Isn't it weird to think that it's 12 whole years since we as a nation first became obsessed with The Great British Bake Off? Budding bakers will no doubt be familiar with the genius of The Big Bakes, set up five years ago as a real life Bake Off tent to test your skills under pressure and deliver a signature bake while the clock is ticking. Well now it's expanded east with the launch of its third venue, The Big London Bake East, in Haggerston. We were among the first to try out the new space and MAN is it fun.
Under the arches directly opposite Haggerston station, step through the door hidden behind a vintage fridge into a cake-inspired bar serving a host of delicious cocktails inspired by bakes, like the Apple Pie, BakewellTini and Lemon Meringue Pie. The main baking tent is home to 12 fully equipped baking stations, including the best equipment from AEG and Kenwood, with all the ingredients provided to create a masterpiece bake within 90 minutes.
With a recipe that changes every month, we tackled a three layer ombré sponge cake with ombré icing (total walk in the park...), carefully selecting our sponge and icing flavours, colouring and decoration to fit with the brief and wow our judge (in case you were wondering, raspberry sponge with rose buttercream...). The tension in the tent was palpable, with a race against the clock to get the sponge in the oven in time for it to cool properly before icing and a watchful eye to be kept on the icing at all times to ensure it was't overmixed. TALK ABOUT PRESSURE. Obviously not having been on the actual Bake Off myself I can't quite compare the experience, but I would hazard a guess as to it being almost identical. Either way, it's a whole lot of fun and will definitely bring out your competitive side. The best part is you get to take your bake home to enjoy at the end of the night, or tuck into a slice with one of those aforementioned cocktails at the bar.
With sessions available Thursday and Friday afternoon/evening and at several times throughout the weekend from £42.90, book online at www.thebiglondonbake.com.
