Inverkip HotelA pastry chef says it was the “highlight” of her career to earn a coveted handshake from Paul Hollywood for her millionaire’s shortbread.
The Great British Bake Off star was staying at The Inverkip Hotel, in Inverkip, along with a TV crew on October 7 for filming in the area.
The cast and crew were enjoying drinks at the bar when Mr Hollywood noticed some home baking on the bar.
Caroline Stewart has worked as the pastry chef at the hotel for more than 20 years, producing a wide variety of baked treats for hotel patrons.
Speaking to STV News, Caroline said that she was in the middle of lunch service when she heard that Mr Hollywood was in.
She mulled it over and thought she needed to speak to him, having been a huge fan of Bake Off.
Having heard of her talents, Mr Hollywood said he would critique one of her bakes and so she brought out a slice of her millionaire’s shortbread.
Inverkip HotelShe said: “It was quite nerve-racking to be honest, I felt like a contestant on Bake Off.
“He took a bite of the millionaire shortbread, and it seemed like ages before he gave me his verdict, and then he just put out his hand and gave me the famous Hollywood handshake.
“Honestly, it was the highlight of my career.”
He told her “the ratios were perfect” between the shortbread, caramel and chocolate layers.
Caroline has perfected the recipe after it was passed down through her family.
She said that her mother, grandmother and her daughter are all keen bakers, commenting “it’s in my genes”.
Having worked at The Inverkip Hotel for two decades, Caroline says its the first time something this exciting has happened to her whilst on shift.
Caroline is responsible for all the in-house baking at the hotel and tends to prefer traditional bakes such as sponges and traybakes.
Earning a Hollywood handshake is something Caroline will “cherish forever”.
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