Aisya’s Baking Success – Media Team Report

Category: Media Team, News, Students write

12 Jun 2022

Junior Bake Off is one of the most popular baking shows for children in the UK. The show consists of 2 heats, each containing 8 bakers. These young bakers tackle a series of challenges involving baking cakes, biscuits, bread, and pastries, competing to be crowned Junior Bake Off Champion. During the summer holidays 2021, the latest season of Junior Bake Off was filmed, and we are proud to announce that Aisya N in 8-2 was selected to bake for the show! We are so proud of Aisya ; her love for baking helped her glide through the competition, collecting 2 Star Baker awards along the way!

On Aisya’s first day at the Junior Bake Off tent, it was cake day, and for the Technical challenge, the contestants had to bake the ‘Liam Charles Upside Down Cake.’ Aisya came 4^th out of 8 in this challenge. A very good achievement! Soon after, it was time for the Showstopper. The contestants had to bake a ‘Dreams Cake’ (a cake portraying their dreams.) Aisya created a beautiful masterpiece reflecting on her love for marine life and the underwater world, called ‘My Fish Friendly Undersea Cake.’ This cake wowed the judges according to presentation, colour and flavour! Her wonderful treat earned her a place in the next round.

The next day was Biscuit Day, and for the Technical challenge, the contestants had to bake ‘3 Biscuit Sunglasses.’ Aisya managed to pull it off, with a twist! She piped the judges’ names on the sunglasses! This personalisation, along with the amazing flavour of her bakes, earned her 2^nd place out of 8. An amazing achievement! As her energy flowed throughout the day, it was soon time for the Showstopper. The contestants had to bake an ‘About Me’ biscuit box, which showcased her hobbies. Aisya’s Orange & Cinnamon Biscuit ‘About Me’ Box satisfied the judges beyond expected! Our full-of-surprises Aisya had more in store for the judges. Aisya added a ‘Pull Me’ section on the box, which produced pictures of her growing up coming out of the box! It was very inventive and the judges were shocked to see this wonderful effort, which earned her a place in the next round.

Aisya’s third day at the tent was Bread Day, and for the Technical challenge, the contestants had to make ‘Bear & Share Bread.’ Aisya pulled it off just in time, even managing to draw different expressions on all of the bear’s faces! Aisya came 1^st out of 7! Aisya was very proud of herself! Well done Aisya! Soon after this great achievement, it was time for the Showstopper. The contestants had to bake a ‘Best Day Focaccia,’ which showcased their favourite day. Aisya created a beautiful savoury focaccia called ‘Gelato In Venice.’ Her creation showcased her amazing trip to Venice, and her colours wowed the judges with its vibrancy. Aisya’s focaccia earned her a place in the next round once again!

Soon after, it was the next day: Dessert Day! For the Technical challenge, the contestants had to make a ‘Rainbow-Baked Alaska.’ Aisya’s Alaska was delicious, but she needed to improve the quality just a bit more. Aisya came 4^th out of 6. There was a possibility of her leaving the competition on this day. However, soon came the Showstopper. For the Showstopper, the contestants had to make ‘Dessert Imposters’ (desserts which looked different to how they tasted.) Aisya created a ‘Chicken Satay’ imposter dessert. Her bake was absolutely flawless! The judges were so blown away, they couldn’t believe what they were tasting! Aisya’s ‘Chicken Satay’ actually looked like a plate of Chicken Satay on a table! Despite her clumsy start, Aisya’s dessert lead the way, and the judges just had to award her Star Baker! We are all so proud of Aisya, it isn’t easy to win Star Baker!

The final day before Final’s Week was Pastry Day. For the Technical challenge, the contestants had to make ‘6 Pop Stars.’ Aisya’s Pop Stars were flawless! She came 1^st out of 5! As Aisya’s confidence grew, it was time for the Showstopper. For the Showstopper, the contestants had to make a ‘Family Crest Pie,’ which showcased their heritage. Aisya’s pie (which was half British, half Malaysian) was absolutely delicious, and the judges described it as ‘a pie which took us back to Malaysia.’ Her pie earned her a spot in the next round! Aisya had made it to Final’s Week!

