Star bakers celebrated at sixth and final Brussels charity bake off

If Brussels’ amateur bakers went back to basics for the sixth edition of the charity bake off at ING Marnix on Monday evening, there was no diluting of culinary talent on display.

A total of 13 teams competed in the baking battle, organised by the British Chamber’s young professional network Brussels New Generation (BNG). The event boosted the coffers of the Community Help Service’s 24-hour English-speaking helpline. CHS chairman Geoff Brown thanked the gathering for their support, reminding them that the volunteer-run helpline was there to support anyone having mental problems.

A professional crew of international pastry chefs lined up to judge: Emmanuel Rey, chef patissier at The Hotel; Cyrill Moulin, second patissier at Stirwen; chocolatiers Toshiyuki Suzuki and Yasushi Sasaki from Yasushi Sasaki chocolatier. After careful tasting, digestion and cogitation, they announced the following winners:

Individual treats: 1st ISF Ideas, 2nd #BakeNews
Sponge-based classics: 1st Pastel Party Crew, 2nd Back to the FHuture 2
Pies & cheesecakes: 1st White & Cakes, 2nd EPPAnettone
Overall winner: White & Cakes

Champion EU law firm White & Case LLP is no stranger to whipping up a baking storm, having previously walked away with the top title. The 2018 team, under captain Nadia Flecha Guazo, presented a stunning quartet of lemon cream pastry and glossy chocolate-topped choux bun creations. The crisp bake, symmetrical whipped cream and delicate flavouring wowed the judges and tasters.

Francesco Loparco of BNG presented winners with prizes donated by, among others, Le Creuset, Brussels Events, Callebaut, Sweet n’ Fairy, Hotel Amigo - Bocconi, Martin’s Hotels, Plaza Hotel.

She announced that this was probably the final bake off, but that the BNG would be announcing a replacement event.