Great East Ayrshire Bake-Off goes down a treat

The afternoon event, which took place at Thorntoun Estate Care Home, invited residents and staff from care homes across East Ayrshire to enjoy afternoon tea, a glass of fizz (or ‘Nosecco’), musical entertainment and of course plenty of cake as judges decided on this year’s winning entries.

Representatives of each care home brought a cake or sweet treat to enter each of the three categories, which comprised of Showstopper/Big Bake, Cookies, and Carrot Cake.

As staff and residents enjoyed some singing and dancing (thanks to music from The Music Box), their baking efforts were marked on taste, texture and presentation by this year’s judges: Councillor Maureen McKay, East Ayrshire Council Commissioning Officer Charlie Allan, and Lorin and Marjorie from Kilmarnock’s SL33.

After much tasting and deliberation, the winners of this year’s Bake-Off were announced. Congratulations to the following care homes on scooping the top spot for each of the following categories!

Best Showstopper/Big Bake: Grange Care Home

Best Cookies: Thorntoun Estate Care Home

Bets Carrot Cake: Crossgate Care Home

Each winning care home was awarded with an East Ayrshire Bake-Off 2024 trophy and mini hamper filled with sweet treats and a selection of other goodies. All participants also received a chocolate bunny to take home.

It truly was a day to remember, with music, laughter, dancing and fun from beginning to end. Well done to everyone who took part in this year’s event, whether it was helping out with baking, assembling the trophies and prizes, setting the scene for the festivities or just being there to enjoy the day.

Arlene Bunton, Scottish Care Independent Sector Lead for East Ayrshire, spoke of the day’s success in bringing so many care home residents together:

“This is the second year we have held a Great East Ayrshire Bake-Off, which brings together old friends from across our 18 independently owned care homes to compete against each other and demonstrate their baking skill and techniques.

“The standard of bakes was incredible this year and I’ve never been so grateful to not be responsible for tasting all 42 entries and judging them against each other!

“A huge thanks goes to Thorntoun Estate for being exceptional hosts, especially Sarah Jayne who, as Activities Coordinator, went above and beyond in creating a special place for our event.”

Here’s to the Great East Ayrshire Bake-Off 2025!