We were blown away by the number of entries to our #MakeMeaBakerSBS competition from all over Australia and amazed by your willingness to commit to a 6-month baking course based at BakeClub headquarters in Sydney.
The lucky winner of our full scholarship to BakeClub’s Make Me a Maker program is Hannah Scott, whose winning entry to the question, “What in your wildest dreams would you like to be able to bake and why?”, was heartfelt and captured the essence of why we bake:
"I’d like to perfect the classic victoria sponge cake sandwiched with homemade jam and cream because it’s my Nana’s favourite".
The reasons why people wanted to bake were powerful and varied …
To recreate memories:
To celebrate heritage and pass down recipes through the generations:
To bake a child’s birthday or wedding cake to share with family and friends:
To challenge their skills:
To understand the science behind baking:
What people wanted to learn to bake the most was ...
There were very similar themes in what people wanted to be able to bake, with mastering choux pastry - and all its delicious manifestations - being one of the most requested, from an epic croquembouche tower to Paris Brest to profiteroles.
Sourdough and baguettes topped the bread polls; while the classic French technique, mirror glazing (one of the hottest dessert trends for 2017) proved popular too.
We were stunned by the level of accomplishment of entrants and would like to give a shout-out to these home bakers who are already nailing it:
Then there were those bakers who impressed us with the sheer volume of goods they made to enter the competition:
An honourable mention must to go to @forgoodnessbakesbyc, who stole our hearts with her 13 (!) homemade creations. As a token of our appreciation, we're sending you a signed copy of Anneka Manning's BakeClass: Learn to Bake Brilliantly Step By Step cookbook.
Thanks again to all those who took the time to enter. (We wish we could have chosen all of you!)
We'll keep you posted about our prize-winner Hannah's Make Me a Baker 6-month journey. We'll be publishing her baking diary online, she'll be guest 'gramming on our SBS Food's and BakeClub's accounts, plus we'll be publishing her graduation recipe online when she's completed the baking program in September 2018.
Congrats to Hannah!
And happy baking till we next check in with you.
