Bill Yassis and Brian Ford discuss Blue Ribbon Baking Championship, interview

As Blue Ribbon Baking Championship captivates Netflix viewers, Chef Bill Yassis and artisan baker Brian Ford bring their discerning palates and keen eye to the judging table. During a recent conversation with the pair, they commented on the creativity, complexity, and cultural relevance that this food television show offers.

With baking competitions, the screen pops with vibrant colors and visually compelling treats. While there can be the occasional misstep, the reality is that wining moments always outweigh the mistakes.

With Blue Ribbon Baking Championship, the concept is unlike other shows on television. Created by Sandra Lee, the show feels like a slice of Americana. With so many nostalgic food moments taking over the conversation, this food show captures what people are craving.

Recently, FoodSided spot with Chef Bill Yassis and baking artist Brian Ford. As Jason Biggs said, the pair impressed him at the judges table.

When asked how he thought people would react to the new Netflix show, Chef Yassis, who served as a White House pastry chef, said, “I can’t imagine why somebody didn’t come up with this idea before. The State Fair is such a cherished part of our tradition. It has been around our country for 250 years. It is something that I think most of us who grew up in rural areas really looked forward to and loved.”

That strong bond to regional flavors, specialty dishes, and just the homey qualities of the State Fair comes through in Blue Ribbon Baking Championship. But, it is more than just grandma’s recipe wrapped in a pretty bow. The evolution of the American culture is equally important.

As Brian Ford said, “I think at the end of the day, everyone that baked on this show used their family, their story, their history and their upbringing as a motivating factor. Everyone was putting their all into the competition. There is a lot of family and cultural history put into everything that the contestants were baking. You will have to watch and see for yourself to see how people make those connections. We definitely felt that sentiment when we were eating the baked goods."

While the two judges may not have put ingredients into the stand mixer, they appreciated the storied, the uniqueness, and the connections that these bakers had with their desserts. When a good recipe is sprinkled with love, the flavor is even greater.

As Chef Yassi shared, “as a chef, I’ve always been interested in regional specialties. Every region, every state has their own kind of special pastry, dessert, or baked good. Being able to see that interpreted through these bakers’ eyes was really interesting.”

Hungry to see all the delectable treats that these impressive bakers served the judges? All episodes of Blue Ribbon Baking Championship can be streamed on Netflix.