Paul Hollywood has succeeded in building a reputation as one of the best known Artisan bakers in the UK – having worked during his career as Head Baker in some of the most exclusive hotels, Cliveden, the Chester Grosvenor, The Dorchester and also abroad for six years at the Annabelle and Anassa Resorts in Cyprus.
In 1999 Paul returned to England to begin a successful career a a ‘Celebrity Chef’, co-hosting his own programmes with James Martin for the Carlton food network and CFN Taste. He has also made personal appearances on popular TV programmes ‘Richard and Judy’, ‘The Heaven and Earth Show’, ‘This Morning’ and ‘Ready Steady Cook’, educating viewers on how to bake traditional breads.
Paul has also written a best-selling book entitled ‘100 Great Breads’ which is published in ten countries in seven languages and has been voted ‘Top Bread and Pastry Book’ in the English Language by the Gourmand Academy. He contributes regular articles to BBC Good Food, Olive and Delicious magazines, as well as pieces for The Observer, Daily Mail and a variety of radio shows.
A regular host on UKTV’s ‘Great Food Live’, he is a recognized force in the baking industry, acting as a Sector Champion for the Government-backed staff training scheme ‘Improve’ and he also acts annually as a judge for The Baking Awards, hosted by the British Baker magazine and sponsored by Tesco, Sainsbury and Asda.
The son of a baker with a chain of shops on the East coast of England, Paul originally trained as a sculptor. He first turned his hand to the art of bread-making at the age of 17, when he served an apprenticeship within his father’s business, after which Paul decided to go his own way and joined the kitchens of The Chester Grosvenor Hotel as Head Baker.
“All my recipes hold special memories for me, some are of my childhood and others were discovered during my travels aboard. The textures and flavours all vary greatly, reflecting their origins and I have added something of myself to these recipes to make them unique.”
© 2007 Paul Hollywood
