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.

Hello - I always thought Nancy would win, but were you & Mary surprised that Richard lost it so obviously in the final? Love GBBO & it has completely inspired us as a family to Bake off at home!

@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)

I would obviously beat Mary in a Bake Off. Mary’s a cook – I’m a baker. I attack things from a different angle. We’ve had our own bake offs and we really enjoy it… But I’d never challenge my own mother. Mary’s signature bake would be a lemon drizzle. The only people that could judge our bake off would be Mel and Sue. Mary can cook though… I can’t cook.

@TheCunkOfPhilomena

Haha LaChatte, I have a huge crush on Sue

So have I...... And so have most of my male friends too!

you're alright, being quick is not something a man should brag about...

@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....

There’s a junior bake off website with recipes on there. Start simple, and then bukld it up. Start with a scone or a victoria sandwich or a chocolate brownie.

Please answer the bread question....!

Hi Paul

I've recently started making my own bread in a breadmaker and if I attempt a granary type loaf it never cooks well in the middle. Should I be trying some sort of granary and strong white flour combo to lighten it? I know breadmakers are the work of the devil etc but would never have time to make it from scratch. Ta

I think things like crumpets, savoury things rather than sweet. Crumpets are a big winner. Or eccles cakes! anything that is done on a griddle, I think is a great new thing to try at home.

::puts griddle on Christmas list::

Actually, I think you're right about savoury as sugar becomes the Big Evil.

Thanks for your reply. Have MNHQ given you enough and or are they too chicken?

Oh yeast! My Italian MIL, when making focaccia etc, always uses a lump of fresh yeast that she's frozen and just puts the whole lump into the flour. And obviously everything she does comes out perfect.

I try it and it's OK. But I kind of feel I'm missing something? What do you reckon, is this a tried and trusted yeasty thing? Or a bonkers southern Italian thing?

PS Does Sue know we are applying to have her as Dr Who's next assistant?

@MrsVamos

Just come in to say hello, really.

Random question.

Favourite Christmas tipple ?
And cake, yule log or other ?

Making a couronne at Christmas time with marzipan is absolutely delicious actually.

I like champagne. If I can't get hold of that, I'll have a pint of Best!

@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.

Be careful what you say to the press…… No no!
I leant how much I love Mary Berry. There’s a genuine relationship that we have that’s bore out on camera. People can see our relationship, it’s very real. We’re very fond of each other.

Ive started making teeny tiny fairy cakes, petits four size, barely a mouthful. Take 6 minutes to bake. They are good for PTA bake sales - 20p a cake

Use fast action yeast - it's far easier and more consistent!

I think she'd be great as the Drs assistant! She'd be great as the doctor - I don't know about the assistant!

@DrankSangriaInThePark

Oh yeast! My Italian MIL, when making focaccia etc, always uses a lump of fresh yeast that she's frozen and just puts the whole lump into the flour. And obviously everything she does comes out perfect.

I try it and it's OK. But I kind of feel I'm missing something? What do you reckon, is this a tried and trusted yeasty thing? Or a bonkers southern Italian thing?

PS Does Sue know we are applying to have her as Dr Who's next assistant?

This is Sue sitting on my bike for all the fans of Sue out there! My sis...

Hi Male Judge
Have you ever eaten a pie from a Wigan pie shop and I'd so, do you agree they are the best in the world?

Sue comes across as such a lovely person. Mnhq, can we have her on next?

@Jess180

Hello ! My girl is 15, just gone into year 11 at school. She is unsure what route to take, catering or baking. Any advice? Thank you

Go down the catering route because they'll teach you baking as well and you can always change later on. Stick with it. What you want to do is get some unpaid work in a bakery and you can learn. You'll start getting paid in the end and you'll get better and better. Good luck!

Agree about Sue for the Doctor - I thought it was time for a female one anyway. The stories need to get back to where they were though, they're just not up to the mark at the moment (different thread)

@tumbletastic

Hi Paul

If you were to bake a cake what would it be?

Also tried making Crumpets for the first time, whilst they tasted good I found I cooked them for a lot longer than recipe said and didn't get many air bubbles in the middle of the top? How do I improve on this?

I bake cakes A LOT.
I made my son's birthday cake which is a chocolate sponge. Delicious!

Hi Paul,

Could you suggest something I could bake for Christmas morning, please? I fancy something slightly unusual, that I can make in advance, and that will go well with Eggnog. I usually make cinnamon buns but feel like something different for this year.

Many thanks!

Yesterday I saw how the viewing figures for GBBO have grown year on year since it started, it's amazing. For next year, is there anything you would like to change or add, or do you believe that it's such a great formula it should just be left alone?

I loved this series, great challenges, amazing bakes with brilliant contestants (I thought Martha was just lovely). And yes the right lady won!

I bet Sue would answer my Thor/Loki question...

PHWOAR!!!

And here's a photo of my DS 'baking' in return.

Is that the 1198? If it's the sedicivalvole I'm well jel.

@plus3

Hello - I always thought Nancy would win, but were you & Mary surprised that Richard lost it so obviously in the final? Love GBBO & it has completely inspired us as a family to Bake off at home!

Absolutely. He's been sailing along up until that moment. Then he lost the plot in the final, but I'm sure he'll carry his baking career on.