CELEBRITY TV baker Glenn Cosby officially launched the Big Devon Bake off last night at Powderham Castle, urging bakers to roll up their sleeves.
The event, held in a Great British Bake Off style marquee, will run from September 13 to 21, to raise funds for Hospiscare.
Devon-based Glenn, who took part in last year's Great British Bake Off, urged keen bakers to organise their own bake-off competition, tea party or coffee morning at home, work, school or in village or community halls.
So far more than 60 bake offs have been registered in a variety of locations including schools, hair salons, Brownie packs, Exeter University, Middlemoor police headquarters, RD&E, council offices, and the Express & Echo. There are also a number of events planned across East Devon for the East Devon Day Hospice Appeal.
Among the guests at the launch was Hospiscare volunteer Penny Mason who is on the Exeter fundraising committee.
Penny, from Cowley Bridge, Exeter, has been an avid watcher on the latest series of the Great British Bake Off because her 17-year-old granddaughter Martha Collison is one of the contestants.
"She is the show's youngest ever contestant," said Penny. Over 16,000 applied to be on the Great British Bake Off and she was one of only 12 to get through. She had her audition in January and couldn't tell anyone until July that she had got through. Her family knew, including me, so I had to be so careful not to tell anyone!
"She has had to sign a confidentiality agreement so it's a big secret how far she gets, but we are so proud and even if she doesn't get any further she will have made a name for herself.
"Martha lives in Berkshire and when she come to visit she often takes over in the kitchen and cooks a meal for us. It's lovely."
To register for the Hospiscare Bake Off and received a fundraising pack, call 01392 688020, email fundraising@hospiscare.co.uk or visit www.hospiscare.co.uk
