27, 2020
“This is kinda like saying it’s French Week – and then baking Cornish pasties or Welsh Cakes or Strudel,” she went on to add in a follow-up tweet, and also called the episode “ignorant and racist”.
Dearest @BritishBakeOff @PaulHollywood @Channel4
So far, I’m a tad baffled (and saddened) as to why you called tonight’s #GBBO Japanese Week. 😔
This is kinda like saying it’s French Week – and then baking Cornish pasties or Welsh Cakes or Strudel… https://t.co/JTQsRsJ9Zo
— Naoko Mori 森尚子 (@naoko_mori) October 27, 2020
I am SO offended by tonight’s #GBBO So ignorant and racist.
You’d think in the age – and climate – they’d do better.
It not only insulted us Japanese, they’ve insulted the Chinese – and everyone’s intelligence.
— Naoko Mori 森尚子 (@naoko_mori) October 27, 2020
Mori’s take was shared by many other viewers of The Great British Bake Off.
“50% of contestants seem to be making Chinese inspired dishes in GBBO Japanese Week & I don’t currently have the energy to even explain why this is racist,” tweeted one viewer.
“Japanese week so she’s doing a panda and he’s doing a Chinese stir fry.” added another.
https://twitter.com/emmabelle_chan/status/1321181991430213636
“It’s Japan week here on Bake Off so Laura’s filling her buns with Chinese-style pork because, y’know, like whatever, right?” #GBBO
— Jenny Ong (@Jenny_Ong_Khoo) October 27, 2020
Japanese week so she's doing a panda and he's doing a Chinese stir fry. #GBBO pic.twitter.com/7CEhsiTkti
— thommurph (@thommurph) October 27, 2020
