PICTURES: Ukrainian refugee wins 'Scotland on a cake' challenge
A Ukrainian teenager – who moved to Scotland only nine months ago – has won a contest to create ‘Scotland on a cake’.
Tetiana Potapko's design included Nessie in a tam-o-shanter with detailed hand painted heather around the sides.
The 19-year-old moved to the Highlands from war-torn Ukraine with her family, but her father had to remain there.
“We moved to Aviemore about nine months ago but when I started at UHI, I moved to student accommodation in Inverness," she said.
"My mother and sisters are still in Aviemore but they’re coming to see me this weekend.”
She is studying level 4 professional cookery which focuses more on cooking than baking but she wasn’t fazed by this competition.
“In Ukraine I worked as a confectioner for my parents' business which sold desserts online,” she said.
She said this was her opportunity to create a cake from scratch using her own style.
She originally was going to decorate her cake using whisky as her inspiration but couldn’t do anything alcohol-related so opted for Nessie which she planned a few days ago.
She says her dream is to “create happiness with the cakes I make. Cakes are beautiful and are a huge field for art.”
She added: “I would like to say as well that I really like the people of Scotland. Everyone has been so good and nice and I have been getting support from everyone. It’s so lovely”.
Star baker and ambassador of the Scottish Bakers, Mich Turner, said: “Tetiana’s interpretation of the brief with exceptional hand-finishing skills impressed the judges. Her attention to detail, technical ability and quality of finish set her apart in a close run contest.”
The event at UHI Inverness invited students to help kick off Scottish Bakers' Baker of the Year competition.
Seven students took up the challenge and had 45 minutes to decorate the cakes they had made previously to create their best interpretation for the challenge.
Also there were Ian McGhee, president of Scottish Bakers and director of McGhee's Bakery, Michelle Phillips who is vice-president of Scottish Bakers and director of Mimi’s Bakehouse, and star baker and ambassador of the Scottish Bakers Mich Turner.
Mr Murphy said: “We were delighted to win in 2022 and to bring the trophy back to Inverness so it is with great delight that we are launching the 2023 search here today with the new talent who will help to take the food sector here in Scotland forward. I, for one, am looking forward to seeing their work and getting the competition off to a great start.”
The expert bakers were there to offer advice as needed.
After a lot of hard work and determination the students had successfully completed their decorations and the expert bakers were able to judge and pick a winner.
Ms Turner said: “Everyone has impressed us with their iconic and inspirational skills, creating truly unique cakes with a variety of impressions from thistles to Highland cows to Nessies. We’ve truly seen Scotland on each of these cakes.”
All students were awarded with a signed copy of her cookbook Everyday Bakes to Showstopper Cakes. Tetiana won an additional prize of a stand mixer which she said she was delighted with.
“I was looking for one the other day but realised I couldn’t afford one so I had to get a hand mixer,” she said.
The competition to find the best baker in Scotland is now under way.
Mr Mcghee said: “We are delighted to give the public a say with our Customer Choice awards. It’s a great opportunity for our members to reach out to their customers and communities and get people talking about great, traditional Scottish baking.
“It’s really easy to vote too, ask your bakery for their unique QR code to scan, or a voting form in store now. Alternatively, log on to the competition website www.bakeroftheyear.scotto vote.”
The awards take place in Glasgow on May 6.
