JUDGING a school version of The Great British Bake Off was a piece of cake for TV competition winner Nancy Birtwhistle.
This year's champion visited Hessle High School to judge the academy's unique blend of The Great British Bake Off and MasterChef.
Hull-born Nancy, who now lives in Barton, was impressed with the finalists in the school's competition, dubbed Master Bake Off.
The 60-year-old grandmother told the GCSE pupils: "I'm delighted to have been invited to judge the final of the competition, the standard was very high and it was difficult to pick a winner among the final six.
"The cakes you presented both tasted and looked wonderful."
The final followed six weeks of competition in which the 14-year-olds were challenged by their teacher to tackle various recipes designed to develop their cookery skills.
Rounds devised by the academy's technology department included an egg challenge, a team challenge, a burger challenge and baking a batch of scones.
As the weeks progressed, the recipes tackled by the 20 students became more technical.
In the penultimate week, the year nine pupils competed in a pastry challenge before facing a Victoria Sponge challenge in the final.
Nancy told the year nine students about her experiences in The Great British Bake Off and what it takes to be a successful baker.
She also confessed to almost missing the first audition, exactly a year ago to the day, after she went to the wrong address.
Joined by executive headteacher Sarah Young on the judging panel, Nancy judged each cake on consistency and taste.
Darci Cooper won first prize in the Victoria Sponge challenge and was presented with a Great British Bake Off book, signed by Nancy, together with cooking and baking utensils.
Darci said: "I can't believe it because at the beginning of this round I was really struggling and the cake mix wasn't right but my cake won first prize in the end. I'm so pleased."
The judges then announced the overall winners of the six-week competition, with Lauren Hanson crowned Master Bake Off competition winner.
Lauren said: "I'm stunned, I had no idea that I would win."
She also received an autographed copy of the Great British Bake Off book, plus cooking and baking utensils.
The runners up were Beth Bristow in second place and Leah Brown in third.
Teacher Emma Shaw, who organised the competition, thanked students for demonstrating a real love for cooking.
She said: "For a year nine GCSE class, the students showed a high level of skill as well as an unwavering determination to do well and make the most of the opportunity presented to them.
"The competition has been a huge success and I'm so proud of all the students that took part.
"We aim to run the competition again next year."
