Look at those lovely looking apples!
As part of the 150th school birthday celebration, students have been representing their Houses in the PHSG House Bake Off! On Thursday 18th April, Year 9 and year 10 Houses competed in 'Dessert Week' for a place in the 'Bake Off' final next week.
The Great 'PHSG History' Bake-Off is not just any old House competition; it's a flavourful journey through time, exploring the recipes that have delighted taste buds of students of old and that were passed on through the student-led school magazines.
Two students were selected from each year group, for each House, and the winning house from each year will go through to our Bake Off final, next week.
For the selection process, House Captains invited students to bring in a 'signature bake' and students were selected to then represent their House and compete against their year group.
For the Year 9 and Year 10 bake off heat (or 'technical challenge'), the students had to follow a 1960s 'Summer Pudding' student recipe within a set time frame.
The 1960's recipes and methods have been extracted from our 1960's student magazines and will be used by the contestants to revive the classic recipes and showcase the timeless appeal of traditional baking.
This recipe was provided by ex student, Margaret Battass, who was in class 6LP in the 1960's.
The heat got off to a flying start, with each pair of bakers using their teamwork to organise equipment, measure ingredients and converting the imperial measurements into metric!
Apple selection became the topic of conversation, with some sticking to the traditional cooking apple, and others opting for a more modern twist by using a more sour Granny Smith and another team a sweet red apple.
Timing on the cooking was essential. Students had to make their own judgement on an interpretation of what is a 'just soft' apple? No-one wanted a soggy mess, but apples that were too hard would have an unpleasant texture!
Attention then turned to chocolate and presentation. Who knew there was so many ways to grate chocolate? Some grated, others crumbled and one team 'shaved'. All providing their own unique take on decorating their final portion to present to the judges.
All entries had to be presented at the gingham table before the clock ran out.
Our panel of judges, included Mr 'Hollydown' and Miss 'Prueghton', who judged the final entries based on taste, presentation, creativity, and the historical accuracy of the chosen recipe.
Miss Prueghton said:
I'd happily pay for many of these and be delighted if they were served to me as a dessert. This is by far the hardest heat that we have had to judge.
A huge thank you to Mrs Banks, who has been instrumental in organising and hosting this event! Thank you.
We are delighted to announce that Year 9 Kendall and Year 10 Kendall are the winners of this heat, and they join Y7 & Y8 Anthony, along with Year 11 Latimer and Sixth Form Temple in the final showstopper. Well Done Teams!
We look forward to our showstopper final which will take place on Wednesday 24th April.