The Great Brussels Bake-Off

Following last year’s successful inaugural baking fest, the British Chamber of Commerce’s young networking wing, Brussels New Generation, launches the 2014 Great Brussels Bake-Off on September 22. The launch event will assign one of four categories to each team and provide all the technical information. Teams then have a month to come up with a winning entry that will provide 20 portions at a single bake-off event on October 27.

If last year was a brutal three-round baking marathon with teams retiring their whisks after the Christmas final, this year promises to be a more genteel operation, as the British Chamber’s Uzma Lodhi explains. “We took on board the comments last year and have simplified the process by having just the two events.” She is thrilled by the enthusiasm for the bake-off’s return. “As a networking event, it cuts across all sectors, as there is a basic need for and enjoyment of food.”

The categories are still being honed, but they are likely to be cakes, European goodies, pies and Belgian specialities. Teams of up to four people can register here up to two days before the event.

A new line-up of expert judges includes local Michelin-starred chefs, who will be tasting, digesting and decision-making. Prizes will be plentiful and both evenings are open to non-competitors for a fee. Needless to say, The Bulletin is pitching in with a team and is tightening its apron strings for the starting line on Monday.

Registration costs €65, and funds raised go towards YouthStart, a charity under the patronage of Queen Mathilde of Belgium.