Where was The Great American Baking Show filmed

Where The Great American Baking Show is filmed

The Great American Baking Show is filmed primarily on soundstages in the United States, using a kitchen set built to replicate the layout and feel of the original British operation. While the show was produced in Los Angeles in earlier seasons, later seasons have moved production to Illinois, leveraging soundstages in and around Chicago. Specific venues have included historic properties such as the Filming at Willowbrook in Dupage County and facilities near the Loyola University campus. No episodes are filmed abroad or in the U.K., and contestants remain based in the U.S. throughout filming.

Key locations and facilities used

Los Angeles seasons (Seasons 1–2)

The first two seasons were shot at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California. The production adapted an existing soundstage to house a full bake center, judging area, and contestant space, designed to mirror the functional workflow of the U.K. set. Kitchens were purpose-built with commercial equipment to support continuous baking, while cameras were positioned to capture technical details and audience reactions.

Illinois seasons (Seasons 3–present)

Beginning with Season 3, production relocated to Illinois, filming at soundstages in DuPage County and other Chicago-area locations. The move aligned with changes in production partners and offered larger, more flexible spaces for the bake tent and technical rigs. Willowbrook and other nearby facilities provide high ceilings, reinforced flooring, and proximity to talent and editorial teams, while maintaining the intimate, workshop-style layout expected by viewers.

What the set is designed to replicate

Although The Great American Baking Show uses U.S.-based soundstages, the production intentionally mirrors the layout and working rhythm of the British original. The main kitchen is arranged so bakers can move seamlessly between the main oven, prep tables, and specialty stations. The judging counter, camera sightlines, and storage zones are calibrated to match the workflow of The Great British Bake Off, ensuring continuity for bakers and crew who work on both formats.

Production design and technical considerations

Each season’s kitchen set is engineered for reliability, with backup equipment and redundant power systems to prevent delays. Lighting rigs are tuned to replicate natural daylight where possible, while controlled humidity supports consistent pastry work. Multiple camera angles capture crumb structure and surface detail, and sound technicians manage ambient noise to keep dialogue clear. These design choices help maintain the show’s meticulous visual standard while allowing for safe, repeatable baking conditions.

Logistics for contestants and judges

Contestants and judges are housed near studios in Chicago or Los Angeles, depending on the season, with transportation arranged between lodging and the set. Production schedules compress intense bake days into tightly coordinated blocks, requiring precise call times and rapid turnover between challenges. On-site medical and culinary support are present to manage food-safety and well-being concerns, reflecting the physically demanding nature of multi-day filming.

Table: Filming locations and season breakdown

Common questions about filming locations

• Is The Great American Baking Show filmed in the United Kingdom? No. All seasons are produced in the United States, with kitchens built on domestic soundstages.
• Are any outdoor scenes filmed? Limited exterior shots may be used for transitions or establishing context, but all baking and judging occur indoors on controlled sets.
• Do contestants travel between cities during filming? No. Contestants remain based in the same region throughout the season to maintain schedule and production consistency.
• Is the set designed to match the British show? Yes. The layout, equipment placement, and workflow are intentionally aligned with The Great British Bake Off to preserve the show’s format and feel.

Why the choice of Los Angeles and Illinois

Los Angeles offered proximity to talent, post-production facilities, and studio infrastructure in the early seasons. Illinois provided larger spaces, tax incentives, and stable logistics for longer production cycles. Both locations support the intensive, multi-day shoot required for each bake challenge, with secure backlots and controlled environments that minimize disruptions. The shift to Illinois also reflects broader production trends among U.S. adaptations of U.K. formats, where space and cost efficiency meet technical demands.

Main takeaways

• The Great American Baking Show is filmed entirely in the United States on constructed kitchen sets.
• Early seasons were in Los Angeles at Sony Pictures Studios; later seasons moved to Illinois soundstages near Chicago.
• The set is engineered to mirror the British original in layout, equipment, and workflow.
• Soundstages in DuPage County and surrounding areas have provided consistent production homes since Season 3.
• No international filming occurs; all baking, judging, and contestant stays are domestic.

Conclusion

The Great American Baking Show is produced on dedicated soundstages in Los Angeles and Illinois, chosen for their ability to host technically rigorous, multi-day baking shoots in a controlled environment. The U.S. sets are modeled closely on the British original, ensuring familiar pacing, visual detail, and baker mobility. Filming remains domestic, with no episodes shot abroad, and locations have shifted to prioritize space, logistics, and production continuity.