Heat is on for this year鈥檚 BGF Bake-Off
The role of cake show judge is tougher than it sounds, iconic Sydney drag queen 鈥� and veteran Bake-Off judge 鈥� Claire de Lune insisted to Sydney Star Observer.
鈥淚t is actually quite a hard task for us judges. We do take the job very seriously, because people put their heart and soul into what they鈥檙e cooking,鈥� the French-born diva purred.
Run by the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation and with all proceeds directly benefiting people disadvantaged by HIV/AIDS, the Bake-Off has become one of the most enjoyable charity events in Sydney鈥檚 calendar.
This year鈥檚 event is on Sunday, June 6 at the Paddington Town Hall, with de Lune joined on the judging panel by chef Martin Boetz and TV presenter Peter Everett. De Lune was happy to divulge an insider鈥檚 tip for bakers looking to impress.
鈥淔or me, the most important element is the ingredients 鈥� time and time again, people get let down by the poor ingredients they use. If they use poor quality chocolate, or they use butter instead of marge, we can tell.鈥�
Now in her 13th year as a judge, has de Lune learned not to eat for a week before this annual orgy of cake-tasting?
鈥淥h no, I burn the calories very quickly, darling. You know what they say, French women don鈥檛 get fat.鈥�
There are seven categories in the Bake-Off, including the prestigious award for Best Cake, this year sponsored by Sydney Star Observer.
After the judging finishes at 2pm, the doors will open so guests can view the plethora of cakes on offer and take part in the event鈥檚 climax 鈥� the live auction at 4pm hosted by Trevor Ashley (in drag as Cleo Coupe), which sees entries auctioned off with a complimentary prize donated by community supporters.
It鈥檚 Ashley鈥檚 first go as auctioneer after many years as Mitzi Macintosh鈥檚 right-hand woman, and he admitted the pressure was on.
鈥淭he judges get to taste it, and I鈥檝e got to sell it! I鈥檓 putting out a call for all bidders. I want lots of people there on the day, because it鈥檇 be very embarrassing if I raised less than Mitzi did last year. She鈥檇 be laughing at me from London,鈥� he said.
info: If you鈥檇 like to enter the competition or want to volunteer for the day, please email [email protected]
…and bitter experience shows sleeping with the judges won’t win you first prize either…