Great British Bake Off sensation Norman Calder returned to the kitchen yesterday to judge a cake contest at his hometown school in Moray.
Stepping into Paul Hollywood’s shoes for the first time offered the retired Merchant Navy radio officer a whole new perspective on competitive baking at the Great Buckie High Bake Off.
After five weeks of heats, 30 cooking pairs of students and staff were whittled down to just six finalist teams who competed for the bake off crown.
Ian Watson, owner of Cullen Bay Hotel, joined Mr Calder to judge the winning entry after the teams were asked to create a “Halloween Show-Stopper” cake.
Mr Calder said: “This was a new experience for me. It was the first time I have judged anyone. I think I prefer baking. Judging is a very difficult job, especially when there may only be the slightest difference between entries, how are you supposed to pick a winner?
“I was very impressed with the contest. It seemed very well organised and the bakers all seemed very keen and bashed on with their baking. They were able to ignore us walking about too, which isn’t easy.”
While the baking did not phase them, many of the contestants spoke of their nerves ahead of meeting the local celebrity.
Fifth year hospitality student, Toni Chisholm said: “Seeing somebody from Buckie doing so well makes you think someone else from Buckie could go and do it.”
Dionne Sudding, a 4th year finalist, said: “Norman is an awesome guy with cooking and what he’s done is an inspiration.”
However, Mr Calder laughed off the celebrity tag, adding: “There’s no need to be nervous with me. They are probably all better bakers than I am. You don’t have to be an expert baker to take part in the show.”
Principal of home economics, Louise Murray, set up the competition and said the entire school was “buzzing” about the contest and Mr Calder’s guest judge appearance.
The winning couple were fourth year student, Angel Patterson, and principal teacher of art, Mrs Sarah Matthews, with their Angel and Devil-themed cake, featuring three coffins topped with a marshmallow and white chocolate hand.
Mrs Matthews said: “We practiced it once and it went fine and it all got eaten, so we’re just glad everybody liked it.”
School librarian Stephen Leitch said: “It’s been great to do something a bit different with the students. The whole competition has been a really positive experience to be able to work with the students in a fun and unique way. It’s been fantastic.”