Ep 2. Paris

Paul Hollywood, the master baker and a judge on the famous baking show, The Great British Bake Off, takes viewers on a journey to explore the culinary world's most exciting destinations, sharing the stories and the recipes of the bakes that give their respective cities their unique flavors and aromas. In the second episode of the show, Paul travels to the city of love - Paris.

The episode begins with Paul taking a stroll through the streets of Paris, admiring the famous architecture and beautiful views as he walks towards the iconic Eiffel Tower. He mentions that Paris is known for its pastries, bread, and chocolate, and he can't wait to sample some of the city's most delicious baked goods.

Paul's first stop is a traditional boulangerie where he meets a third-generation baker who shares with him a recipe for the famous French Baguette. Paul looks amazed as he watches the process of making the baguette from scratch and mentions how integral this bread is to the French way of life. He then buys a few to take back with him and to taste for himself.

Next up, Paul explores the world of Parisian croissants, visiting a Patisserie that's been around since 1940. The bakery is known for its deliciously flaky croissants, and Paul gets to watch the process of making the dough and shaping it into a croissant. The baker also shares the secret of getting the perfect layers of butter in the dough, and Paul is impressed.

The episode then takes a sweet turn as Paul visits one of the best-known chocolatiers in Paris. The chocolate shop has been around since the early 20th century and prides itself on using only the finest ingredients. Here, Paul gets to sample some mouth-watering truffles, chocolate bars, and even gets to taste a Parisian hot chocolate. He mentions that the secret to making the perfect hot chocolate is using a mix of both milk and cream, and the chocolate should be of the highest quality.

Moving on from sweet treats, Paul visits a renowned bakery famous for its savory pastries. Here, he gets to watch a master baker create a meat and pastry delicacy known as Pithivier. The baker uses a blend of butter and almond powder to create a deliciously flaky pastry shell filled with either chicken, veal, or pork - it is then baked until golden brown. The chef then shares his top tip of slicing the meat incredibly thin to ensure that it cooks evenly.

In Paul Hollywood's City Bakes season 1 episode 2, towards the end of the episode, Paul reveals his final stop and the one recipe he's been searching for since arriving in Paris - the Tart Tatin. The traditional French dessert is an upside-down caramelized apple tart. Paul meets with a chef at a local bakery who shares the recipe and process of making the classic tart. Paul is thrilled to see the chef make his version of the tart, which includes adding Calvados, apple brandy, to the mix. The chef also mentions that the dessert is best served with a dollop of fresh whipped cream.

The episode concludes with Paul expressing his admiration for the city and its baked goods, recalling each stop and the learned techniques that he saw along the way. Throughout the episode, Paul skillfully combines history and modern-day baking techniques, showcasing just how vital and diverse bakes have become in international cultures.

So if you're a fan of baking or just love Parisian delicacies, then don't miss out on Paul Hollywood City Bakes season 1 episode 2 - Paris - it's definitely a treat!