Apprentices serve up winning entry at Great British Bake Off event

Our star bakers were tasked with a technical challenge and a showstopper bake – similar to what viewers see on the real show.

And the judges were blown away by their mouthwatering macarons and an eye-catching Tyne and Wear Metro themed sponge cake.

Their cake was cut into the shape of a Metro train and decorated with fondant icing featuring the system’s original yellow and white colour scheme.

Now in its sixth year, the event formed part of National Apprenticeship Week.

Sophie, 21, of York, is a marketing apprentice, while Alex, 21, of Gateshead, is training with the Nexus transport planning team.

They had just two and half hours to bake their cake as well as make seven raspberry macarons with a vanilla fondant centre.

Sophie said: “It’s amazing that we won the competition. I’m so pleased. We were up against teams of apprentices from across Britian. It was super competitive but also lots of fun. It was a great experience to be able to take part in the event.

“We’re even more relieved to have won after a few things went wrong with our bakes under the time pressure and we had to rescue them.

“The instructions for the technical challenge were purposefully minimal, meaning that we weren’t told timings for making the sugar syrup. We were focusing on making our sponges, thinking it would take a while for the syrup on the stove to form. We were wrong – it became treacle. The army chefs were kind enough to give us some more ingredients and we started again. It was a moment for us to showcase resilience and not give up in the heat of the kitchen.”

Alex said: “The event was fun and a great way to promote apprenticeships through baking.

“We found the showstopper to be easier than the technical bake which took us a few attempts, but we were happy with the results of both bakes.

“I’m proud of our win and trophy as well after the effort we put into the event.”

Rachel Redshaw, People and Culture Director at Nexus, said: “We’re delighted that Sophie and Alex have represented Nexus at this national event, and that they have managed to win the top prize.

“What an amazing effort and what a great way for us to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week.

“Events like this are vital for apprentices to learn more about teamwork and time management, and to develop their confidence, which they can then bring back into the workplace.

“Nexus is firmly committed to apprentice recruitment as we look to develop our workforce for the future.”

The event, which was held in Grantham in Lincolnshire, was the largest ever apprentice bake-off to date.

It was organised by the Apprenticeship Ambassador Network and the British Army.

Companies from all four corners of the United Kingdon entered the competition.

It was just one part of a week-long programme of events to celebrate apprenticeships and demonstrate the benefits they offer individuals and businesses of all sizes.

Metro operator Nexus is currently in the process recruiting for ten new apprentice roles.

Information on how to apply can be found at www.nexus.org.uk/apprenticeships