Come and chat to Bake off's PAUL HOLLYWOOD, Friday 10 October, 10-11am

[RachelMumsnet]

On the week that TV's most hot-contested baking challenge reaches its climax, we're thrilled that Paul Hollywood is returning to Mumsnet Towers. Paul last joined us back in February 2013 when he gave us his tips on bread-making. This Friday between 10 and 11am he will be on hand to help out with all your baking conundrums and of course give us the inside story on this year's GBBO.

Paul's latest book Paul Hollywood's British Baking is published this week and everyone who joins the webchat will be entered into a draw to win a SIGNED copy. If you're unable to join Paul on Friday morning, post a question in advance on this thread.

[LaChatte]

I've been following GBBO since series one, and have to say I'm so disappointed by the transfer to BBC1. The editing has taken away all the charm it had, and totally spoilt it for me.

Have the producers encouraged you to all be OTT with innuendo, or to try and make things as sensational as possible or is it really all just in the crappy editing?

PS can we have Sue's phone number please?

[LineRunner]

That complicated Breton pastry thing. Surely life's too short?

[AnneEyhtMeyer]

I love watching Bake Off, but as an ex-smoker myself I do wonder how you can possibly comment on the subtleties of flavours when you still smoke. Do you find that aspect difficult?

[Nuvia]

As a professional baker, do you ever get frustrated when you see people doing it wrongly, on GBBO?

[chockbic]

What's the funniest thing to happen on the show? Either broadcast or not broadcast.

Loving Mel and Sue with their 'smut'

[Roseformeplease]

My husband would love a really, really fruity (ooh er missus) Christmas cake. Any recipes or hints? I am an averagely good baker but have never made a rich fruit cake.

[ocelot41]

ARE they contact lenses or are your eyes really that blue?

[Montegomongoose]

Love the show, don't change a thing!

Yeast terrifies me; I tried to make Christmas cinnamon Swedish buns roll things and it was monstrous. Just lay flatly bleeding cinnamon sugar through the bottom.

What are your top tips for using yeast and have you got a foolproof cinnamon roll recipe?

[HoneyDragonMumshnet]

So my question at for Paul is (in case I get summoned to place called work)

You seem to be somewhat under the impression you'd beat Mary in a bake off.

In this scenario, who would be judging?

(Also whilst your here would mind awfully apologising to me. I blame you, and you alone for the huge amount of earnest well meaning women who keep trying to take my money off me so I can go on bread making lessons honestly they're like floury pink lipstick ex mushrooms round here. I bake bread to save cash and vent out issues, not spend ££££££s)

[HoneyDragonMumshnet]

Also is it me, or does that picture look like the Mumsnet logo is about to clobber Paul over the head with a rolling pin?

[StillNoFuckingEyeDeer]

Hello Paul
Do you gave any favourite recipes for baking with small children? I'm thinking maybe something where exact quantities aren't too critical to allow for over zealous mixing leading to loss of ingredients etc....

[thewomaninwhite]

Hello Paul. What's the most important thing that you have learned from being in GBBO, either from a contestant or about yourself?

Thank you.

[thewomaninwhite]

Sorry for double smilies, it looks like I am really creeping now. Stupid fat phone fingers .

[HattieFranks]

Paul - what's the key to good scones? Kneading or not kneading and what do you use for the liquid part? Sour cream/milk etc? I am on a lifelong quest for the perfect scone. I've eaten one but the cafe I had it at wouldn't divulge the recipe - I don't blame them either, worth its weight in gold.

[Stupidhead]

Hello Mr Male Judge!

Do you ever really fancy a bacon sandwich and trot to the shops to get a loaf of warburtons (other bread is available) or do you have a house full of home made bread?

On a side note, my OH says you have a 'puffs' bike, we have a Kwaka 1400 zzr

[rockpink]

Dear Paul ,
Have you ever shaved off your beard, and would you do so for Children in Need?

[ThreeQuartersEmpty]

In the technical challenges, do the contestants get pictures of what it is supposed to look like? When they've never heard of the thing they've been asked to bake how come they all turn out looking similar.

[casperandjasper]

No question, I just want to say thank you for teaching me to make fabulous bread - the first time a bread recipe has ever worked properly for me.

[Everhopeful]

What's the best way to check if a loaf of bread has baked all through?

I keep tapping it and take it out when it sounds hollow, as per what I was taught, but I can tell you for sure that this ain't foolproof by a yard! And I would very much like a copy of your book pretty please

[LollipopViolet]

This was the first series of Bake Off I watched, and really enjoyed it. It has inspired me to try my hand at more complex baking - my limit right now is rock cakes :)

What would be a good place to start in? I'd quite like to learn to do things I can decorate and make look pretty :)

[ClaraSky]

Macaroons are my favourite, but I find them impossible to make (tried 3 times and failed) so I always buy them, which is ends up being expensive.

Any tips on how to get them right?

Also, why do you say 'macaRON' when Mary says 'macaROON'? Personally, I pronounce it the same way as Mary. Is it a like the scone 'scON' vs 'scOWN' debate?

[JugglingFromHereToThere]

For some reason I seem to have decided that baking is beyond me ATM (juggling too many other parenting/life type plates) though I have made the occasional cake in my time - victoria sponge at school, simnel cake once for Easter as a teenager

I like fruity healthy(ish) style cakes (that my lovely friends make and share with me) and we always have lots of apples from the garden (which sadly often get left for the birds, though dd(15) will sometimes make us a nice crumble)

So, do you have any nice recipes for an apple cake, or apple tart (I made a pretty one of those once, with cart-wheel pattern apple slices), or maybe a lovely tarte tatin (a good friend of ours makes delicious versions of this)?
Thinking something with cinnamon might be nice?

In fact I seem to be getting quite creative all by myself here, but any additional inspiration would be lovely and I can tell everyone that it's something Paul Hollywood personally recommended to me
Thank-you !

[DinoSnores]

When do you decide the Technical Bakes? Was it a surprise to you and Mary (albeit not the production team) when Chetna baked a povitica? (Had to Google how to spell it!)

[MinionDave]

Do you think everyone has it in them to be a good baker? Or is it a case that some people are forever destined to make sunken fairy cakes

[superstarheartbreaker]

Hi Paul. Love the show! What is your favourite bake to make and what is your favourite cake to eat ever?