Age Action Ireland

The Big Bake 2012

Eight ladies are preparing to battle it out for the title of National Big Bake Winner 2012.

We are delighted to unveil our finalists who will attend our “Big Bake-Off” which takes place onThursday 27th September in Cooks Academy, South William Street, Dublin 2.

It will be judged by Award Winning Chef, TV personality and recent Celtic Cook Off Champion Gary O’Hanlon.

The competition organised by Age Action and sponsored by Bluebird Care will see the ladies battle it out for a chance to bake their masterpiece on Ireland AM on TV3 on Wednesday 3rd October with Odlum’s Catherine Leyden.

The finalists are:

Name- Clare Bellis from Dublin

Item -will cook Rum and Ginger cake.

My grandmother adored a '70s chocolate bar called "Old Jamaica", and was also a great cake maker. This combines her cake making skills and naughty sweet tooth in a modern recipe that tastes very old fashioned.

Name -Laura McFadden from Carrigart

Item -who will bake Chocolate Fudge Cake.

As my favourite recipe, I decided to make a Chocolate Fudge Cake. By using my own initiative, it took a long time to get the cake to perfection. Once I finally mastered it and it was to my satisfaction I decorated it using the nicest chocolate sweets to make the cake more attractive looking and make it stand out. The Chocolate Fudge Cake was enjoyed by family members and neighbours, who gave me great praise for presenting a cake that showed lots of talent, time and creativity. This gave me great courage.

Name - Jill Neary, from Ballina, Co. Mayo

Item -who will bake a fruit soda cake.

I learnt to bake watching my grand-aunt. I used to go down to her in Limerick for my summer hols as a kid. I have tweaked the recipe to suit diabetics as there is no added sugar/salt in it. My dad & best friends son are diabetics.

Name -Karyn Ryan from Navan, Co. Meath

Item -who will bake her mother-in-laws secret recipe for Strawberry Torte.

My mother-in-law Phyllis gave me this recipe. She had it on the highest authority " the bingo ladies" that it was low fat. She passed away a few years ago, and I think of her every time I make it. Thanks for the happy memories Phyllis. We miss you.

Name -Brid Halpin from Rathfarnham, Dublin 16

Item -who will bake Bloomfield Butterfly Buns.

After much debate in our Tuesday's baking group we decided to bake butterfly buns. These were very familiar to our residents who remembered their mothers baking them as treats. It provoked happy memories and we reminisced about the past while tucking into our baked goods washed down with a pot of tea:)

Name -Pamela Farrell, from Navan, Co. Meath,

Item -baking Pam’s Nicker Glory.

I love Pam’s Nicker Glory because it is simply comfort treat at it best. does not take to do no baking require. when feel down I know have a good treat with Pam’s Nicker Glory, all I can say is try for yourself.

Name -Máire Davoren, from Ballybrit, Galway

Item -who will bake a Strawberry and Chocolate Gateaux.

This was the birthday cake i made for my granny the year before she passed away. She grew strawberries at home and used to let us pick them and use them to bake with. She loved to bake and loved chocolate. She always said a little of something nice wont kill you. this is probably where i get my love of baking and my love of chocolate from.

Name -Laoise Casey from Dundrum in Dublin

Item -will cook Bread and Butter pudding using pistachio bread.

When I was little and had a bad day (dramas of the playground!) my Granny’s bread and butter pudding made everything OK. Now that I’m older, it still makes the world a better place. I’ve updated it with pistachio bread to give an extra crunch and a patriotic green filling!

Judges

Gary O’Hanlon, Award Winning Celebrity Chef
Catherine Leydon from Odlums, celebrity baker-extraordinaire and owner of baking blog Catherine’s Kitchen
Rhona O’Connor from Age Action,
Eddie O’Toole from Bluebird Care, Sponsors of The Big Bake and Positive Ageing Week.

Judging Criteria
*Please note that you must be able to bake your recipe in three hours.
Your baked masterpiece will be marked out of ten in the following categories