Cake and Bake 2016
This is the fourth year I have attended the Cake and Bake Show in London. It has moved venues over the years but was back at the Excel Centre this weekend. The UK's only live consumer event dedicated to the world of cakes, bakes and the art of baking - it's a date always marked on the calendar.
I have taken my eldest daughter, met with friends, work colleagues but this time it was a quick trip with my 10 year old daughter, who loves to bake more than me!
We went on the Saturday and although we missed Nadiya Hussain, we saw Jo Wheatley, Rosemary Shrager, Paul Young, Paul Jagger (making a mouthwatering Tomato, Basil and Olive Focaccia) and my favourite French Chef Eric Lanlard.
I think that the quality of demonstrations at the Super Cake & Bake Theatre are very high, and this year was no exception. The Theatre was sponsored by Argos. The demonstrators are entertaining and, as amateurs, we all learn a few tips watching the experts.
The atmosphere, stalls, food demos, and food to eat were all similar as before. I always think its a great family show with all ages bustling around armed with cake tins to icing to boxes of biscuits and maccaroons.
As you walk in the main entrance this year you are greeted by a wonderful replication of the BFG. This was created by Jacqui Kelly, and supported by Cake Decoration and Sugar Craft Magazine. It was amazing.
This year there were several classrooms. Each baking or decorating classroom ticket had to be purchased in advance and it sounds like it is a more intimate time with the expert. New for 2016, Slice of Advice is a relaxed and inviting area of the Cake & Bake show where experts from the industry including award winning chocolatier, Paul Young, baking expert, Juliet Sear and successful vlogger, Rosie Cake Diva were all on hand to speak to visitors and answer any baking and decorating questions.
I was also really pleased to see the Cake & Bake Competitions were back. Last year I really missed this area of the show. The theme for this year's competition was Myths, Legends and Fairy Tales. From the likes of Harry Potter to Game of Thrones, these cakes are inspired by historical tales, folklore fantasies, elves, fairies, giants, witches and magic.
From an overwhelming amount of entries, the judges narrowed the competition down to a final shortlist, and were amazed at the creativity of the chosen finalists. There were two new categories, which I thought were excellent additions to the show: Cupcakes and Children's Birthday Cakes.
The judging panel included Eric Lanlard, Publisher of Cake Decoration and Sugarcraft Magazine, Leanne Cooper, Rosie Cake Diva, Charlotte White, John Whaite and an expert from Le Cordon Blue. Judging was on creativity, skill, visual appeal and interpretation of the theme.
This year another improvement was the Kids Zone - where little ones can try their hand at icing and decorating sweet treats amongst other activities. This area was run by Ronald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity, as their official charity partner. The charity supports seriously ill children in the UK. It was well done and I was sorry to miss 'Storytime'.
If you are closer to Manchester in location you may want to check out The Cake and Bake Show in Manchester at Eventcity