PRIZES
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GARY BELCHER WINS HOME BAKER OF THE YEAR 2008
Gary Belcher from Letchworth, Hertfordshire, beat off tough competition from four other Finalists to walk away with the Jane Asher Home Baker of the Year trophy and first prize of a £25,000 Poggenpohl Kitchen with Miele Appliances. The Final was held on October 9th at the stunning Poggenpohl Kitchen Showrooms in Manchester, where a panel of high profile judges including Andrew Nutter, Lucy Nicholson and Jane herself, tasted each of the delicious recipes. Gary’s success comes on the back of recent research which shows that two thirds (63%) of British men are baking more often than their fathers, contributing to the continuing growth of the home baking market.
A record number of entries were received this year for the annual competition – with an impressive rise in male Home Baker entries from just 5% to 11% since last year! The aim of which is to remind people that baking is fun for men and women of all ages and backgrounds. Open to anyone over 16, the Home Baker of the Year Competition focuses on finding the most interesting and the tastiest recipe from entries submitted online via the website www.homebake.co.uk.
Gary commented on the moment he was notified of being short listed, “I was so shocked when I received the news about my inclusion in the final of the Home Baker of the Year. I really enjoyed the day; we had a great time and to take the title is just astounding – I think Jane is a great patron for home baking.”
Gary’s signature dish of Apple and Blueberry Crumble Cake was tasted and scrutinised by a host of judges including:
• Jane Asher
• Local celebrity chef Andrew Nutter
• Lucy Nicholson – famed Lucys of Ambleside
• Karen Barnes, Deputy Editor, Good Housekeeping magazine
• Carmel Thomasson, Lifestyle feature writer ,MEN
• Martin Littler, Product Development Technologist
Actress and queen of home baking Jane Asher commented, 'Gary's cake was delicious, and he's a very worthy holder of the title of Home Baker of the Year. The standard of recipes we received this year was exceptional and the surge in entries confirms the statistics: that the number of households baking at home is increasing rapidly. Partly this is due to a growing interest in the quality of the food we give our families, but also there's no doubt that the current financial situation emphasises the economic sense of baking at home!”
The runner-up prize went to Wendy Mann with her superb Tropical Zingy Chelsea Buns – she won a fantastic weekend cookery course for two at Lucy Cooks in the Lake District plus an overnight stay at the 4* Lakeside Hotel. Three runners-up receive a luxury hamper of goodies from the Jane Asher Home Baking range and a Poggenpohl gift pack.
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Andrew Nutter celebrity chef and owner of Nutters
(Manchester Restaurant of the Year)
joins Home Baker judging panel for the Final October 9th 2008
Lucy Nicholson says Cooking is the new Quad Biking, in the run up to judging at the Home Baker of the Year Grand Final 9th October..."
This year's competition is in proud association with Food Northwest"
Pat Foreman, Chief Executive of Food Northwest and Jane
Also in association with
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JANE ASHER HOME BAKER OF THE YEAR COMPETITION