Cranleigh’s amateur bakers gave Mary Berry a run for her money on Saturday (September 26) at the first ever Great Cranleigh Bake Off! Dozens of entrants and GBBO enthusiasts gathered in the showhome at Swallowhurst, in Cranleigh, to hear who would be crowned Star Baker.
Organised by Linden Homes and Maddalenas, the competition looked to find West Surrey’s best bakers, while raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support as part of its ‘World’s Biggest Coffee Morning’ campaign.
Fuelled by excitement over the current series of BBC1 favourite, the Great British Bake Off (GBBO), the competition was inundated with entries from those keen to show off their culinary skills.
Linden Homes’ Sales Manager, Liz Stone, comments: “The stunning showhome kitchen at Swallowhurst was the perfect setting for such an occasion and there was a great show of support for the Bake Off entrants in a real display of community spirit from local Cranleigh residents.
“The Great Cranleigh Bake Off raised almost £400 for Macmillan Cancer Support, which will go towards much-needed practical, financial and emotional support for cancer patients and their family and friends.”
The judges; Maddaline Punter, owner of Maddalenas Café, Liz Stone, Sales Manager at Linden Homes and the Deputy Mayor and Mayoress of Waverley, were joined by around 60 people for the prize giving with the winners walking away with shopping vouchers, goody-filled hampers and baking kits.
Maddaline Punter said: “We were blown away by the effort and enthusiasm of the bakers and truly amazed at the high standard of entries – it made our jobs as judges an absolute delight yet very difficult at the same time!”
In keeping with the TV show, entrants were asked to submit their creations into three categories; Show Stopper, Cutting Cake or Signature Bake with Star Baker and runner up places in each category.
For the Show Stopper category the novice bakers were tasked with creating a novelty cutting cake with a ‘House’ theme. Runner Up went to Roxy Halcombe for her ‘Haunted House’, complete with ghastly ghouls while Star Baker was awarded to Lyn Reed for the intricate detail on her outstanding ‘Mouse House’ creation.
Those who entered the Cutting Cake had to battle it out to produce a classic family bake – Runner Up was Jill Wood for her fabulous Fruit Loaf, while Frances Fullerton was crowned Star Baker for a Victoria Sponge fit for a queen!
The last of the categories – for young bakers - was split into two age ranges; 6-8 and 9-12, with participants putting forward the cutest of cupcakes. In the 6-8 years’ category Lana Howells Davies (7) was Runner Up for her Red Arrow theme display, while Jasmine Pelham (8) took home Star Baker for her pretty pink piglet cakes.
In the 9-12 years’ category it was a family affair with Runner Up going to Archie Hines (10) for his clown creation and Star Baker to Ruby Hines (11) for her multi-coloured doughnut delights!
To view all the entries visit the Swallowhurst Facebook page: facebook.com/swallowhurstcranleigh
For information on the homes available at Swallowhurst, contact Linden Homes on 01483 667 405.
-ENDS-
Further media information: Nikki Ackerley/ Rebecca Younger, Property House Marketing. Call - 01483 561119 or email - rebecca@housegroup.co.uk
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