‘The Great British Baking Show’ Removes Theme Weeks After Last Season’s Disastrous “Mexican Week” Sparked Racism Accusations

On your mark, get set, BAKE! Netflix‘s The Great British Baking Show is returning soon for Season 14, but it is taking a more “traditional” approach to challenges following last season’s “Mexican Week” controversy.

Series EP Kieran Smith addressed the changes in an interview with The Guardian, in which he said, “I hold my hands up to the cooking complaint and the theme weeks.”

He continued, “we didn’t want to offend anyone but the world has changed and the joke fell flat. We’re not doing any national themes this year. We’re going very traditional. We’re doing all the regular weeks: cakes, biscuits, bread, patisserie, chocolate, plus party cakes is a new theme.”

He also teased, “no spoilers, but it features challenges [he] think[s] viewers will love.”

The series was put under fire after an episode that aired last October titled “Mexican Week,” in which contestants were tasked with making traditional Mexican dishes including pan dulce, tacos and tres leches cake.

The episode included hosts Matt Lucas and Noel Fielding donning sombreros and serapes, while engaging in a bit — that didn’t go over well with fans — in which Lucas said, “I don’t feel like we should make Mexican jokes because people will get upset.”

“What, not even Juan?” Lucas replied.

Fielding said, “Not even Juan.”

According to People, series judge Prue Leith defended the show to The New Yorker last October, explaining that “there would have been absolutely no intention to offend.”

“That’s not the spirit of the show,” she added.

Come Season 14, Paul Hollywood will reprise his position as co-judge with Leith, and Fielding will return to host alongside new judge Alison Hammond, who told The Guardian that the show “felt like this was something [she] was always meant to do.”

“I just knew it in my heart,” Hammond said. “I felt a little bit sick, I wanted it so badly. When I found out I’d got it, I was proper excited. Genuinely couldn’t wait to get started. Matt [Lucas] sent me a good luck voice note, which was really lovely.”

The Great British Baking Show returns to the U.K. on Sept. 12. A U.S. release date has not yet been announced, but the show will likely land on Netflix not long after it premieres across the pond. Watch the Season 14 teaser trailer above.