THE Great British Bake Off has once again burst onto our screens for its sixth series and the public are going crazy for it. 

Hosted by the lovely Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins it’s the show that makes baking sexy and will no doubt have everyone running into their kitchens to throw flour on the worktops and whip up some scrumptious soufflés. 

Celebrity chef Paul Hollywood and everyone’s favourite baker Mary Berry are the perfect judges although I’m slightly disappointed there aren’t any Scottish bakers in the competition this year as we all love to get behind and support our own. I know that better than anyone!

Glasgow Times:

I personally love to cook and I’d say I’m not bad at it most of the time but baking is a whole different ball game. 

One of the best bakers I ever had the pleasure to work with was former MasterChef winner and author Sue Lawrence. 

I used to love it when she would guest on STV’s The Hour as everything she baked was just such a treat and to watch her at work was nothing short of a delight. 

I did, of course, get to taste everything baked at the end which was clearly the best bit of my entire day!

I remember on one particular show she made the most divine lemon drizzle cake and when I attempted it at home it came out of the oven stuck to the cake tin around the edges and raw in the middle. 

Not quite up to the GBBO standards to say the least!

I’m always in awe of people who can bake as it’s a real art form.

One of my dear friends Derek Leitch is possibly the most talented baker I know and I’ve had to bar myself from looking at his Facebook page because I’m simply salivating at the mere sight of his beautiful buns.

I don’t want to run the risk of licking my phone screen in public on a particularly hungry Friday afternoon.

As I said it is a shame there aren’t any Scottish contestants competing in the show this year as surely Scotland must have one of the best larders in the world when it comes to produce for baking? 

I know this of course because of my wonderful association with Scottish Bakers. 

I’ve had the privilege to host their annual Glasgow Dance many times and I’ve even helped launch the search for the Scottish Baker of the Year a few times which, as you can imagine, was a dream come true for a larger lady such as myself.

I’ve even been known to enjoy a cheeky wee yum yum or two on a casual Wednesday morning.

2016 though is a very special year for Scottish Bakers as the organisation is celebrating its 125th anniversary and they are celebrating in style. 

Hosted by Carol Smillie, the event will look back over the last 125 years of baking in Scotland starting in 1891 when Scottish Bakers was established. 

Since then it has represented and promoted the interests of the bakery trade in Scotland and has provided a valuable source of advice, information, assistance and skills development for bakers throughout the country. 

There will be entertainment on the night from the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, legendary singer Donnie Munro and a few wee numbers from yours truly too. 

Chief Executive Alan Clarke and President Craig McPhee have promised a night to remember in the beautiful Sheraton Grand Hotel in Edinburgh. 

I can’t wait to celebrate with you all and here’s to another fabulous 125 years to come. 

For more information on Scottish Bakers, log onto www.scottish
bakers.org

WELL, this weekend brings to a close to this year’s Edinburgh Festival

It’s been another incredible month and I can’t thank everyone enough for buying a ticket to see my show and for all of your support. 

Myself and my writing partner Bruce Devlin have been blown away by the reviews and are ecstatic that the show sold out its entire run after the previews. 

Thankyou to Gemma, Jerry, Kieran and everyone else at The Stand for all of your help and support this year, I love working with you guys and I love my venue in St Andrew Square – or my gazebo in the back garden of Harvey Nichols, as we’ve affectionately re named it. 

Congratulations to all the performers and can’t wait to see you all again next year for another full on month at the Fringe.