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North East Surrey College of Technology (Nescot) was delighted to host the SurreyFE SEN Bake-off Competition, the latest in the series of inter-college skills competitions. The competition which was held on Friday 09 May, featured showstopping creations by students from the four SurreyFE colleges - Activate Learning (Guildford college), Brooklands Technical College, East Surrey College, and Nescot.
Teams of two students representing each college participated in the creative baking competition. They were selected following competition heats within their respective colleges. They all worked to a set brief, creating unique cakes of their own chosen theme based on, ‘The Magic of Nature’, ‘Keep It Moving’ (for sport or transport) or ‘What Makes Us Happy’.
The event was judged by Andrew Willetts, Chief Executive Officer of The Orpheus Centre; Stephen Eagle from Aramark and Kate Mason, Nescot Catering and Hospitality lecturer.
The judges were so impressed with the teams’ professionalism and incredible bakes. They awarded:
First place to Nescot:
Second place to Brooklands Technical College:
Joint Third place to East Surrey College and Activate (Guildford College)
Competition judge, Andrew Willetts, Chief Executive Officer of The Orpheus Centre said: Thank you to all of the colleges that took part today. It was a privilege to be part of the day and support all four colleges in their success. The skill level and the execution of what was baked on the day was outstanding. Well-done to everyone who took part, you should be really proud of yourselves and the colleges that you represented, and well done to the overall winner, Nescot.”
Competition judge, Kate Mason, Nescot Catering and Hospitality lecturer added: “All teams demonstrated excellent teamwork and good hygiene practices. They clearly all practised their cakes, and executed them brilliantly. The flavours were fantastic throughout, as was the definition of layers, the cakes were all beautiful and very professionally done. Well-done to all.”
The participants were judged on, creativity (including, flavour combination, originality and execution of design concept, creativity in colour and decoration), time management, ability to work under pressure, health and safety, hygiene standards, attention to detail, safe handling of equipment, presentation skills, story-telling through cake design and communication skills.
Participants had to complete all elements within a set allocated time, and also prepare a slide presentation to explain their creative ideas and cake design concept, when presenting their finished cakes for tasting to the judges.
Competition winners from Nescot, Jamie and Omal, Foundation Learning Entry Level 2 Employability Pathway students, put in hours of practice, even, coming in during their days off to perfect their baking skills. They both said that they are so pleased that their hard work and practice paid off and were thankful to their tutors, Gemma and Maliha for guiding and helping them.
Participants created their bakes in the kitchen at Nescot’s Foundation Learning Hub. The department’s Entry Level 3 students assisted with customer service and hospitality, and 14-16 students prepared lunch which was served in the Hub's Season’s café.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Julie Kapsalis, Nescot Principal and CEO said: “Congratulations to all the participants and to our very own students, Jamie and Omal. Thank you to everyone that made this glorious competition possible, our judges, Andrew, Kate and Stephen, for their time, all the participating colleges, the wonderful students, and to all the amazing staff and Learning Support Assistants that made this competition a success.
“It’s been a pleasure hosting the SurreyFE SEN Bake-Off competition at Nescot and brilliant to see everyone coming together to produce these incredible bakes. This is what it’s all about, the community of learning and fantastic engagement between students.”
SurreyFE is a collaborative network committed to driving excellence and innovation across further education in Surrey. The partnership supports joint initiatives, staff development, and learner-focused opportunities across the region.