In Final’s Week the top 4 contestants from each heat compete against each other. The first day of this was Chocolate Day! For the Technical challenge, the contestants had to make ‘6 Miso Caramel Tartlets.’ Aisya missed the mark and unfortunately came 7^th out of 8. This disadvantage could’ve costed her to lose her place in the competition. However, Aisya redeemed herself in the Showstopper, where the contestants had to make ‘Mini Chocolate Mousse Mirror Glaze Cakes.’ Aisya’s ‘Chocolate and Passion Fruit Mirror Glaze Cakes’ were full of flavour and were very presentable. The judges loved them, and Aisya earned herself a place in the next round of Final’s Week!

The next day of Final’s Week brought Super Snacks to the tent! For the Technical challenge, the contestants had to make ‘2 Waffle Sandwiches.’ Aisya struggled a little, and as this was very tricky, the judges found it hard to rank the contestants. Aisya came 6^th out of 7. However, soon came the Showstopper! The contestants had to make a ‘Super Size Snack!’ Aisya’s made a huge ‘Caramel Biscuit Bar’ which had heavenly layers of delicious elements! The judges savoured this sweet treat, and Aisya was once again skilled enough to earn herself a spot in the next round!

Then it was Magical Day! For the Technical challenge, the contestants had to make ‘6 Illusion Sponges.’ Aisya baked some flawless ‘washing-up sponges’ which actually looked like sponges! Her ‘washing up liquid’ had a very good consistency! Aisya came 1^st out of 6! Incredible! Then it was the Showstopper, where the contestants had to make a ‘Magical Flowing Cake’ (a cake which has an edible flowing element.) Aisya’s red velvet ‘Phoenix, Guardian of Treasure Mountain Cake’ was so vibrant and beautiful! The little fondant characters were so cute and her flowing element was delicious! Aisya earned herself a place in the next round once again! Woo-hoo! Go Aisya!

It was the semi-finals. The last day of Final’s Week. It was… Fruit Day! For the Technical challenge, the contestants had to make ‘6 Lemon And Elderflower Jelly Snow Globes.’ Aisya made some delicious and balanced treats! The jelly was perfectly wobbly and her globes looked beautiful! Aisya came 2^nd out of 5! What an amazing way to start the day! Soo after, it was the Showstopper, where the contestants had to make a ‘Fruity Meringue Celebration Tower’ (a tower of creamy meringues topped with fruit.) Aisya’s ‘Garden Party Meringue Tower’ was so tall and creamy! Her ratio of sugar and fruit was perfectly balanced! The judges once again had no choice but to award Aisya Star Baker! Aisya deserved it! She had made it to the Finals! She was on fire!

Now, the time had come. The Finals of Junior Bake Off. Who was going to win? Who would be crowned the champion? The first challenge of the day was the Signature challenge. The contestants had to make ‘Dessert Jars and Ice Cream Sandwiches.’ Aisya created some absolutely delicious ‘Helter Skelter Cheesecake Jars and Bubble Gum Ice Cream Sandwiches.’ Her flavour was on point and her presentation and decoration was awe-inspiring. After the tense first challenge, soon came the Showstopper! For this, the contestants had to bake a ‘Funfair Cake.’ Aisya baked a mesmerising ‘Hook A Duck Funfair Cake,’ which even had a rotating hook a duck section at the top! Aisya’s 3 tiers consisted of jam, candyfloss and toffee apple! The judges adored her colourful bake and the depth of flavour Aisya had added. Aisya had a very good chance at winning! As all the 4 contestants gathered outside the tent, the winner of Junior Bake Off 2022 was announced! The winner was a 13-year old girl called Kezia, who made an amazing Carousel Cake that looked professional! Aisya also did exceptionally well, and no one will ever forget the great big smile on her face that she maintained throughout the competition. Well done Aisya! We are so proud of you!