Paul Hollywood is a mainstay of the Great British Bake Off, ing the tent in the very first series and following the show from its UK channel change, from the BBC to Channel 4. While it's been copied all over the world and a new series is currently airing, Hollywood continues to be one of the standout judges of the Bake Off family.
Harsh but fair, the Hollywood handshake has become quite a prestigious prize, considering the baker is so well-respected in the industry. Some quotes from some contestants and himself demonstrate what he brings to the competition and how he is guiding the next generation.
"I Thought You Were Throwing Me Some Red Herrings."
James Acaster - SU2C Season 2, Episode 2
James Acaster's stint on celebrity Bake Off has gone down in history for an especially famous quote involving the fact that he had a breakdown while constructing his flapjacks. But his interaction with judge Paul Hollywood says a lot about the judge in the tent.
Hollywood attempted to warn James that his flapjacks wouldn't cook properly, but the comedian didn't listen. When Hollywood later confronted him about it, James claimed he thought it was a red herring, demonstrating how mischievous the judge can be at times. It's pretty common to see him lurking, to try and put off the contestants, even asking false questions to attempt to confuse them - as Acaster alluded to.
"They're Awful. They're Really Bad."
Paul Hollywood - Season 10, Episode 4
There have Bake Off and one of the most common is that Paul Hollywood is a little too harsh with the judging. During dairy week, when the group were working on their technical, Hollywood was so unimpressed he pretended to walk out.
He said that they really are awful, showing that he's never afraid to mince his words. He'll shoot from the hip every time because he has such high expectations. But the reason for that is because he genuinely believes in all of the bakers involved and knows they can do better.
"As A Prisoner, Yes!"
Paul Hollywood - Season 10, Episode 4
If most people don't already know this on Bake Off, Hollywood only wants to eat the best and isn't afraid to tell the contestants that. He understands that these kinds of foods should be a treat and encourages everyone in the tent to put their best foot forward. But he is happy to joke around and muck around with the contestants as well about their bakes.
He jokes with Henry in Dairy Week that if his bake was given to him in prison, he'd only maybe eat it. It's a hilarious moment that signifies the judge's sarcastic sense of humor, and the unconventional ways in which he might give to the bakers, while still remaining jovial.
"That's One Of The Best Things I've Seen In Bread, Ever."
Paul Hollywood - Season 6, Episode 3
There has only been one special recommendation in the tent's history and that came for a different Paul who crafted something special in bread week. It was an ambitious task to craft a full lion out of the bread available to him. The design was incredibly intricate.
Paul Hollywood is happy to put his ego aside when needed and truly deliver massive praise. In all his years in the industry, he had never seen anything like Paul's bread lion and told him it's the best thing he's ever seen in bread. It's likely quite humbling to it that.
"He Really Did Not Want To Give Me One, Because He's Given Two Already."
Stacey Hart - Season 8, Episode 5
The Hollywood Handshake has become quite a common phrase in the Bake Off tent. More than just a fun catchphrase, the handshake really means a great deal to contestants, who are looking to try and take their baking game to the next level. It's a proper seal of approval.
Paul Hollywood is so cemented within the legacy of Bake Off itself, that the honor of a handshake is the equivalent to winning a Star Baker award. He famously gave out three in season 8's Dairy Week, with contestant Stacey musing on how important it was that she still got one demonstrating what a motivator it is and indeed how begrudging he was to hand out so many.
"With All The Love In The World, I'm Not Going To Eat It."
Paul Hollywood - Season 7, Episode 3
Paul Hollywood isn't quite like Prue Leith or Mary Berry. If something is absolutely disgusting, both the judges will try a piece to give a fair criticism and to show that they are still appreciating the work that went into it. Paul Hollywood is a little different though.
If something looks vile he just won't touch it. When Candice failed to put together a sufficient babka in bread week, Hollywood took one look at it, noticing how underdone it really was and said he was not going to eat it. It has to hurt, but it only builds up the bakers even stronger.
"Just Having That With A Cup Of Tea."
Paul Hollywood - Interview (And Most Seasons)
Just like any Brit, Paul Hollywood loves a cup of tea. In fact, it's difficult to pin down any specific quote across the multiple seasons of Bake Off, because it seems like almost every week he's mentioning that if he had a particular cake with a cup of tea, it would be perfect.
In many ways, it demonstrates the simplicity of what makes Hollywood happy and what good baking is all about. According to an interview with Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard, he continued to mention how he would enjoy some bakes a little more with a good cup of tea on the side. It's a great ethos to bring to the tent.
"Will She Come Round To My House And Cook This?"
Paul Hollywood - Season 8, Episode 6
Paul Hollywood understands the important role that family has in cooking. When Liam created a gorgeous pie, based on his nan's recipe, Hollywood couldn't help but be impressed. He paid tribute to Liam's nan and even invited her round his house to teach him how to create such an amazing dish.
It shows how he values knowledge being ed through the generations and is always open to trying new flavors and food combinations. He has genuinely been very open with getting to know the families of the contestants, appreciating everything they help to bring to the tent.
"Don't Stand Behind Paul And Just Agree With Him. Just Be Yourself And Go For It'."
Prue Leith - Interview
Given what fans know about Paul Hollywood, he can be quite a big presence in the tent and might be daunting to any newcomers. When Mary Berry stepped down from being one of the judges and handed the baton to Prue Leith, she gave her a stern warning. Prue recounted this conversation in an interview with the Daily Express.
The quote demonstrates that Paul Hollywood appears to be in command of the judging process in Bake Off, but if someone fights to have their voice heard, he will listen. It shows he's a force to be reckoned with, but also needs to be kept in check by his companions.
"They're Like The Eyes Of An Artic Fox."
Louis Theroux - SU2C Season 3, Episode 1
While it's not a quote, sometimes silence speaks far louder than any words. Paul Hollywood has become pretty famed for his striking blue eyes, but they can become quite threatening very quickly. The icy stare of Paul Hollywood is something no contestant wants to be in the sights of.
Sometimes, he uses the stare to throw someone off their game, demonstrating his unique sense of humor. But other times, he's genuinely concerned with what they are doing, with the bakers actually getting a little warning which can be helpful if they bother to pay attention. Celebrity baker Louis Theroux mused that the eyes were almost wolf-like and certainly chilling.
