Will Torrent to host the Cake Awards

Award winning pâtissier and chocolatier Will Torrent has been revealed as the host of the 2013 Cake Awards, to be held at the Park Lane Hotel on July 17.

Will is also a judge for The Cake Awards, working with other industry experts to decide the winners of awards across categories such as Bake at Home Cake, Supermarket Cake and Tea Room Cake.

He commented: “It’s great to be a part of the inaugural Cake Awards. It’s set to be a unique event that celebrates the very best British cakes. We tasted some delicious products during the judging process, so I’m looking forward to revealing the winners.”

Jane Milton, co-founder of the Cake Awards said: “It’s wonderful having Will as the host because he has such great knowledge of everything to do with cakes. From specialist patissier to large scale producer, he knows exactly what each baker and cake maker has put into their products. His passion for the industry made him our perfect choice. It’s going to be a great event and will really shine the spotlight on the very best cakes.”

The Cake Awards are the only awards dedicated to recognising excellence in cake and are an opportunity for organisations to showcase their best products to the most respected figures in the industry.

The line-up of of judges includes Wendy Miranda, Lakeland’s Customer Ambassador Bruce Langlands, Director of Food at Harrods; Eric Lanlard, master pâtissier; Loic Carbonnet, Head Pastry Chef at the Lanesborough; Allan Jenkins, Editor of Observer Food Monthly; and David Swann, Quality & Innovation chef at Marks & Spencer.

They put each product through a rigorous judging process to decide the shortlist and winners based on a criteria of excellent presentation, quality ingredients, recipe innovation, texture, taste and value.

The Cake Awards shortlist includes 20 of the UK’s best cakes from the finest tea room slice to the myriad varieties on the shelves of supermarkets and the cakes people can make at home.

Tesco’s ‘Free From’ Chocolate Cupcakes, Morrisons’ Heavenly Red Velvet Cake, Yauatcha’s Chocolate and Raspberry Rose and United Biscuits’, Jaffa Cakes – The Big One – have all made the shortlist and the winners will be revealed at the afternoon tea and awards ceremony on July 17.

The Cake Awards is a joint venture between food industry expert Jane Milton and event organisers UBM Awards & Partnerships.