A BAKING enthusiast from Humberston had her skills showcased on TV during The Great British Bake Off, An Extra Slice, last night.
Issy Burkitt, 20, of The Cloisters, is president of the Baking Society at Leeds University and she organised a group trip to see the show being filmed in London.
The programme is hosted by Jo Brand, pictured, and guests this week were chef Richard Corrigan, actress Faye Ripley and comedian Romesh Ranganathan.
The show is a spin-off from the popular main programme that airs on BBC1 on Wednesdays, offering a second helping by looking back at the episode – this week Barton baker Nancy Birtwhistle continued to impress judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood.
It was European cake week and audience members were invited to bring their own offerings for the panel to try – which is where Issy had her time to shine.
The final year geography student said: "Before we went to see the filming, a producer contacted me and said that one of the panel (Romesh) was vegan and asked if I could bring something that everyone could try.
"As a vegetarian I understand the concepts of making a vegan cake, even though I had never done it before but the panel really seemed to like it."
She created a circle cake with five different sections: one a Black Forest gateau to signal Germany, another was Turkish Delight, followed by lemon for an Italian or Mediterranean feel, another was hazelnut and salted caramel for France and the last was Victoria sponge for Britain.
She added: "They asked me about my cake and Romesh was really going on about it, saying it was the first cake he could actually try – they were really impressed."
Growing up, the former Franklin College pupil was heavily influenced by her nana, an avid baker who would often bring plenty of treats around to their house.
Issy said: "I started baking to pass the time and I really enjoyed it, then the Baking Society was founded last year and I met more people who had the same interests.
"Watching a show like The Great British Bake Off I've learned lots of new techniques and I'll bake at least once or twice a week now.
"I've never been very good at art or playing a musical instrument but with baking I get to be creative and if I follow a recipe precisely it usually comes out all right."
She has also made specific cakes for birthdays or functions and encourages friends to pick up their mixing bowl and give baking a go.
In a dream world she says that opening a bakery would be ideal but, by her own admission, perhaps a job in the geography sphere is more likely. In any case baking will always be a passion.
Proud mum Jane is impressed with the skills her daughter has been able to master and pleased she got to showcase her talents on such a stage.
