Victoria Square Bake Off Semi-Final
The Quest To Find The Best ‘Victoria Square Sandwich’ In Northern Ireland!
Victoria Square Shopping Centre recently teamed up with the Women’s Institute to find the best Victoria Sandwich baker in Northern Ireland. On Saturday 28th January representatives from various WI Area groups across the province descended upon WI Headquarters in Belfast for the semi-final to submit their very best four-egg sponge.
Judging the competition were renowned cook and good food ambassador Jenny Bristow and Victoria Square Centre Manager Michelle Greeves. They had a difficult task in judging the delicacies but after the tickling of taste buds and some deliberation, six talented WI bakers were crowned the semi-final winners: Jennifer Creelman (representing Lower Bann Area), Mandy Neill (representing Moyallen Area), Valerie McConnell (representing Abercorn Area), Debbie McKibben (representing Quoile Area), Daphne McCammon (representing Gosford Area) and Muriel Smyth (representing Ards Peninsula Area). There will also be two ladies in reserve for the competition: Stephanie McLean (Clogher Valley Area) and Dawn Devine (Londonderry Area).
The six winning ladies will go forward to compete in the grand final taking place in Victoria Square on Saturday 4th March. The finalists will race against the clock in front of a live audience to bake their best ‘Victoria Square Sandwich’ and the showstopper will literally be the icing on the cake when the contestants will be challenged to delightfully decorate their sandwich for spring, under the watchful eye of host and judge Jenny Bristow.
Michelle Greeves, Victoria Square Centre Manager, is thrilled to be hosting an event like this at Victoria Square. “Baking appeals to all ages, especially now since the growth in popularity of baking TV shows, so this will be a lovely fun family event. There are many great home bakers here and I’m sure many of us can recall our favourite treats baked by family or friends at special occasions. The WI members in particular are famously known for their baking and cooking talent so we’re really excited to get together to have some fun with our own bake-off with a Victoria Square twist.”
Jenny Bristow explained “The Victoria Sandwich has been around for hundreds of years and while basic recipes haven’t changed and may have been handed down through generations, there are lots of variations in terms of fillings and decorations and there may even be some ‘secret’ ingredients used. I will be looking for all the traditional qualities you’d expect from a sponge – light and tender – but there needs to be a good balance of flavour with the sponge and jam and of course, no soggy bottoms allowed!”
The winner will be crowned the coveted title of ‘Victoria Square Star Baker’ and will take home a bundle of premium baking equipment and treats courtesy of House of Fraser. The runners-up will receive a £50 Victoria Square gift card to spend in a choice of 70 stores, cafés and restaurants under the dome at Northern Ireland’s leading retail destination.
Jenny Bristow expertly inspecting one of the entries at the Bake Off semi-final.
Victoria Square Centre Manager Michelle Greeves and good food ambassador Jenny Bristow preparing to tuck in to the tasty treats at the Bake Off semi-final in WI Headquarters.
The Bake Off entrants pictured at WI Headquarters with judges Jenny Bristow and Michelle Greeves. The six semi-finalist winners are seated front row.
The six semi-finalists pictured with Federation Chairman Elizabeth Warden and judges Jenny Bristow and Michelle Greeves.
Bake Off semi-finalist Daphne McCammon (representing Gosford Area) with judges Jenny Bristow and Michelle Greeves.
Bake Off semi-finalist Mandy Neill (representing Moyallen Area) with judges Michelle Greeves and Jenny Bristow.
Bake Off semi-finalist Valerie McConnell (representing Abercorn Area) with judges Michelle Greeves and Jenny Bristow.
Bake Off semi-finalist Jennifer Creelman (representing Lower Bann Area) with judges Michelle Greeves and Jenny Bristow.
Bake Off semi-finalist Debbie McKibben (representing Quoile Area) with judges Michelle Greeves and Jenny Bristow.
Bake Off semi-finalist Muriel Smyth (representing Ards Peninsula Area) with judges Michelle Greeves and Jenny Bristow.
