EVOLV3
The EVOLV3 programme continues to provide a broad curriculum of innovative, enriching opportunities for a variety of students across the school.
On Saturday 16th January 2021, 9 of our most talented bakers from KS3 were identified and invited to take part in our 2021 EVOLV3 Blind Bake-Off Competition, focussing on our school value of Positivity.
This was our third EVOLV3 event of the year and it was a cracker from start to finish. Our highly skilled and trained professionals Mr Lilley and Miss Zanjani prepared an excellent event from start to finish. The competition was in the format of a ready, steady, bake off and the staff thought long and hard about the cakes to be baked for each year group on the day. This was evident with the detail included in the recipes’, the preparation and sourcing of the ingredients, the equipment needed to bake, the EVOLV3 Aprons and finally the fantastic prizes for the winners. EVOLV3 would like to recognise this effort as it really helped enhance the whole occasion.
Baking Battle at Horizon International School
EVOLV3 Baking Battle: Inspiring Young Pastry Chefs at Horizon International School
The students were split into different groups and each group had to bake a different type of cake. The chosen cakes were scones, jam and cream, carrot cake, lemon drizzle and a Victoria sponge. The students were paired off and went into a head-to-head bake-off battle. Once all the competitors had collected their ingredients and baking utensils, they were ready to go and were provided with just enough time to prepare, bake and decorate the cakes.
From the start of the competition there was a lovely atmosphere as the as the students worked purposefully around the kitchen. It was great to see the level of focus and composure demonstrated by each of students.
While they were baking, they were being observed and monitored by our panel of judges including Mr and Mrs Gale, Mr Lilley and Miss Zanjani. The criteria they were using to judge was broken down into different categories including health and safety, presentation and overall appearance, level of independence, skill and quality of techniques used and overall flavour and texture of the cake.
If the clock counting down and the judges watching each stage wasn’t enough pressure to cope with they were also being filmed and interviewed by Mr Kuznecovas our videographer for the day. The students were not fazed and took this in their stride. Once the cakes were baked the students turned their attention toward the fillings and decoration. This intricate and vital process can make all the difference with the judgements and once again they proved themselves, showing their creativity and control.
Throughout the day the smells were incredible and doubled the excitement towards the taste test at the end of the day. Each student was provided with a cake stand to display their cake and once they had completed the challenge placed it next to their name card on the display table ready for judging. Everyone finished, all within the set time frame and the cakes looked amazing. After an individual photo shoot showcasing their masterpiece the students were given a well-earned short break which allowed time for the judges to get together for the taste test.
All the judges were extremely impressed with high standards and skills demonstrated as well as the quality, taste, texture and decoration of each cake. It was a very difficult decision trying to narrow it down to the top three as all the students scored highly. However, there were some small but important factors that just tipped the balance in the end.
The final phase of the day was to bring everyone back in to congratulate them all for their fantastic achievements and to announce the 3 winners. Each student received a certificate to recognise their achievement and got to take their delicious cakes home to share with their families. There were three special prizes awarded to the top 3. In third place, winning a junior baker book was Ethyn White from Y8 for his lovely Lemon Drizzle Cake. In second place, winning a professional cooking lesson at Mamula Kitchen at Nakheel Mall and a Junior Baker Book, was Ona Bertran Molinas from Year 9, for her amazing Victoria Sponge. Finally, in first place with an absolutely stunning carrot cake, winning a VIP evening brunch for herself and 2 guests at Leonardo’s Restaurant, including a tour, kitchen demonstration and meet and greet with the Head Chef went to, Kaira Purohit from Year 8. HIS would like to personally thank Leonardo’s Restaurant for kindly donating and providing this great prize.
I would like to finish off by congratulating everyone who took part in the fabulous occasion. It was a great day and experience which we hope will inspire these students to continue to follow their passion and talent for baking. Maybe we will be dining at one of their Michelin Star restaurants in the future.
We look ahead now to our next EVOLV3 Short Stories session on Saturday 27th February 2021.
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