Ten Year Old Student Takes Out 2016 Big Bethanie Bake Off Championship

After a busy day of cooking, fun and games, Bethanie, one of Western Australia’s most well known not-for-profit aged care and retirement living providers, is excited to announce the winners of the 2016 Big Bethanie Bake Off. 

The Grand Finale was held on Wednesday 9 November live from Burswood Park at the Seniors Recreational Council of WA’s Have a Go Day, a LiveLighter event.
Continuing the aim of closing the intergenerational gap between our seniors and youngsters, the competition saw four finalists from each of the seniors and under 18s categories cook their favourite family recipe, accompanied by a story reflecting the their family’s life, culture and history.

The event was hosted by West Australian Chef and MC, Don Hancey and accompanied by a panel of judges Margaret Johsnon, Food Contributor for The West Australian, Patrick O’Brien, Executive Director Hospitality and Trades West Coast Institute and Chris How, Bethanie CEO.

“We said coming into this year’s competition that the winners were going to be very hard to select, but what we didn’t know was just how hard. The skill, enthusiasm and commitment each finalist displayed was unlike anything we have seen before,” said Chris.

Winners of the 2016 Big Bethanie Bake Off:

• Best Senior Award – Marjorie Ugle, Bethanie Maali Social Centre – Kangaroo Patties
• Best Kid Award – Mikayla Richardson, Orana Catholic Primary School – Melanzane Con Salsa
• 2016 Big Bethanie Bake Off Champion – Joshua Wenz, Whitfords Catholic Primary School – Oma’s Pancakes 2 Ways 

“After taking out a fair number of spot prizes from the crowd in the lead up to his heat, this year’s Big Bethanie Bake Off Champion, Joshua Wenz from Whitfords Catholic Primary School blew the judging panel away with his Oma’s pancakes done two ways,” Chris continued.

To add to the excitement, West Coast Eagles player, Lewis Jetter came down to show support to his grandmother, Melba Wallam, a finalist in the third heat who prepared damper using traditional bush ingredients. Colin Barnett also made an appearance to see where the delicious smells were coming from and was pleased to find young WA kids competing amongst our seniors.

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