The Great Roath Bake Off cooks up a storm

Cardiff residents came out in full force with their cakes for The Great Roath Bake Off on Saturday night.

The event was a sell-out success, as young and old alike packed into The Coffi House, Wellfield Road with their baking wares. 

The competition was judged by Nikki Vivian, food blogger of Yourlastmouthful.com, Sarah Williams from The Cakehouse, Matt Appleby of RoathCardiff.net and food blogger Emma Gilbertson, who writes A taste of Cardiff. The judges ate their way through the 35 entries marking them on taste, appearance and originality before deciding on their top three.

The first prize winner was Kate Lloyd Hughes of Pentwyn with her Earl Grey-infused chocolate cake. The judges said the cake scored highly particularly because of its originality and exquisite taste. 

Ms Lloyd Hughes said: “It means so much to me to have won, I've always enjoyed baking and trying out new recipes. I've never entered a competition like this before and was quite nervous about it.

 “I have never made it before. I only decided to make it at 12 o’clock, I had a mad dash.”

Her boyfriend Dan said: “I’m really proud of her. Her cakes are always amazing and she should totally go for the Great British Bake off – she could teach Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry a thing or two.”

Ms Lloyd Hughes said: “I'll continue to bake after my win and would love to enter more competitions. My dream would be to open a beautiful vintage inspired tea room, serving beautiful cake on cake stands with vintage tea services.”

Second prize went to Lisa Watts of Bangor Street for her Sticky Toffee Walnut Tart and third prize went to Stefanie Lehmann of Penylan Place with her Pineapple Praline Crème Torte.  

A special prize went to 6-year-old Silas for his weird cake which was a green coloured sponge. 

Organiser of the event,  Wayne Courtney said: “I am absolutely overwhelmed by the success of The Great Roath Bake Off. A great night was had by all.”

Judge Matt Appleby said: "I was honoured to be invited to judge and so impressed with the turnout. There are clearly some hugely talented bakers in Roath who made our job as judges very difficult - but highly enjoyable.”

The cakes ranged from savoury baking to sweet traditional baking such as classic Victoria sponges, banana cakes and brownies. Yet, original and elaborately decorated cakes wowed the audience and judges, from a Cookie Monster cake, to a recreation of The Coffi House and a cake decorated with rose petals.

Rachelle Sutton, who is relocating to Roath from Wigan said of her recreation of The Coffi House: “I don’t usually bake, home economics when I was 16 was the last time I cooked.”

Cardiff Council Leader and councillor for Plasnewydd Rodney Berman attended the event, showing his support for independent businesses. The current owners of The Coffi House, Sylvia and Barrie Winter have decided to sell the business and this was one of their last events. 

Mr and Mrs Winter showed their thanks to the local community by providing a buffet and free bar after the event.

Ms Sutton said: “It was wonderful to see everyone in the local community come together and enjoy delicious cakes, pies and pastries in a bunting-tastic decked out coffi house. As always Sylvia and Barry were the perfect hosts to a fantastic evening. I will be sorry to see them go.”