THE baking world’s ‘rising’ stars ‘proved’ their worth in a fairy cake masterclass at a top North East hotel.
As TVs Great British Bake Off prepares to announce its 2016 winner, 20 Year 3 pupils at Corbridge First School, Northumberland, made a special visit to nearby Matfen Hall Hotel to learn the basics of baking.
The seven and eight-year-olds were put through their paces by the award-winning hotel’s head chef, Paul Blakey, who showed them how to make cakes and explained the science behind baking.
And seven-year-old Cate Wootton’s pink iced zombie and vampire cake, proved a particular favourite with judge Bernard Bloodworth, Managing Director at the four-star hotel, who presented her with a first prize in their very own version of the popular Junior Bake Off competition. The prize was an ice cream maker.
The initiative is part of a rolling campaign by Matfen Hall Hotel to teach children about food – where it comes from and how to cook it.
Paul Blakey, head chef of Matfen Hall, said: “Baking and decorating are such great skills for children to learn. They rolled and cut out chocolate chip scones, a new addition to the children’s afternoon tea menu we have just launched. They then learned how to make cupcakes, mixing all the ingredients ready to be baked.
“They then decorated their cupcakes with a Halloween theme, which was really popular as they used artificial blood icing and bright green butter cream slime”.
For further information about Matfen Hall Hotel and for information about the afternoon tea menus, call 01661 886500 email info@matfenhall.com or visit www.matfenhall.com.