10 EVENT REVIEW The Great Croydon Bake Off
Exchange Square came alive as The Great Croydon Bake Off with the help of Portas Croydon Town Team’s white marquee literally rose from the ground to house what was to be an exceedingly good first round of this 5 part baking contest.
The slight chill in the air was soon expunged as ovens (also provided by the Portas Croydon Town Team) flared up and contestants Kimberley Scott Thomas, Debra Mussell, Geoff Ransom and Neil Ridulfa began the prep for their all-important savoury bakes.
Judges Tim Fisher and Sean Coughlan kept their expert eye over proceedings and offered helpful tips along the way. When asked what his judging criteria was, Sean professed that he felt TV show judging was too strict. For him cooking should allow for trial and error. Ehem! Take note Paul Hollywood!!
Keeping their cool throughout both heats, bakers juggled presenter Rebecca Perfect’s interviews, the crowd’s curious questioning and the judges quizzing all the while kneading their dough and basting their tins.
Just as impressive were the baker’s often adventurous and complex entries which included a Cauliflower Cheese Galette, Red Onion Tarte Tatin, Chocolate Fondant with Rose Cream and my fave, not just for the huge bottle of Cointreau used to infuse the orange icing that crowned winner Kimberley’s sweet entry; Cranberry and Orange Bakewell
Tart with Cointreau icing.
Like it’s TV counterpart Croydon Bake off held all the elements of a winning baking contest. The nervous nail biting anticipation over judges’ deliberation and more importantly the tasting. Here’s where GCBO topped GBBO, as us mere mortals got to sample the mouthwateringly flavourful goods too! That and
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28