She’s fine, but she’s no Mary Berry.
I struggle to think of an elderly female British cookery icon who might replace her.
I see she is on PBS this weekend.
Why elderly? They should go all out and get Nigella Lawson!
Just to continue the theme after Mary Berry and Prue Leith. Nigella is 65 - so a spring chicken from where I’m sat but many might well have her down as elderly.
Anne Willan? She’s 87, so qualifies as elderly.
I had to Google Anne Willan - I’d not previously come across her.
To save others the Google:
She’s an Englishwoman who did the unthinkable……had a successful cooking school (La Varenne) in France.
I came across her many years ago (when I was very much a foodie, but was learning to boil water), when I picked up one of her books, called “French Cookery School”. Taught me a heck of a lot, and I consider myself a decent cook now.
Well, I’ve not come across her on any TV shows in the UK. For GBBO to remain a viable hit (and some would say it’s been on the decline for a few years now), it needs a host who is a ‘character’, not just a good cook. Prue’s weird necklaces are legendary. Paul Hollywood has his quirks. I think Nigella would fit the bill but is probably too busy with other commitments. She’s very watchable on TV.
Much as Nigella would have an appeal, I think there are a couple of drawbacks that mean she’s unlikely to get the gig. First is that she’s not well know for her baking. Second is probably the bigger issue - she’s very much a “star”, so playing second fiddle to Hollywood as a judge (and having to fit in the with the jokiness of the two presenters) may well not work.
Maybe a younger woman, for a generation change? . Perhaps a past contestant like Nadiya Hussein (career may be too tied to the BBC) or Candice Brown (probably has the “stage presence” if not TV experience)