Bake Off’s Marie falls foul of cake collapse

CAKASTROPHE: Contestant has had her share of culinary disasters

She may have been named star baker in the first round of the Great British Bake Off, but Perthshire contender Marie has had her share of culinary disasters.

Following a show that saw rival Dorret Conway reduced to tears as her Black Forest gateau showstopper cake collapsed into a soggy mess, the 66-year-old revealed that she once suffered a similar catastrophe.

A christening cake baked by Marie, who lives in Auchterarder, fell apart while being transported to the party.

She told The Courier: “I once made a christening cake for my granddaughter and I was so proud of it. But when I took it to the venue, the cake collapsed when we went over the speed bumps.

“I had to tell people what it looked like before the disaster. It tasted good though.”

Marie said appearing on the BBC One show was “one of the biggest highlights of my life”, though she declined to reveal any of her other bakes on the show.

She said: “I was absolutely gobsmacked (to be accepted) and it turned out to be one of the biggest highlights of my life. Some grannies want to bungee jump, but this was my all-time high. gh.

“It was all a great experience and one of the most enjoyable things I haveve done in my life.

“I am a bit long in the tooth now to worry about how I am seen onn TV – everyone will just have to take me for what I am. ”

Unlike contestant Flora Shedden, edden, who also comes from Perthshire,, Marie was a relative latecomer to the world of baking.

She said: “I didn’t start baking until I was 36 and my style is Scottish in flukes influenced. I love baking birthday cakes for my children and grandchildren but I like them to look fantastic.

“I have two older sisters and theyhey are very good bakers – we all try andd outdo each other at Christmas but onlynly in a friendly and fun way.

“I never thought I would bee good enough to be on the show, but my daughter applied for me, and I was really pleased that she did. It was a great challenge and I was delighted ted to be accepted.”