Inside the Factory Season 5 Episode 1 Cherry Bakewells

Inside the Factory is a popular British television series that showcases the inner workings of various factories and manufacturing plants across the United Kingdom. Season 5 episode 1 of the show, titled "Cherry Bakewells", delves into the world of pastry-making and takes viewers on a journey through the process of creating one of Britain's favourite baked goods.

The episode opens with a brief introduction to the history of the Cherry Bakewell, a sweet pastry that originated in the town of Bakewell in Derbyshire, England. We are told that the pastry was originally made by accident when a cook accidentally mixed the ingredients for a jam tart with those for a cake, and that it has since become a beloved British treat.

We then meet our host, television presenter Gregg Wallace, who takes us to one of the largest pastry factories in the country, located in Blackburn, Lancashire. Wallace explains that the factory produces an incredible 14 million Cherry Bakewells every week, and that we are about to see how they are made.

The first step in the process is to create the pastry shell. We watch as a machine mixes flour, sugar, and butter together to create a dough, which is then flattened and cut into circles using a series of cutters. The circles are then pressed into metal trays and baked in an oven before being cooled and removed from the trays.

Next up is the filling - a layer of jam made from real fruit and sugar. We see how the jam is created by boiling large vats of fruit before straining out the pulp and adding sugar. The mixture is heated further until it reaches its desired consistency, at which point it is poured into a large hopper and piped onto the base of the pastry shells.

The final stage in creating a Cherry Bakewell is the addition of the topping - a layer of almond-flavoured icing with a cherry on top. We see how the icing is made by combining icing sugar, water, and almond extract before it is piped onto the top of each pastry and a single cherry is placed on top.

Throughout the episode, Wallace provides fascinating insights into the technology and machinery used in the factory, explaining how each machine works and the role it plays in the overall process. He also meets and interviews several of the factory workers, who share their experiences of working in the pastry industry and provide their own personal perspectives on what makes a perfect Cherry Bakewell.

As well as showcasing the manufacturing process itself, the episode also explores the wider impact of the Cherry Bakewell on British culture and society. Wallace visits local bakeries and cafes to speak to members of the public about their love of the pastry and discovers how it has become an iconic part of British food culture.

Overall, season 5 episode 1 of Inside the Factory provides a fascinating insight into the world of pastry-making and the intricacies of producing one of Britain's favourite baked goods. With its blend of technical detail, personal stories, and cultural exploration, the episode is sure to appeal to foodies, history buffs, and anyone interested in the inner workings of large-scale manufacturing.