With The Great British Bake Off<\/em><\/a> back on our screens, the excitement is palpable. However, for former contestant Ruby Bhogal, the show brings back memories that go beyond just the technical challenges. The 2018 finalist recently shared a humorous, albeit slightly damp, detail about the show\u2019s most coveted accolade: the Paul Hollywood<\/a> handshake.<\/p>\n According to Bhogal, the legendary seal of approval comes with a physical quirk. \u201cHis hands are always so sweaty!\u201d she joked, reflecting on the multiple times she earned the judge’s praise. She even admitted to teasing Hollywood about his clammy palms during their first encounter-a quip that, unsurprisingly, didn’t land quite as well as her bakes.<\/p>\n As the latest cohort of 12 amateur bakers prepares to face the scrutiny of the judges, the atmosphere in the tent is shifting. The addition of culinary icon Nigella Lawson<\/a> to the panel alongside Hollywood, and hosts Alison Hammond<\/a> and Noel Fielding<\/a>, has generated significant buzz.<\/p>\n Bhogal is particularly enthusiastic about Lawson\u2019s involvement, describing her as a \u201cformidable force of great, feminine energy.\u201d Having previously received a glowing endorsement from Lawson for her debut cookbook, One Bake, Two Ways<\/em>, Bhogal speaks from experience. \u201cShe possesses a rare blend of humility and kindness, yet she carries an undeniable alpha presence,\u201d Bhogal noted. \u201cWatching her dynamic with Paul is going to be the highlight of the season.\u201d<\/p>\n It is hard to believe that eight years have passed since Bhogal\u2019s own journey on GBBO<\/em><\/a>. Her 2018 run remains one of the most impressive in the show’s history, especially considering she had only been honing her baking skills for a mere 12 months before entering the tent. <\/p>\n Today, the landscape of competitive baking continues to evolve. With viewership for reality cooking competitions remaining high-often drawing millions of viewers per episode-the pressure on contestants to deliver professional-grade results in record time has never been greater. As the new season unfolds, fans are eager to see if the current crop of bakers can handle the heat, the high-stakes environment, and, of course, the infamous Hollywood handshake.<\/p>\nA New Era: The Arrival of Nigella Lawson<\/h3>\n
From Novice to Finalist: A Lasting Legacy<\/h3>\n