A Baker's Life ─ From Childhood Bakes to Five-Star Excellence

A slice of Paul Hollywood, from baker's son to celebrity chef, with the recipes that have meant the most to him over the years.

Here are 120 of Paul Hollywood's most treasured recipes, which he has carefully finessed over the length of his career. Each chapter's recipes represent a different decade of Paul's life--learning the basics at his father's bakery; honing his skills as a top pastry chef in the finest hotels; discovering the bold flavors of the Mediterranean while working in Cyprus; and finding fame via the hugely popular Great British Baking Show television series.

Thanks to this book (and its clear step-by-step instructions), recipes that Paul has spent years perfecting can be recreated at home. Favorites include ginger biscuits, iced buns, crumpets, Armagnac and prune tart, macarons, feta and chive bread, baklava, scotch eggs, chocolate soufflé, and hazelnut cappuccino cake.

These are the loaves, buns, cakes, and biscuits that have shaped Paul Hollywood's life. Filled with charming personal anecdote and photographs from Paul's old photo albums, A Baker's Life give rare insight into the meals, tastes, and experiences that most inspire this beloved baker.

Paul Hollywood is a judge on The Great British Bake Off (a.k.a. The Great British Baking Show). The son of a baker, Paul spent six years in Cyprus at a top hotel before becoming head baker at exclusive hotels in the UK, including Cliveden and the Dorchester. He launched the Paul Hollywood Artisan Bread Company, which counts Harrods as a client, and wrote How to Bake, Paul Hollywood's Bread, Paul Hollywood's British Baking, and others. He lives in Kent with his wife and son.

paulhollywood.com / @PaulHollywood