A WIGTON waitress impressed judges at the first Cake Off contest during the recent Taste of Wigton event.
Chloe Lowes made a chocolate orange checkerboard cake which wowed the panel, including David Ferriby and the Fell Foodie, real name Harrison Ward, during the Taste of Cumbria event.
READ MORE: Taste of Wigton event set to take place
Discussing why she decided to enter the Cake Off, Chloe said: “I’ve always loved to bake and have done so since I was around 11.
"I’ve baked for friends and family birthdays and because I’m from Wigton so thought I’d enter not really for a laugh but just for a bit of fun. I didn’t think I stood a chance of winning!”
When asked if the checkerboard cake is something she sees as a signature bake, Chloe answered: “To be honest, I’ve only made a checkerboard cake once before for my friend’s birthday, so this was only the second time I’ve made one.”
Chloe continued by sharing how she felt with the judges’ reactions. She shared: “It was a shock because I didn’t expect to win at all! I didn’t know who else entered or what other cakes were on offer, but they were really nice.
"The Fell Foodie was lovely and seemed interested in me. He asked if I was local and if I baked for fun.”
Although being named the contest’s first ever winner, Chloe doesn’t expect to appear on a certain television show. She said: “I don’t think I’d ever do Bake Off. I did apply for it back in 2015 but I was too young, I had just missed the cut off point!
“I don’t think I would apply though; the show is so advanced now that the people who go in are at such an advanced level so I think I wouldn’t be amongst them.
“Winning the contest made me think ‘oh wow, I can actually bake’. I always doubt myself and think that my friends and family have to say that my cakes are nice.
"I’ve also started to bake for my work in Keswick, things like brownies, and I do get positive feedback, but I never believe it!”
READ MORE: Taste Cumbria launches Cake Off contest at Taste of Wigton
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