Edible St Basil’s is big winner for Market Drayton baker
It took more than 120 hours to create, but it was time well spent for one Shropshire baker who has won the top prize at a baking contest.
Jana Jacobson, from Buntingsdale, near Market Drayton, won the Billington’s Gingerbread baking contest in the adult category at the town's Ginger and Spice Festival 2017 at the weekend.
She spent many hours creating the components to make a gingerbread Saint Basil's Cathedral.
Jana said: "I like baking and I find it very relaxing. I care full-time for my granddaughter Kitty who has Angelman Syndrome.
"Angelman syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects the nervous system and causes severe physical and intellectual disability.
"I try and include Kitty in my baking as she enjoys it so we created this together.
"I got a cardboard copy of Saint Basil's Cathedral and then I created my own templates. It was a fun challenge and it was tricky but I was pleased with the final result.
"The Russian Splendour gingerbread house was inspired by my love of Russian architecture and also of baking which is my hobby.
"The whole thing is edible.
"It took more than 120 hours to bake, assemble and decorate and included homemade meringues which were used for the minarets on the top of the building. I am so happy to have won the competition.
"I now might take it to an auction and donate the money to a charity which is trying to find a cure for Angelman Syndrome."
Overall there were ten entries into the Billington’s Gingerbread baking contest and the other winners included Ella Yale with a decorated gingerbread man in the children's aged 10 and under category and Abbie Humphreys won the children's 11s and over category.
Winner of the adult category won a Billington’s Gingerbread trophy, plus hamper with port. The children won a trophy as well as a Hansel and Gretel book and an Image on Food gingerbread hamper.
The contest which took place at Festival Drayton was judged by Tim Hopcroft, artisan baker of Billington’s Gingerbread and director/co-founder of Image on Food and Sue Bower from Market Drayton Country Markets.
Tim Hopcroft, said: "We were really impressed by the entries in first Billington’s Gingerbread baking contest and in particular the magnificent ‘Russian Splendour’.
"Not only did it look spectacular but also tasted delicious.
"The children’s bakes were also very well done and we loved the creativity shown by the people of the town of Market Drayton."
