Red Hot World Buffet Cake Off (Manchester)

Red Hot World Buffet invited me to attend their brand new, artisan cake launch, after reading my review on the Manchester restaurant and asking me to give the branch "a second chance" - well if it's cakes, I can't say no!

After waiting for the masterclass to be set up and politely being offered tea and coffee, we were directed to the exotic and striking cake station and Darshan Choudhari - the head pastry chef himself. He introduced us to the cake launch and began his magic as he gloved his hands, lifted his utensils and threw together simple ingredients producing an extraordinary cheese cake.

It was then time for us to get decorating at the station with fluffy clouds of chocolate/strawberry mousses,endless colourful fruits - from passion fruit, blackberries and cranberries to mango, strawberries and kiwi - also dreamy chocolate ganache, chocolate shards and splooshes of brilliant, white whipped cream. I couldn't wait to get my hands in and messy!

I allowed my creativity to take over and did not know where exactly I was going with the decorating, but in the end (when head chef announced, only five minutes remaining) I decided to step back and admire my masterpiece, cleaning/touching up here and there.

So I went for the vanilla, genoise, sponge cake that I sandwiched with whipped cream and gorgeously red strawberry purée - going for the traditional Victoria Sponge theme. For the topping, beautifully aligned strawberries, and blackberries embedded in piped cream and a dripping of chocolate ganache. The chocolate shards were calling me to complete the cake as they sat happily filling the centre . . . what do you think?

It was judging time and as I looked over at the other well decorated cakes, I knew there was competition. So which cake do you think won?

Me of course! That's right, I went home with my work of art, an extra cake from the Red Hot World Buffet range (of my choice), a complimentary meal for two, a certificate and gold medal - Jessica Ennis watch out, here I come!

I have been informed by Red Hot World Buffet that the judges' decision was completely impartial. They were  unaware I was to review the event, and so were not influenced by this.

It was a great event with great talent and a great cheese cake by head chef. I cannot wait to try the other cakes - if they taste and look anything like the cheesecake, I would recommend you have a slice too.

Red Hot World Buffet Artisan Cake Range

View all photographs taken during the event.

The only thing that wasn't so great was the turn out. Besides me and my friend there were only two other families. Perhaps 9.30am was too early for a Cake Off during the summer holidays. However, the other branches across the UK witnessed a real Cake Off with a greater audience. See images