Netflix’s new competition show Is It Cake? is unlike any other baking show. The show is hosted by Mikey Day, who is best known for his consistent apparences on Saturday Night Live. 

In each episode, three bakers are chosen from a group of nine to create one of the five realistic cake options for that episode. Every episode has its own unique theme, so chefs make a variety of different types of cakes. 

After eight hours, the chefs then present their cakes one by one to the group of three judges. However, unlike the traditional baking competition, the judges are not initially judging the cake based on its appearance and taste. 

Instead, each cake is placed in a group with four of the actual items the pastry is based on, and the judges must decide which is the cake based only on how each individual item looks. For example, one of the contestants created a bucket out of cake, which was then placed in a group next to four real buckets. 

If the judges succeed, the chef who created it loses. If the chef is able to trick the judges, they move on for a chance to win the cash prize for that episode. If multiple chefs succeed in tricking the judges, the cakes are then criticized by their taste and appearance, and a winner is selected.

The distinctive concept of the game is instantly captivating for the audience, as there are not many other shows like it currently. The idea of hyper realistic cakes has been a trend online for a few years, so it was interesting to see this idea become a high budget television show. 

The show includes humor, with the chemistry between the cast being evident, but it mostly relies on the talent of the chefs. The continuous displays of skill while baking and the incredible results leave the audience shocked. The show can also be interactive, as viewers can play along with the judges and attempt to guess which of the objects in the group is cake.

Is It Cake? is one of the most unique programs on streaming services currently and keeps audiences interested with the realistic nature of the cakes and the guessing game it creates.