What's happening?

The judging had just begun when it happened. Amanda had made a wave cake with leaping dolphins. 

But suddenly, it collapsed. The beautiful cake was now just a pile of blue icing.  

Find out more

This is a scene from the first week of the Great British Bake Off. 

It just as dramatic as ever. Paul Hollywood sang a song. Jurgen was the season's first star baker. 

But the best part was the technical challenge. Prue asked the bakers to make a malt loaf. Now, supermarkets are expecting lots of people to go out and buy the ingredients: malt extract, black treacle and prunes. 

Bake off has fans in over 200 countries. Some enjoy it for the drama. But most people agree it is popular because everyone loves food. 

Food is one thing everyone in the world has in common. Every minute, we eat 11.5 million pounds of food. That's the same as 20 million Big Macs. 

Is food our greatest pleasure? 

Some say

Yes! Food is the least complicated joy in life. All humans enjoy it. Eating releases hormones into our bodies that make us feel good. Plus, eating with friends is a great way to connect with others!  

Others think 

No! For most people in the world, food is about staying alive. Not that many of us eat just because it makes us happy. Pleasure should be something we don't need, but want. This means spending time with others, music and art.