Robyn Rogers

Having an interest in stories about judging cakes as I get to judge at the Lyonville Cake Bake-Off each year, I recently read an article by a writer that had purchased a cake at a recent cake bake-off in their area.  Just like the Lyonville Cake Bake-Off, once the cakes are judged they can be purchased.  The writer had purchased a beautifully decorated cake – the winner of their section in fact – and had taken it home to share with the family for afternoon tea.  Imagine the writers surprise as they cut into the cake to find that it was actually a fake cake made totally of polystyrene!  All that anticipation for no result!

Fortunately, that is never the case at the annual Lyonville Cake Bake-Off which was held last weekend.  While the cakes entered for the Decorated Cakes section are not tasted – after all we are judging only on the decoration – I am assured that the cakes are very edible as they are purchased or auctioned off. 

The weather was not in our favour this year for the Bake-Off, but it didn’t stop people turning up to enter their cakes or to view the cakes on display.  As usual, the Lyonville Hall Committee turned on a delicious number of cakes, slices, savoury bites and biscuits to purchase with a coffee or tea.  The coffee machine was running hot especially as it was a bit cool outside with all the rain.  It was actually quite difficult to move through the hall with it being so crowded.

There are six divisions for cake entry – General Cakes, Decorated Cakes, Kids, Tarts & Pies, Special Dietary and Cupcakes & Slices.  There are four judges who take three divisions each to try and provide some control over the massive sugar hit that they are about to receive.  The standard is very high and requires some very difficult choices to be made in order to award the prizes.  In particular, the Kids section is well stocked and there are obviously a lot of budding chefs living in and around Lyonville.  It’s great to see the kids being so keen to cook in this time of easy to get take-aways and all you can eat food delivery.

And the winners were………

  • Decorated cakes – Holly Hatfield with Coconut and Passionfruit Curd Cake – prize was a $50 voucher from Sisko Chocolate
  • Cupcakes & slices – Jacqui Siegle with Salted Caramel Fudge – prize was a $50 voucher from Kuki
  • Special Dietary – Maggie Natty with Flourless Almond and coconut cake – prize was a $50 Red Beard Bakery voucher
  • Tarts & Pies – Jason Jones with Sausage rolls – prize was $50 Trentham Pharmacy voucher
  • Kids Runner up – June Kupsch with The Amazing pig Cake – prize was a $25 Daylesford Trading Co voucher
  • Kids Winner – Odessa Fuller with Meringue Birds Nest – prize was a $50 Paradise Books voucher and $30 Trentham Bakery voucher
  • Runner up (joint) General Cakes – Briony Milesi with Spiced apple cake with brown butter icing – prize is Hepburn Distillery Classic Lyonville Gin valued at $79
  • Runner up (joint) General Cakes – Venetia Blackman with Zucchini, lemon, tarragon, olive oil cake with pistachio mascarpone cream – prize was Fleur de Lyonville flower farm tour valued at $95
  • Winner General Cakes – Josh, Sarah, Fern, Franklin with almond cardamom tea cake – prize was a $100 Magic Pudding voucher (donated by Wombat Forest Organics) and a bottle of sparkling rose $35 donated by Belle Property Trentham

The judges were Fiona Kelly from Belle Property Trentham, Christina Tantsis from Sisko Chocolate Kyneton, Brian Hood, Councillor HSC and Robyn Rogers, local cook.  It was a tough job but we were all up to the task and as usual, thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Judges at the bake-off (L to R): Christina Tantsis, Fiona Kelly, Cr Brian Hood and Robyn Rogers. (Photo: Robyn Rogers)

This year’s Bake-Off raised $4000 which is a fantastic result and testament to the generosity of the local community.  All money raised goes to support future development and maintenance of the Lyonville Hall. 

Robyn Rogers is a presenter on HEPFM and a member of The Wombat Post Editorial Committee.