Week 6 of the competition and it was with a slight sinking feeling that competitors realised that just two subsequent weeks remain – how will we get through Wednesdays without our weekly sugar fix? With this in mind, this week's bakers certainly pulled out all the stops to impress the tasters.
And the tasters were definitely a mixed bunch, with ever-professional Donna arriving with a palate-cleansing glass of water only to discover that standards had improved so much since she'd tasted the scones in week two that she found it almost impossible to choose between them. Things got off to a slightly more shaky start with Michael from Facilities who asked for a bin after he took his first bite as he "couldn't eat very much at this time of the morning" – it's a tough job but someone's gotta do it!
Despite much of the fare being super-sweet and sinful, our conscientious bakers were still keen to ensure the tasters got some of their 5-a-day. Andy in Marketing baked some impressive-looking pineapple & coconut muffins topped with almonds whilst Neil from Finance produced traditional fruity blueberry versions. The girls also made sure they were watching our waistlines with Lui's heart-shaped apple and cinnamon muffins and Nicola's super-healthy yet super-tasty contribution - beautiful banana and sultana muffins.
The unofficial 'Teacher's Pet' award went to Amy from the Merch and Planning team who represented the global ethos of Lands' End with her American cheesecake, English strawberry and German streusel muffins; all presented in a beautiful wooden box with hand painted signs.
Owen from Marketing continued the international theme with his chorizo and manchego cheese drop muffins made to an authentic Spanish recipe (via a kitchen in Northampton). Proving that looks aren't everything, the muffins were declared a resounding success and were the first ones to disappear once the tables were opened up. Magnifico!
Almost buckling under the pressure to change the fortunes of the beleaguered Copy & Web team, Rebecca made her second batch of muffins without one vital ingredient. Despite this 'flour pas', her savoury courgette & feta muffins and marvellous lemon meringues saw her storm to victory as one half of the week's joint Star Baking team alongside Shani who scooped the top spot for her brandy-infused prune, armagnac and chocolate muffins – hitting the bottle at 6am in the morning certainly seemed to pay off.
So with the scores now in, Marketing have slipped down into joint 3rd place with Finance; whilst ES, IS, Facilities & Engineering have jumped ahead into position number 2. But with Merch & Planning celebrating their 6th week at the top of the table and 24 points ahead of their closest rival, it seems the remaining teams will have to do battle for the silver medal… check back next week to find out whose flans fall flat and whose pies reign supreme.
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