Carrick-on-Suir and Tipperary Town students to go whisk-to-whisk in Odlums All Ireland Bake-Off

Tipperary students are preparing to mix, whip, sprinkle and ice an array of novelty cakes on Friday (March 9) in a bid to become Ireland’s Best Student Baker.

Students from 14 secondary schools across Ireland are taking part in the third annual CEIST All Ireland Bake-Off, which is organised with the support of home-baking brand Odlums. The aim of the bake-off is to encourage a new generation of bakers, with students asked to design, plan and bake a novelty cake.

Hundreds of submissions were received from 110 schools nationwide and these have now been whittled down to the final 14 entries.

There are seven junior finalists, along with seven senior finalists which include Rachel Ryan from St. Anne’s Secondary School, Tipperary Town, and Niamh Doyle from Scoil Mhuire, Carrick-on-Suir.

Each student will create their cake in front of judges, including Catherine Leyden, at Ardscoil na Trionóide in Athy, Co. Kildare. The finalists will have three hours to bake and decorate their cakes.

For the past three years, Odlums have been a proud supporter of this initiative, witnessing first-hand the truly talented student bakers we have across the country.

Catherine Leyden, Odlums brand ambassador and a home baking expert, says: “It is always fantastic to see the high calibre of entries we receive every year from students around the country, and this year is no different. Baking is a life-long skill and to witness the creation of these incredible cakes really is something really special. I am delighted that Odlums and I can be part of this very special event, and I’m really looking forward to encouraging students to pick up the wooden spoon and mixing bowl for many years to come. I want to wish each of this year’s finalists the very best of luck.”

Odlums brand ambassador and a home baking expert Catherine Leyden.

The CEIST All Ireland Bake-Off has two categories - junior (1st - 3rd year) and senior (4th - 6th year). While students in the junior category have been asked to present a cake based on a theme they have chosen themselves, students in the senior category are required to design, bake and decorate a cake around the theme of ‘Wellbeing’.

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