The residents and their grandchildren were surprised by the winner of Great British Bake Off after a festive baking contest in Buckinghamshire.
The residents of Portobello Place luxury care home in Chesham joined forces with their grandchildren to bake fruit and nut muffins, and Victoria sponge and chocolate cakes topped with seasonal decorations during a friendly competition on December 10.
Four residents Judith Farrow, Enid Bell, Sally Martins, and Freda Cooper and their grandchildren were surprised by a personal greeting by the youngest ever winner of Bake Off Peter Sawkins, 22, who won the popular TV competition in 2020.
The Scottish baker told the elderly and young bakers in a personalised Cameo video greeting: “I’d like to give a shoutout to all the residents and their grandchildren of Portobello Place care home in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, who are taking part in their very own Christmas bake off today.
“Baking is such a fantastic way for different generations to bond together and have fun, and I hope you all have an absolutely fantastic day and I wish you all a very merry Christmas.”
All bakers were dressed in professional chef hats and aprons provided by Portobello Place, while the care home was decorated in bunting and professionally designed event posters to mark the occasion.
The joint winners of the care home competition were Judith Farrow with her sponge cake and Freda Cooper, who baked cherry muffins with the support of her great grandchildren, Dexter and Brandon.
The winning pair decorated their masterpieces with colourful, festive edible Santa toppers and cherries.
Since the competition was also open to any other residents, who wanted to join in non-competitively, the other bakers and their grandchildren also received medals for their festive creations.
General Manager of Portobello Place Catherine Emekwuo said: “We are so pleased that the bake-off contest for our residents and their grandchildren was such a huge success.
“It was also a fantastic surprise to get a personalised message from Peter Sawkins wishing all of our residents the best of luck and reminding us of all of the quality time with loved ones that baking allows for.
“This festive event was testament to the high quality of care we provide here at Portobello Place, ensuring that each day for our residents is one filled with happiness.”
The contest was organised to celebrate the care home’s recent five-star food hygiene score, and joined by local photographer Adam Hollier, who has previously captured Royal events.
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