Here’s What Paul Hollywood Says Is His Biggest Issue With American Baking and Desserts

It appears that Great British Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood has a few things to get off his chest when it comes to American baking.

Hollywood, along with fellow Great British Bake Off Star Prue Leith, recently chopped it up with Eater about American baking versus British baking, the perfect cup of tea, and of course, the show’s infamous Mexican Week episode.

In regards to American baking, Hollywood let it be known that he’s not particularly fond of the portion sizes and sweetness of desserts here in the States.

“It’s a little bit sweeter than British baking. I also think that American bakers tend to celebrate whichever area they’re from in the United States…However sweet they are, I do enjoy them. I just can’t take the portion sizes that get offered. That’s all,” Hollywood told Eater.

Prue Leith chimed in on American baking, adding, “One of the things that struck me, first of all, is the greater tolerance for sugar than there is in Europe. Not everything, but it often is too sweet for me.”

In regards to the backlash Great British Bake Off received after the Mexican Week episode aired, Hollywood revealed that he was “really upset” by the negative feedback. And according to Leith, they never aimed to be controversial with the episode.

“It was quite unfortunate that quite a few people took offense, but we certainly didn’t mean it,” said Leith. “As Paul says, the thing about Bake Off is that it absolutely represents inclusivity and diversity and tolerance and togetherness. I don’t want to sound sentimental, but the fact is that the vibe of Bake Off is entirely cooperative and encouraging. So the idea that we were set out to insult anybody is ridiculous.”