Rising to the challenge: Spark Bake Off 2023

Spark’s superstar bakers once again rose to the challenge for the 2023 edition of our regular Bake Off contest. Across the final few months of the year, almost half the agency contested a series of bake-offs. We were raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support along the way; our £300 donation will fund a Macmillan Grant to help somebody struggling with the extra costs living with cancer can bring.

We had a great variety of savoury dishes this year, from Dom’s mushroom and walnut samosas to Tom’s wooden spoon-winning sausage rolls. There were also some really well-timed entries, including Sophie’s toasted marshmallow cakes to mark bonfire night, and Hannah’s super-festive Christmas cake.

Hannah and Mollie made it to the final, receiving ‘Spark orange’-coloured aprons for their efforts. It was a very close call, with the agency judging their entries for flavour, presentation, texture, and creativity. After some furious vote counting, Mollie emerged victorious, with her imaginative savoury cheesecake enabling her to dethrone last year’s champion. She was rewarded with some baking goodies for her efforts, and took the plaudits from the enthusiastic crowd.

Over the last few months, it has been great to all come together in the office over cake, with the team showcasing their creativity and raising money for a good cause. I’m sure I can’t be the only one inspired to try some new recipes out over the Christmas break – and plans are already afoot for how to emerge victorious when we don our aprons once again.