HOME BAKING IN THE SPOTLIGHT AS JANE ASHER HOME BAKER OF THE YEAR COMPETITION 2009 IS LAUNCHED

1 May 2009

Now in its 6^th year, the growing number of entries to the Jane Asher Home Baker of the Year Competition has charted the triumphant return to the kitchen of home baking.  Not only does it make the family pounds stretch further but there is huge pleasure to be derived from baking with and for others in the home. 

The last two years have also seen an incredible 10% rise in the value of the home baking market, anticipated to reach £491 million in 2008; one of the few market sectors to thrive in the current climate.

Launching the 2009 Competition, actress and queen of home baking Jane Asher says, “There are obviously important social and cultural benefits to be derived from cooking more at home.  With the Home Baker of the Year Competition we really want to remind people how much fun baking can be and how quick and easy it is to turn out delicious results which your family and friends will love you for.” 

Entry to the competition closes on the 10^th August with a Grand Final bake off of the five best entries on Thursday 8^th October 2009, shortlisted by Jane herself.  The winners will be chosen by Jane and a panel of other high profile judges.  First prize is a stunning Poggenpohl Kitchen worth £25,000. Runner-up prizes include a weekend cookery course for two at Lucy Cooks in the Lake District with an overnight stay at the 4* Lakeside Hotel, and Chocolate Wedding and Celebration Cake courses at Manchester’s famed Slattery’s School of Excellence.

Recipes can be brand-new ideas or variations of old classics, whatever you want to enter. “One of the trends we predict for this year’s competition is that there will be more traditional, regional recipes with a modern twist” says Jane “We are really looking forward to re-discovering old favourites such as Bakewell Tarts, Welsh Cakes and Cornish Splits!”

Last year’s Home Baker of the Year winner was Gary Belcher from Hertfordshire with his stunning Apple and Blueberry Crumble Cake. Gary beat off tough competition from the ladies to become the second man to win the competition, which saw a huge increase in the number of male entries for 2008.  His success came on the back of research which shows that two thirds of British men are now baking more often than their fathers!

The competition is open to everyone over the age of 16 who will need to submit their favourite/most interesting recipes online via www.homebake.co.uk or via post to Victoria Foods Ltd, Bright Street, Leigh, Lancashire WN7 5QH.  Entry forms are also included in all of the Jane Asher range of quality baking mixes produced by Victoria Foods.  These are available in all major multiples nationwide.

For further information and visuals please contact Sue James of James PR on suejpr@aol.com or 00 353 857336981.  Samples of the Jane Asher Home Baking Collection of mixes produced by Victoria Foods are also available on request.  Click on www.homebake.co.uk or www.victoriafoods.co.uk for further information about the competition and the Victoria Foods product ranges respectively.