The Bake Off is Back For a Second Slice
Five young bakers from across the county came together to battle it out, creating their ‘Show Stopper’ cakes to be in with the chance of winning the title of ‘Star Baker 2018’.
‘The Boston College Bake Off’ aims to highlight the talent and skills of some of the counties best young bakers. With this year’s theme of ‘Around the World’, schools across the county were contacted back in December 2017 with the opportunity for their year 9, 10, and 11 students to submit their ‘Show Stopper’ cake ideas. After receiving an overwhelming amount of entries, the top five were shortlisted and invited in to the College to take part in the Boston College Bake Off Masterclass, where they were put through their paces to create three different tea pastries.
‘The Boston College Bake Off’ final saw last year’s winners William Lovell C.O.E Academy competing to take the title again with Katherine Tomes, Molly Chapman and Melissa Brown representing them, alongside Pippa Richard from Boston High School and Oliver Batt from St George’s Academy. The students spent the day in the College’s professional industry standard bakery creating their ‘Show Stopper’ Around the World themed cake from their original paper entry.
Once completed the cakes were then judged by Caroline Parker-Meadows, Programme Area Manager for Catering and Hospitality, Andy Readman, Boston College Bakery Lecturer and Mike Myers from Myers Bakery, famous for their original Lincolnshire Plum Loaf. After much deliberation, Oliver Batt from St George’s Academy was announced as the ‘Star Baker 2018’. Oliver took the title by putting his own unique spin on this year’s theme, by using only fair trade ingredients for his mocha-inspired cake, which he decorated with handmade truffles. Not only did Oliver win himself an amazing £100 Russums voucher, along with a hamper full of baking equipment to further his baking talent, but also scooped a £500 Russums voucher for his school’s Catering and Hospitality Department. All five finalists also walked away with a branded ‘Bake Off’ apron, a Mary Berry cookery book, a bag full of Myers Lincolnshire plum loaf and hot cross buns, as well as individual feedback on their final cakes.
Speaking of his win Oliver said, “This is the second year I have entered the Bake Off competition. From attending last year, I learnt a lot on how to improve and I have been practicing lots ready for the final today. I decided to keep it simple, but effective. I’m over the moon with winning, I’m still in shock!”
Holly Haywood, St George’s Academy’s Food Technology teacher said, “I am very proud of Oliver’s achievements, we enter competitions such as these to expand students, skills and make links with local colleges. Oliver meticulously planned and practiced his winning cake ensuring he demonstrated his skills, specialist techniques and an artistic flare, which resulted in him producing an outstanding cake; I am very pleased for his thoroughly deserved win and hope he spends the vouchers well. At St George’s Academy, we are planning to spend the vouchers on some new equipment for our Food classrooms.”
Mike Myers, Myers Bakery said, “All of the cakes are winners in their own individual way. The standard was very high, but Oliver’s cake had the whole package – the sponge, decoration, and final presentation. Well done Oliver.”
If you are interested in studying Catering and Hospitality at Boston College, visit the Catering and Hospitality course area page for more information.