Who will be crowned apple day’s star baker?
There’s something rather special about an apple bake. Whether it’s a classic apple pie, a perfectly spiced cake, a buttery tart or a recipe that’s been passed down through the family, apples are a wonderfully versatile ingredient.
Our annual apple day baking competition is back, and we’re looking forward to seeing what you’ve been creating in the kitchen. With separate categories for adults aged 15 and over and children aged 14 and under, there’s a chance for bakers of all ages to take part, with a prize for the winner of each category.
Meet this year’s judges
We’ve got a brilliant panel of judges lined up to taste their way through this year’s entries.
Charlie Crote, Head Chef at Constance at Fulham Pier
Charlie is Head Chef at Constance at Fulham Pier, a neighbourhood restaurant serving seasonal British dishes. A Fulham local, Charlie loves to bake, and baked apple tarte tatin is top of his list of favourites, particularly when served with both vanilla ice cream and custard.
With his experience in the kitchen and love of a good apple dessert, Charlie will certainly have a tough job ahead of him when it comes to choosing his favourites.
Gemma Blackie, Pearly Queen of Fulham
Gemma Blackie is Fulham’s Pearly Queen and is keeping alive a much-loved London tradition. The role has its roots in the charitable tradition started by Henry Croft in 19th century London, and today Gemma continues to support local communities, raise money for charity and take part in borough, cultural and community events.
We’re delighted to welcome Gemma to the judging panel and can’t wait to see which bakes catch her eye.
Patsy Holloway, chef and food lover
Our third judge is Patsy Holloway, a chef born in Amsterdam who now lives in Texas, USA. Patsy’s love of cooking started at an early age and has evolved over the years. She believes that food brings people together and, for the past 20 years, has held the belief that food can truly be your medicine.
With three very different perspectives on the panel, we’re expecting some serious discussions when it comes to deciding this year’s winners!
Ready to enter?
Fancy putting your baking skills to the test? You’ll need to register online in advance to enter the competition. Once registered, bring your bake to apple day at the beginning of the event. You’ll be asked to provide details of your entry, including any relevant allergen information, before the judging gets underway.
Once the judging is complete, the competition entries will be sliced up and available to buy for £3 per slice. So even if you’re not entering a bake yourself, you can still get involved by sampling some of the delicious creations.
Best of all, every penny raised from the sale of the slices goes back to Fulham Palace Trust, the independent charity that cares for Fulham Palace and its gardens.
So, dust off your favourite recipe, get baking and register online to take part. Who knows, you could be crowned this year’s star baker!