Paul Hollywood's City Bakes Season 2 Episode 8 Bergen

In Paul Hollywood's City Bakes Season 2, Episode 8, the famous baker travels to Bergen, Norway, to explore the city's rich culinary history and tradition. Known for its picturesque scenery and charming old town, Bergen has been voted one of the most delightful cities in Europe, and Paul is eager to discover the secrets of its cuisine.

The episode kicks off with Paul meeting up with local food expert Andreas, who takes him on a tour of some of Bergen's iconic food destinations. From the centuries-old indoor fish market to the bustling open-air fruit and vegetable markets, Paul gets a firsthand look at the ingredients that form the backbone of Bergen's cuisine.

Next, Paul heads to one of Bergen's most famous bakeries, where he discovers a surprising twist on a classic Norwegian pastry. With the help of the bakery's master bakers, Paul learns how to make the city's signature cinnamon rolls, which are infused with cardamom and drizzled with a sweet glaze. He also experiments with a unique savoury version that features melted cheese and crispy bacon bits.

Moving on to more substantial fare, Paul visits a local restaurant that specialises in serving traditional Norwegian meatballs, or 'kjøttkaker'. Here, he meets chef Marius, who shows him how to make the perfect meatball from scratch, using a blend of pork and beef mince. As Paul discovers, the key to a good meatball is in the seasoning, and Marius shares his family recipe for a secret spice blend that adds depth and complexity to the dish.

With his appetite whetted, Paul heads to the mountains surrounding Bergen to experience a true Norwegian tradition – hunting and cooking game. Here, he meets up with local hunter Simon, who takes him on a thrilling hunt for game birds, including grouse and ptarmigan. After a successful day in the wild, Paul and Simon retire to a nearby cabin, where they prepare a hearty game feast featuring roasted birds served with traditional Norwegian accompaniments like lingonberries and flatbreads.

Back in Bergen, Paul visits a local brewery, where he learns about the city's burgeoning craft beer scene. With the help of brewmaster Hans, Paul discovers the process behind making a range of unique local brews, including a refreshing blackberry-infused beer and a potent cherry beer that packs a fruity punch.

Finally, Paul wraps up his visit to Bergen with a visit to a local bakery that specialises in traditional Norwegian tarts. Here, he learns to make a sweet and tangy cloudberry tart, using fresh berries that are only available for a short window each year. With its light, flaky pastry and delicate filling, the cloudberry tart is a perfect example of the delicate balance of flavours that characterises Bergen's cuisine.

Overall, Paul Hollywood's City Bakes Season 2, Episode 8 is a fascinating exploration of one of Europe's most charming and cultured cities. From the bustling markets and bakeries to the wild mountains and breweries, Paul experiences the full range of Bergen's culinary offerings, and comes away with a new appreciation for the city's diverse and delicious cuisine.