A SHORT tube ride from where I work lies the best baking attraction in the country.
Which is how I found myself at The Big London Bake South, a baking tent tucked away behind the back of a pub in Tooting in South London.
THE BIG BAKESThe Big Bakes operates in three locations across the country, and it’s exactly like the hit TV show – just without the ever-evasive Hollywood handshake[/caption]
JAMES HANMANAt the Big London Bake, we were given 90 minutes to create a Halloween Bake[/caption]
HOPE BROTHERTONAt the end of the 90 minutes, our bakes were judged by a Head Baker[/caption]
JAMES HANMANAs neither of us are avid bakers, it felt like we’d thrown ourselves into a technical challenge[/caption]
The Big Bakes operates in three locations across the country, and it’s exactly like the hit TV show – just without the ever-evasive Hollywood handshake.
Set inside a large white marquee, guests will find 12 well-equipped baking stations.
While the TV bakers whip up batches of batter on their own, these baking stations ask for visitors to work in pairs to create their very own star bake.
Each of the stations comes equipped with baking equipment like a standing mixer, pre-weighed ingredients, and a laminated sheet of instructions.
Last week, my friend James and I attempted to make the Peek-A-Boo cake – the attraction’s Halloween Bake.
As we read over the instructions, I tied my curly back and we pulled on our black aprons.
As neither of us are avid bakers, it felt like we’d thrown ourselves into a technical challenge.
Because the ingredients were already weighed and sorted, our nerves quickly evaporated as we watched our batter come to fruition.
While the instructions were there, there was plenty of scope to be creative at the quirky attraction.
We headed to “Creation Corner” where we picked out a range of flavourings, food colourings, and decorations.
Even though there were plenty of options to choose from, we played it safe with vanilla essence and cocoa powder.
Back at our station, we added the additional flavourings to our batter and divided the mixture evenly between four small baking tins.
After we placed the cakes in the oven (which had already been pre-heated before we arrived), we set to work on making the buttercream and other decorations.
But as we enjoyed a chat at our station, our progress quickly halted and time ran away from our bake.
While my friend created spooky figures from pieces of fondant, I set to work making the buttercream.
But as we constructed our four-tier cake with alternating layers of buttercream, our time had well and truly run out.
As I smeared buttercream on every curve of the cake, my friend and I ran out of time to cover the cake in black fondant, so our cake ended up looking like a leg of ham.
In a bid to cover the buttercream, we chucked Halloween decorations and my friend’s fondant creations onto the cake.
While we were proud of our handiwork, it was safe to say the other bakers had blown our rather rushed cake out of the water.
Even though the cakes are judged at the end, there’s a great sense of camaraderie in the tent.
The head baker only judged the cakes based on their appearance, which included the size of the layers and the decorations.
After the judging was completed, we were allowed to divide our cakes into two giant takeaway boxes so we could take them home.
Despite running out of time, my friend and I had 90 minutes of pure fun.
While bakers are running around getting their cakes in the oven, there is a team of staff members on site who clean and tidy the stations, which only adds to the fun.
So, is the Big London Bake worth a visit?
If you’re a fan of the Great British Bake Off, love to bake, or just want to give baking a try, then it’s definitely worth a trip.
As well as The Big London Bake South, there are two other venues in the UK, including one in Haggerston in East London, and another in Digbeth in Birmingham.
The Peek-A-Boo Bake, which is the Halloween Bake, will run across all locations from October 2 to November 6.
Tickets start from £40 per person for a 90-minute baking session, and should be booked in advance online.
And I’m not the only fan of the attraction either, Drs Baj and Vaish, the two travel experts behind the Instagram page, Exploring London, also spent an evening baking up a storm in the tent.
HOPE BROTHERTONWe ran out of time to properly decorate our cake[/caption]
SUPPLIEDTickets start from £40 per person for a 90-minute baking session[/caption]
HOPE BROTHERTONThe other bakers put our creation to shame[/caption]
THE BIG BAKESThe Peek-A-Boo Bake, which is the Halloween Bake, will run across all locations from October 2 to November 6[/caption]