# Paul Hollywood's handshake explained

> The Great British Baking Show's most coveted honor started as a casual gesture and became television gold.
- Title: Paul Hollywood's handshake explained · Taste of Home
- Summary: The Great British Baking Show's most coveted honor started as a casual gesture and became television gold. Paul Hollywood's handshake is his way of…
- Keywords: paul hollywood, great british baking show, hollywood handshake, baking competition, television tradition, nigella lawson, baking show judges, contestant recognition, Paul, Hollywood's, handshake, explained
- Source: Taste of Home — https://tasteofhome.com/article/paul-hollywood-handshake-great-british-baking-show
- Author: Lindsay Parrill
- Published: 2026-09-18T23:10:58+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: paul hollywood, great british baking show, hollywood handshake, baking competition, television tradition, nigella lawson, baking show judges, contestant recognition
## The handshake that stops time
On The Great British Baking Show, Paul Hollywood's handshake has become one of the most coveted honors, capable of reducing composed adults to tears.
## What the handshake really means
A Hollywood handshake is Paul's way of recognizing a truly exceptional bake. It's an unofficial honor awarded entirely at his discretion when a baker impresses him enough to warrant more than praise.
## Paul's demanding standard
In a 2022 interview, Paul explained he judges a bake by deciding if it's something he'd sell in a shop under his own name. It needs to be distinctive, technically accomplished, and ideally perfect.
## Not a guarantee of victory
While a handshake is a tremendous compliment, it isn't a guarantee of winning Star Baker or surviving the week. It's simply recognition of an outstanding bake.
## How it all started
Paul first shook a contestant's hand during season two simply to congratulate them on a job well done. He hadn't intended to start a tradition and was surprised when the gesture took on a life of its own.
## A gesture gone global
Paul told TVLine that strangers around the world now approach him hoping for a handshake, an experience he describes as weird. The casual gesture has become an international phenomenon.
## The lesser honor
Paul also introduced the 'Paul pat' for bakes that come close to meeting his standards. It's a consolation gesture for those who almost earned the coveted handshake.
## Television magic
Contestants have cried, gasped, and forgotten how to behave when receiving a handshake. In 2019, baker Henry Bird was so stunned he told Paul to shut up, prompting laughter from the entire tent.
## Why it still matters
There's something lovely about watching a talented home baker receive recognition after hours of agonizing over every detail. The handshake may be ridiculous, but earning one is still one of the show's best moments.
## Key takeaway

Paul Hollywood's handshake is his way of recognizing truly exceptional bakes that meet his demanding standards, but it started completely by accident.