Kids Win Prizes at Cakeflair Baking Challenge
Teenagers who participated at the maiden edition of Cakeflair National Kiddies Baking Challenge were at the weekend rewarded with different prizes for their excellent performance.
The challenge organised by Cakeflair, a tradename of Bourffe Bakeries Limited, was initiated by the confectionery company during the lockdown and sit-at-home period for children within ages six and 16.
The challenge used the new cakemix products, which is a pivot from their summer cake training for kids who used to attend hands-on classes.
Due to the lockdown, the company considered it imperative to create an easy-to-use premix for home use - The Chef Juls Cakemixes, which come in five variants of chocolate, red velvet, vanilla, allergen-free and nutrisap.
They also have a locally produced Chef Juls Pancake mix,
The challenge was intended to test the kids’ creativity, boost their confidence while spicing up their lockdown experience through baking on their own at home and posting the videos.
Of the 25 children that applied for the competition, 10 made it to the final where top three winners finally emerged.
The top three contestants who were unveiled during the prize presentation ceremony at the weekend included the Star Prize winner, Somto Omeje (Deep Freezer); 2nd Prize winner, Pharez Obioha (Cake mixer) and 3rd place, Zimi Ziora Mobi-Eluigwe (Cake mixer).
Also the remaining seven best contestants were rewarded with consolation prizes including cake decoration tools and copies of children’s books.
Speaking at the occasion, the Founder of Cakeflair, Juliet Aigbe (Chef Juls), said “So the whole idea of the challenge is to take our minds away from this COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on the world”.
According to her, “For instance, people are locked down at home and they don’t know what to do. So we just said okay, let’s do something that would spice up staying at home.
“So you bake at home, you post your video. You know how digital has become a new normal now. So when you do your video, you post it, be creative. “Even the music the kids used to present their baking was so inspiring and really motivating. We had a great time just watching the entries. It was keenly contested for.”
Aigbe described the programme as a success, explaining that “one of the kids’ total engagement was almost 10,000 views, with engagements, DMs, likes and followers; even our page soared by over one 1000 followers just because of the challenge. “So it was such a very powerful event that really helped the kids believe that they could actually do this and they can win.
“I’m super excited about this and we hope to get more sponsors. We are looking for one who will say anybody that wins will get free ticket and anall-expense-paid-trip to DisneyLand.”
She added that the challenge did not only impact on the children but also her, as she learnt new recipes from their presentations
“I learnt even a few recipes from their recipes as well. So I’m so excited and really happy. I will do this again next year by the grace of God,” Aigbe enthused.
She thanked the donor organisations including
Lagos Bake Tools, that donated cake mixers; Kogsy Sugarcraft Centre, for donating decorating tools; and Clever Clogs Book as well as Akada Festival for donating children’s books to them.
On how the cake industry was faring in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, Aigbe, declared that patronage for the industry experienced heavy drop.
“In short, we have people call us to say, ‘you know what, we have canceled the wedding because there is lockdown and we can’t continue with the wedding’. “So wedding cake really suffered, but we have pivoted. We didn’t just sit down there, mourning and waiting for things to change. We never let the crisis go to waste,” she said.