Martin Hargreaves and Shalini Sriskandarasa have been named overall winners at this year’s National Cupcake Championships.

Hargreaves, a pastry chef from Greenhalgh’s Craft Bakery was named National Cupcake Champion in the professional section, with his Lemon & Lime Meringue cupcake. His creation was also won the the Classic Cupcake of the Year category.

Sriskandarasa claimed the National Cupcake Champion title in the home bakers competition with her Chocolate Box cupcake, containing seven variations of chocolate, which was also triumphant in the Classic Cupcake of the Year category.

The fifth National Cupcake Championships, organised by British Baker, were held at Cake International, Birmingham, with awards presented by Mary Berry. This year saw the launch of the first consumer competition alongside the long-running professional contest.

Commenting on the achievement, Hargreaves said: “I’m absolutely gobsmacked. I can’t believe it; I didn’t expect this at all. I’m really surprised, but delighted and thrilled at the same time. This was my first time entering any cupcake competition at all.”

Sriskandarasa commented: “I absolutely can’t believe I’ve won. Yesterday I was running around Birmingham trying to find some chocolate to finish my cupcake, and I’m just so happy that everything worked out. I still can’t believe it. The idea for the cupcake came after I had made a similar cake for my boyfriend’s office. Mary Berry is my baking idol, and receiving the awards from her was unbelievable.”

Georgi Gyton, deputy editor of British Baker, said: “The standard of the entries in both competitions was outstanding, making the judges’ job both a tough and enjoyable one.

“Both overall winners used classic flavours to great effect, combining great design and exceptional flavours.”

National Cupcake Week is sponsored by Tesco, Secret Ingredients and BFP Wholesale.


National Cupcake Championships Winners 2013

Professional competition:

National Cupcake Champion - professional:
Martin Hargreaves from Greenhalgh’s Craft Bakery, Lemon & Lime Meringue Cupcake

Free-From Cupcake of the Year:
Winner
Hazel Carmichael from Cinnamon Square, Pecan Passion Cupcake

Highly Commended
Melanie Nicolau from Coco Meli Bakery, Gluten-Free Peanut Chocolate and Jelly Cupcake

Classic Cupcake of the Year:
Winner
Martin Hargreaves from Greenhalgh’s Craft Bakery, Lemon & Lime Meringue Cupcake

Highly Commended
Kerris Harrop from Cupcakes à la Carte, Lemon Cupcake

Best Cupcake Made with Alcohol
Winner
Paula Archard from Lilac Sensation, Summertime Pimms Cupcake

Highly Commended
Sophie Rees from The Sweet Bliss Kitchen Bakery, Dark ’n’ Stormy Cupcake

Themed Cupcake of the Year:
Winner
Helen Bollen from Mrs B’s Cakes, Summer Sundae Cupcake

Highly Commended
Kerris Harrop from Cupcakes à la Carte, Valentine Cupcake

 

Home Baking competition:

National Cupcake Champion - home baking
Shalini Sriskandarasa, The Chocolate Box Cupcake

Free-From Cupcake of the Year
Winner
Judit Horvath, Gluten-Free Chestnut Cupcake

Highly Commended
Deborah Manger, Fat-Free Gingerbread Cupcake

Classic Cupcake of the Year
Winner
Shalini Sriskandarasa, The Chocolate Box Cupcake

Highly Commended
Katherine Lee, Raspberry Cheese Cupcake

Best Cupcake Made With Alcohol
Winner
Lauren Jenkinson, Mulled Wine Cupcake

Highly Commended
Michelle King, Piña Colada Cupcake

Themed Cupcake of the Year
Winner
Fiona Fraser, Love Me Do Cupcake

Highly Commended
Helen Durnford, Remembrance Poppies

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