Competition: firmus launches Great Ulster Bake Off

Local natural gas supplier, firmus energy, has teamed up with Johnston Press across Northern Ireland, including The Ballymena & Antrim Times, to run a competition to crown the best local baker as the ‘firmus energy Great Ulster Bake Off’ champion 2013.

The lucky overall winner will receive £100 of Lakeland vouchers, the destination of choice for any home bakers’ needs. A special title of ‘Chef’s Favourite’ will also be awarded by guest judge, Paula McIntyre, and they will also receive £100 Lakeland vouchers.

While firmus energy may be known for fuelling the kitchens of baking superstars across Northern Ireland, the company wanted to recognise the home-baking talents that the controllable cooking fuel helps to power.

Angeline Sloan, sponsorship manager for firmus energy, said: “We know that there are many excellent local bakers who are cooking up a storm in the kitchen just for the love of it!

“They are inspired by shows such as the Great British Bake Off and the Great Irish Bake Off, whose winner, Stephen Chisholm, is a 22-year-old from Belfast. He and the rest of the contestants and presenters of the shows have helped to reinvigorate many people’s love of baking.

“There is nothing better than filling your home with the aromas of bread, cookies, cakes and buns as they bake. Baking is something that is a great activity for children and even better, the outcomes of the creativity can be enjoyed by all the family!

“So if you are famous in your family for your French pastries, celebrated for your signature soda farls or continually congratulated for your creamy chocolate cake - then we ‘knead’ you to share your tastiest recipes with us!”

Each local Johnston Press title will name a regional winner who will win Mary Berry’s Baking Bible and go forward to the Grand Final where their recipe will compete with the other regional winners across the Johnson Press network.

Guest judge, chef, Paula McIntyre, will select a ‘Chef’s Favourite’ recipe and readers will vote for the overall ‘People’s Choice’ award. Both winners will each receive £100 worth of Lakeland and the People’s Choice winner will be crowned ‘firmus energy Great Ulster Bake Off’ champion 2013. Full details of how to enter will be available in a dedicated feature in your local Johnston Press title.

Residents in the area who wish to find out more about connecting to natural gas should visit www.firmusenergy.co.uk or contact 08456 08 00 88.