BUDDING food technologists from schools across the region battled it out in a baking challenge laid down by Reaseheath College’s Food Department.

Ten finalists including Alex Camp, 13, from Eaton Bank Academy, Congleton, made it through to the Schools Great British Pie Bake Off, held in the Nantwich college’s specialist Food Centre.

The pupils, who had to bake a pie or pastry with a sporting theme, stunned the judging panel with the standard and originality of their products.

Alex, whose ‘Le Tour de Clanger’ pie was based on the classic Bedfordshire clanger - a rectangular pastry with one savoury and one sweet filling – gained particularly high marks for her tasty combination of flavours.

A keen home baker, Alex said: “I decided to make a pie which represented the Tour de France and used regional ingredients from Yorkshire and France. I really enjoyed the competition. It has made me think seriously about a career in the food industry.”

Overall winner was Harry Brown, 14, from Fallibroome Academy, Macclesfield, with his ‘Two Flavour Bike Pie’, an artistic impression of a bike which was also inspired by the Tour de France. His entry had coq au vin and apple pies for wheels, a frame made of bread and a road made from chocolate.

The judging panel of Keith Fisher, Butchery Development Manager for BPEX, the British Pig Executive, Cheshire WI judge Mary Hignett and David Thomson, Sales Executive for Bako, a baking products and ingredients supplier, were looking for originality, presentation and taste.

Keith Fisher said: “I was very impressed with the organisation and professionalism of the young people. There was so much passion and enthusiasm, it was a privilege to judge the entries. Reaseheath’s food department should be congratulated on running such an inspired and exciting competition.”