Market Research

Junior Bake Off

Junior Bake Off is a childrens baking competition, featuring 9 to 12 year olds. The first four series aired on CBBC. Each episode featured four bakers, with one winner who would progress through the competition. From series 5 onwards, it is presented by comedian Harry Hill.  According to reviews, his humour is sometimes lost on the children; however, a fun personality like himself is ideal for a kids show.

REVIEWS

On IMDB, Junior Bake Off scores mostly positive reviews - praising the judges and children on the show. Some reviews show negativity towards the host Harry Hill. 

It is therefore important we find a host who will be popular with the audience. We can acheive this through focus groups and test screenings / pilots. Sticking with the Masterchef format, we could hire a personality from the show or another family entertainment host such as Ben Shephard or Bradley Walsh. The latter is an extremely popular character with a good sense of humour. 

One review mentions how they cry with the children when they are eliminated from the competition. 

"I find myself crying with the kids selected to go home have to leave. Even when the kids can hold back the tears, I cry for them. But these are amazing bakers and I think they have great futures ahead of them."

A good TV show should be rooted in a strong emotional core. Being able to connect to characters (or in this instance contestants) and share in their emotions can help drive audience engagement. The Antichefs should not shy away from allowing the natural heart of the children, families and their stories from shining through. Without going over-the-top (like X Factor or Britains Got Talent) we should paint stories that allow the audience to connect to the children on screen.

Masterchef Junior

A similar format to Junior Bake Off and the main Masterchef show. Featuring 8 to 13 year olds. 

Skills Test 

Cooks are challenged to prepare foods in accordance with a list of common cooking techniques or styles, or to replicate a particular cooking method of a dish

Mystery Box

Cooks are all given a box with the same ingredients and must use only those ingredients to create a dish within a fixed amount of time. Dishes selected based on appearance and technique before tasting.

Elimination Test

Judges evaluate all dishes based on taste and visual appeal and nominate the worst dishes for elimination.

Team Challenge

The cooks are split into teams, often in a restaurant. Diners taste both meals and vote for their favourite. 

Pressure Test

Dishes created in a limited amount of time, and scored based on the techniques, not losing cooking finesse.