Great British Bake Off: Viewers brand Mexican Week culturally insensitive

The Great British Bake Off has been branded culturally insensitive by some viewers after their Mexican Week on Tuesday.

The remaining contestants had to create a series of dishes from the Latin American country while other scenes saw presenters Matt Lucas and Noel Fielding wearing sombreros, making puns about Mexico and playing the maracas.

The episode in question which aired this week included a joke in which Noel said: ‘I don’t feel like we should make Mexican jokes, because people will get upset.’

Matt then responded by saying: ‘Not even Juan?’

Viewers have had their say online, with one writing in response to the episode: ‘I love Bake Off, but Mexican week was a mistake. Tacky jokes about Mexican stereotypes and no attempt to properly pronounce the language (from Noel/Matt). Hopefully it’s a one-off.’

‘Attention USA #GreatBritishBakeOff fans: Mexican week really is THAT bad,’ wrote another.

Reaction: The remaining contestants had to create a series of dishes from the Latin American country while other scenes saw presenters Matt Lucas and Noel Fielding wearing sombreros, making puns about the country and playing the maracas

‘Is Mexico a real place?’ is a joke that The Great British Bake Off thought would be cute during ‘Mexican week’,’ someone else commented.

‘You could have honoured an amazing culture instead of stupid racist jokes and tropes,’ another wrote.

Meanwhile Professor Ignacio M. Sánchez Prado, a professor of Mexican cultural studies at Washington University, told NPR after the episode aired: ‘The fundamental issue is that the episode and its campaign follow a script on Mexican culture that us Mexicans, from either side of the US-Mexico border, see very frequently.

Pun: The episode in question which aired on Tuesday included a joke in which Noel said: ‘I don’t feel like we should make Mexican jokes, because people will get upset’. Matt then responded by saying: ‘Not even Juan?’

‘The use of cartoonish sarapes and sombreros as props and disguises, the misidentification of Mexican food with the stuff sold in Taco Bell, the borrowing of beloved dishes like tres leches to make versions that have little recognisability to Mexicans, this is something that we see every Cinco de Mayo and every Hispanic Heritage Month.’

The episode featured contestants trying their hand at cooking Mexican staples, including pan dulce and tacos. 

MailOnline has contacted Channel 4 for comment as well as representatives for Matt and Noel.

The GBBO saw a devastated Rebs and James sent home in a rare double elimination as Maxy was crowned star baker for the second time in Tuesday’s episode.

Viewers: Many who watched have had their say online, with one writing in response to the episode: ‘I love Bake Off, but Mexican week was a mistake’

Judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith decided to send home two bakers on Mexican Week after there were no eliminations in last week’s episode. 

But Rebs became emotional and broke down in floods of tears after it was revealed she was leaving the tent, with her fellow bakers flocking around to comfort her.

The Northern Irish student, 23, was consoled by Sandro, Maxy and James – who was also eliminated – as she was seen sobbing following the news.

‘I’m honestly devastated,’ she said. ‘This means the world to me. Bake Off has been a fabulous experience, it’s just I didn’t want it to be cut this short.’

Food: The episode featured contestants trying their hand at cooking Mexican staples, including pan dulce, tres leches cakes (pictured) and tacos

Paul told Rebs: ‘Sorry Rebs, it’s hard in this tent.’

Prue was then seen giving a tearful Rebs a huge hug, saying: ‘It’s only cake.’

James was also sent home in the rare double elimination, after he struggled with the challenges of Mexican week.

‘I’m always sad to see any bakers go but particularly James,’ Prue admitted. ‘James had a rotten week, and his showstopper was a real disappointment.’

Speaking about leaving the tent, James said: ‘If I was to use a fun metaphor, I think I was a plant that roots were outgrowing its pot.’

The double elimination came after all contestants remained safe last week because two bakers missed bread week due to illness.

Rebs, 23, and Abdul Rehman Sharif, 29, were absent from the infamous tent – but judge Prue had warned that this meant a double elimination was ahead.

Farewell: The GBBO saw a devastated Rebs and James sent home in a rare double elimination as Maxy was crowned star baker for the second time in Tuesday’s episode

As two more contestants left the tent, Maxy, 29, was crowned as star baker for a second time, after first getting the accolade during biscuit week.

Speaking about her success, Paul said: ‘I think Maxy winning star baker for the second time was well deserved, she was the most consistent over the three challenges.’

While a thrilled Maxy gushed: ‘I’m dancing right now! This has really given me confidence, I never thought I’d come to the tent and get two star bakers, it’s crazy!’  

Going home: James was also sent home in the rare double elimination, after he struggled with the challenges of Mexican week