Cornish bread-making supremo, Baker Tom Hazzeldine was on hand to judge as the contestants competed to cook a traditional Swiss Roll in under 2 hours. As a true technical challenge, the bakers were given identical ingredients but given creative freedom in their decoration and filling.
Gold prize in the countywide competition went to Angus McDonald, from Constantine School. Only ½ a point away from the top score, Emma Sellwood, from Bosvigo, was awarded silver and Matilda Bennett, from Kea, received bronze.
The top three bakers beat a strong field of eight entries with the final result declared “deliciously close” by the judges. Bakes were sampled several times before a decision was reached and judging included precise measuring of how much the cakes had risen.
Jemima Vitulli, from St Uny; Megan Dyer, from Mawnan Smith; Sam Galligan, from Cusgarne; Lilly-Grace, from Mylor Bridge; and Nia Edwards, from Truro High School also competed in the final.
All contestants were complimented on their “incredible attention to detail” by Head Judge, Baker Tom who was particularly impressed that so many of the young bakers had even concocted their own jams and curds on the day.
He said: “It has been an absolute privilege to judge some of the rising stars of Cornish baking and I’m delighted to see so many children from across the county getting inventive in the kitchen and finding their inner baker. All of the contestants really proved themselves today letting their ingredients shine through to create some really delicious bakes.”
The young bakers had been whittled down from nearly 200 children from fifteen local schools in the search for Cornwall’s best young baker.
The panel included Truro High’s Head of Food Mrs Lisa van der Lem and the Head Chef and owner of the celebrated Cornish bakery Baker Tom’s, Tom Hazzeldine.
The competition was organised by Truro High School for Girls and open to young bakers in Years 5 & 6 from across Cornwall.
First prize included a Baker Tom’s bread-making kit, the Great Cornish Food Book and a special breakfast at the bakery itself. Angus’ whole class is now also invited to take part in a half-day food workshop, including cooking and food science, at Truro High School during the summer term. Truro High is the top school in Cornwall for GCSE and A level and is ranked within the Top 1% of schools in the UK for value added at A level.
