Under the expert eye of The Great British Bake-Off series six finalist Ian Cummings, three showstopping bakes from Viola in Year 8, Adam in Year 11 and staff member Alison Maguire were crowned champions of the Cambridge school’s competition.

Cakes from both the preliminary and showstopper rounds were first judged and then sold to raise money for charity. Out of the 40 submissions in the preliminary round, which took place earlier in the year, Ian selected just 13 students and staff to go through to the final showstopper challenge. As a result of the Great Stephen Perse Cambridge Bake-Off, a total of £202 was raised for the Red Cross, the British Heart Foundation, Ella Dawson Foundation, Woodgreen, Blue Smile, Oxfam and Save the Children.

Competition judge Ian Cummings commented: “After some very impressive bakes in the first round the pressure was on for the Showstoppers round! The students rose to the challenge and didn't disappoint, demonstrating impressive technical skills and remaining calm under pressure. The ultimate winners were very worthy opponents, whose contributions were both beautifully presented and very delicious - a big congratulations to all three of them and handshakes all round!”. 

Tasked with creating a baked good that reflected the life and history of Cambridge, the winners artistically crafted edible sculptures of Newton’s apple, punting on the River Cam and a recreation of Peter Randall-Paige’s “Between the Lines”, a granite sculpture that will be familiar to shoppers at Lion’s Yard.

Louise Cresswell, Head of Houses and Social Responsibility Coordinator at Stephen Perse Cambridge, said: “The Great Stephen Perse Bake Off has been a fantastic opportunity for students and staff to come together as a community and raise money for charity. The quality of  the bakes was simply incredible, and we are so proud of all our bakers for their impressive creations and the amount that they were able to raise. We’d also like to thank Ian for bringing his expert opinion and doing the near impossible job of choosing just three deserved winners.”