And the winner is....

Joe  Rankmore has been crowned Champion of Champions at the Great Canton Bake Off, which took place at the Park View Cafe on Saturday, April 21.
Joe's Victoria Sponge was judged best in show by a panel of eminent experts.
 On the judging panel were Rob Khoo, who manages the Park View Cafe, Jon, a Park View Cafe service user, Sarah, from The Cakehouse, Becca, from Crafty Cakes and Derek 'The Weatherman' Brockway.
In all, there were six categories, with entries into all but one category.
Nobody felt up to the challenge of baking an item for the Freebake category in the Savoury section, but in the same section there were entries in the Corned Beef Pie/Pasty category and the Quiche Lorraine category. Well done. In the Sweet section there was plenty for the judges to get their teeth into, with entries in all three categories; Victoria Sponge, Bara Brith and the Freebake category.
It was interesting to note while many promised to take part, when push came to shove, all that talking the talk didn't materialise into baking the cake, which is a shame. Come on! Just do. Baking is fun. The worse thing that can happen is that you have a nice afternoon out and you get to eat cake!
 But to those who did step up to the plate, congratulations on your efforts - it was a competition based on quality rather than quantity.
So therefor, a big thank you must go to all the entrants from everyone at Park View for supporting the first Great Canton Bake Off, and to the judges, who gave up their precious free time to share with us their knowledge and enthusiasm for bringing the community together through baking. In that respect, The Great Canton Bake Off was a resounding success.
 Another positive note is that people are already asking when we plan to hold the next one! There has been one suggestion that we should hold a bake off devoted to bread. I like this idea. Also a Christmas Bake Off. What do you think? It would be good to hear the thoughts of the Cardiff baking community. Don't be shy, post a comment. We would love to know what you are thinking. We would also like to thank a number of local businesses which put up posters to help promote The Great Canton Bake Off, they are: Jalo and Stitch, Chapter Arts, Fair Do's, Canton Community Centre, Brutons, Gusto Emporio, La Nouba and Bant A La Cart. Thank you for your support. And last, but by no means least, a massive thank you to Andy Smith at SmithHolland, who designed all the art work for the Great Canton Bake Off.  Fantastic design, Andy. It gave the event a distinctive and eye-catching look.
Below are the results of our first Great Canton Bake Off.

THE WINNERS

CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS

Victoria Sponge baked by Joe Rankmore

BARA BRITH

baked by Stephen Johnson, Canton.

FREEBAKE (Sweet)

Lemon Crunch Cake baked by Llinos Huws, Victoria Park.

CORNED BEEF PASTY

baked by Stephen Johnson, Canton.

QUICHE LORRAINE

baked by Tracy Goode, Canton.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30278929@N08/sets/72157629868029995/