The Paul Hollywood effect
Award-winning baker, best-selling author and star of one of Britain’s most successful TV shows - The Great British Bake off - Paul Hollywood’s no-nonsense approach has made him an overnight celebrity and the go-to guy for all things baking.
Despite working in television for 14 years, it wasn't until the Bake Off bug swept the nation that Hollywood became a household name. ‘As soon as the first episode went live it was like bang - I’m famous. Before I knew it random people on the street were bombarding me with questions about making cake.’
Hollywood, however, is not surprised by the British public’s obsession with baking. ‘The wonderful thing about baking is that anybody can do it. All you need is a bag of flour, a pot of baking powder, a bit of sugar and some butter - and you can make an entire cake. It really is as simple as that. And to me, that’s really magical.’
Son of a professional baker, Hollywood has been baking since the age of 6. He worked at his dad’s bakery after a very brief stint studying sculpture at college before moving onto prestigious hotels including the Dorchester and Claridge’s as head baker.
As a judge on The Great British Bake off, Hollywood shows no signs of slowing down.
Now you can watch and learn the Hollywood touch with our new series Get Baking with Paul Hollywood. In each episode Paul shows novice bakers how to bake some of his favourite recipes, including chocolate Victoria sandwich cake and chocolate brioche doughnuts.
Question time
Favourite thing to bake?
A basic wholemeal loaf. I make it at midday, leave it to prove through the afternoon, cook it in the evening then leave it to cool overnight. I enjoy it toasted with butter, it’s the best thing ever.
If I wasn’t a baker…
I’d be a fireman.
Three reasons everyone should bake?
It’s simple, easy and cheap.
The one piece of equipment every home baker should own?
A set of digital scales.
Your top tips for aspiring bakers?
Follow a good recipe, watch The Great British Bake Off and never rush.
Top 3 ingredients?
Flour, yeast and some good olive oil.
Proudest non-baked creation?
I make a mean steak with Roquefort sauce, which I love to cook as a treat for my wife and family.
10-year plan?
To keep baking and continue being a judge on The Great British Bake Off.
Become a brilliant baker with Paul Hollywood
Treacle tart
Learn how to makes Paul's delicious treacle tart with lattice topping - a dessert guaranteed to impress.
Spinach and egg pie
Learn how to make Paul Hollywood's spinach and egg pie including how to make your own pastry. Delicious hot and even better cold, each slice of the pie has half an egg inside!
White bloomer bread
Paul Hollywood shows you how to make the perfect white bloomer bread - it's easier than you might think!
Potato & thyme focaccia
Paul Hollywood shows his students how to make his take on focaccia by adding potato and thyme.
Wholemeal pitta breads
Paul Hollywood shows you how easy it is to make your own pitta breads.
Flourless chocolate & almond cake
Paul shows you how to make a chocolate cake so delicious, you wouldn't guess it's gluten free.
Chocolate Victoria sandwich cake
Paul Hollywood shows you a fail-safe recipe for a classic chocolate Victoria sandwich cake that no chocolate fan will be able to resist.
Chocolate brioche doughnuts
This week watch Paul Hollywood show his novice baking students how to make delicious brioche doughnuts with an oozing chocolate centre.
Seeded flatbreads with spiced pulled leg of lamb
Paul Hollywood and his novice baker students rustle up quick and easy flatbreads with a deliciously spicy lamb filling.