City of Glasgow College students battle it out for bake off prize

Five final year students from City of Glasgow college took part in the nail-biting challenge which saw them given just 45 minutes to hand decorate a plain sponge cake to mark the start of voting for the Scottish Baker of the Year awards.

All beginning with the same blank canvas, the budding bakers were asked to come up with their unique interpretation of the theme ‘Scotland on A Cake’ to be in with the chance of winning a work experience day at Mimi’s Bakehouse in Edinburgh.

Pictured: The Bakers prepare for action with guest judge Mich Turner MBE

This would be no mean task at the best of times, but watching their every move was a room full of industry heavyweights eager to see who would take home the prize.

That honour was to be decided by Scottish veteran baker Robert Ross and Little Venice Cake Company Founder Mich Turner MBE who were looking for examples of creativity, flair and professional-level techniques.

Five separate tables filled with intricate tools and larger-than-your-head bowls of buttercream were set up to give the students their own individual workstations and there wasted no time getting to it as soon as the clock was started.

Maryam Mehdizadehkasri chose to turn her base into a shaggy-haired highland cow with intricate piping work to evoke a strong sense of texture. Giving a truly professional performance Maryam even managed to finish minutes before the final whistle and leave a spotless workstation behind her.

A patriotic saltire was the work of Diane Cleland whose weapon of choice was fondant icing. The loch ness monster peaked out from a base of blue while another highland cow, albeit mini this time, was placed alongside a thistle on top of the cake.

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A Scotland theme without a nod to Irn Bru would have been a missed opportunity. This was exactly the thinking behind Rebecca Balmforth’s creation which was a show-stopping vibrant orange affair with the piped slogan of “made with girders”.

Love was like a blue, blue rose for Kellyanne McClymot who chose to make her own saltire cake unique by piping beautiful floral looking swirls onto her sponge which contrasted well with clean-lined fondant thistles.

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Finally, Brian Behan also opted for a saltire cake complete with a fondant sgian dubh. Spectators swarmed around his bench as he expertly draped the cake in a blanket of fondant displaying an  impressive talent for keeping cool under pressure

With some bakers decorating right down to the wire the atmosphere became tense in the hall as the final seconds passed by, but the sense of relief, camaraderie, and pride amongst these talented students was strong when they took a step back from their final showstoppers.

After some hard deliberation, it was time for Mich Turner to announce the winner. She said: “It’s been fantastic to watch you at work, get an appreciation of your hand finishing skills and see your personalities.

“You should all be very proud, it’s a real testament to the college and your tutors there.

“Clearly you’re all very patriotic and we’ve seen some real skill today from piping to shaping and even coping with all these cameras in front of you.”

In a final twist of the day, both Diane and Maryam were named as winners for their efforts  and beamed as they stood next to their lovingly prepared cakes before heading for a well-earned cup of tea.

It was a truly amazing event to witness and we see a bright future ahead for all the talented students involved who will all enjoy a day’s work experience at event sponsor BAKO’s development bakery in Preston.

Voting is now open for the Scottish Baker of the Year Awards which will be judged on March, 16 2022.

The winner will be announced at a glitzy ceremony at the Glasgow Hilton on Saturday, May 7 2022.

To cast your vote visit their website at www.bakeroftheyear.scot