DreamLyrics™ Play-by-Post Forums Modern/Historical DUC: Durham University Campus DUC: Tuesday - Bake Off morning and evening Fun Disco

Everyone eventually emerges, grabs breakfast at the cafeteria and heads for the Bake Off competition which has been set up by Hilary and the two other organisers, Tom & Becky. They are waiting in the Domestic Science rooms for you to arrive. There is a big room with four cooking sections: work bench with small sink, various equipment, oven and a shel with ingredients. The larger part of the room has tiered seating so people could watch demonstrations.

Each of the four cooking stations has the name of one of the four universities on the front of the workbench. Reading left to right, it says Teeside, York. Durham, Newcastle. So there is a team from each. Each of the contestants are asked togather before their bench.

Teeside's team consists of Carla, Wendy and Natalie
Your team is Ian, Emma and Miranda.
Durham's team is Russel, Kath and Kayla.
Newcastle's team is Sarah, Tony and Ashley

Quite a few of the supporters and competitors have come along to watch and you recognise a number of them particularly Gordon & Linda who look much happier. You are pleased to see Mr Harding and Miss Beech, Ross & Beech, Janine & Penny are attending, presumably to support the York team.

Tom takes control explaining the set up whilst Hilary and Becky demonstrate the equipent, ingredients etc as he refers to them.

"Welcome all. Good to see you all. This is meant to be a bit of fun, so don't get two hung up on trying to achieve Michelin status." He chuckles. "Hopefully though by the end we will have some freshly baked treats to sample along with our tea and coffee at the end. This competition is in three rounds. All ingredients are provided and you can utilise any of the equipment on your benches. The first round challenge will be to bake a cake, any flavour, any decoration. Second round is a technical challenge which will be announced at the start of that round. And the Third round will be to make any kind of dessert. We will allow the contestants a few minutes to decide who will compete in each of the rounds. And I will be talking to each of the contestants about their plans as they cook. Applause is not only encouraged but mandated. You will have 45 minutes for the first round, 25 minutes for the second and an hour for the final round. Any questions?"

Ian

"Alright ladies. Who goes first? First round is a cake. Any suggestions?"

Miranda smiles at Emma & Ian.

"I don't mind taking the cake round if no-one else wants it. Probably my strength out of the three."

Emma

She nods. "That's fine with me. Ian, do you want technical or desserts?" Both had some fun opportunities to go with them. It would be fun to see what everyone came up with.

Miranda starts thinking hard about what she can do in the time. Getting a plan together in her head.

Levon

"Speed baking. This should be interesting. I wonder what they're gonna bake."

{Skye}

"More importantly - do we get to eat it if it is good?" She nudged Levon as they watched.

Emma

She grinned at her teammates, "Even if it is not good you need to cheer like it is the best thing you have ever eaten."

Ian

Ian laughs then turns to Emma. "I was thinking a Creme Bruele for dessert. Not sure what they'd require for a Technical competition. Except it might be best if you do that since I muddle my way through most recipes."

Emma

"Technical it is then!" Emma wondered what the technical part of the competition might be.

The teams have all decided who is doing what and the two competitors for rounds 2 and 3 are directed to some benches set to the side of the cooking area. Those competing in round 1 move to stand by their designated bench.

Miranda looks around to see who is in her round. To her right she recognises Natalie, one of the competitors from Teeside. Looking left, she doesn't recognise the girl there and then at the end is Sarah who she gives a little wave, receiving one in return. Turning towards her team and then to her York supporters, she gives a little closed fist victory sign, though she doesn't look as confident as her signal suggests.

In the audience a hush descends as Tom steps forward. Unsurprisingly the largest section of the audience is Durham's. Not only are they the home team but they also have a mascot on display. It is a large light brown cow with a name tag 'Duncan' hanging around its neck.

"Good luck contestants. You have 45 minutes. Let's bake!"

He clicks the stopwatch he is holding.

Firstly Miranda turns on the oven, then, she adds starts to reach for a number of ingredients. Weighing and adding butter and sugan to her mixing bowl. Whilst the machine slowly churns, she cracks two eggs into a cup and then weighs out some flour. She uis quite focused and does look as if she has done this before.

The other three girls also look organised.

Miranda adds the eggs letting them mix in and then adds the flour a little at a time. Still with the machine on a low setting, she takes two oranges, juicing them and adding athat to the mix, also grating in some zest. Greasing and flouring two small baking tins, she adds have of her mixture to each. Checking the oven which isn't quite there, she gets out a cutting board and sets out a sharp knife and the last two oranges. She also gets out another bowl and a large carton of cream.

Then in goes her cake, and she checks to make sure the oven door is closed properly. Her attention then turns back to her oranges ans she starts to cut small cresent sections carefully.

Levon
"Just a nibble for me later. I'm still scheduled to compete,' he said as he casually stroked Skye's silky hair.