The fourth Great Geobakeoff is finally concluded! It’s been another epic year, with more than 40 of you entering the competition, with a combined total of nearly 80 entries – surely a record! Thanks also to those of you who shared your off-challenge geobaking adventures with us – for which we sadly only have space to share a couple of favourites:
#geobakeoff not very “risky”, but here is me and my son’s crusty (geddit?) bread earth and bread moon: pic.twitter.com/oJkwdsjBCI
— Gordon (@thatsnotmycow) April 8, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Our next #geobakeoff entry – Mt Everest with too many tourists (very RISKY to reach the summit) by Hilde Koch + Maurice Brodbeck! @geolsoc pic.twitter.com/wgQ9rAk1uL
— iCRAG Centre (@iCRAGcentre) May 16, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Onto the challenges – and once again, to our relief, every single one was completed! Huge thanks to everyone who joined in:
10 points: The Broadchurch Cliffs
Broadchurch returned this year, and we celebrated with a nice and simple 10 point challenge. The results were delicious looking – particularly Alex’s many layered offering:
IT BEGINS.
Broadchurch cliffs.
Sort of.#geobakeoff @geolsoc @geowriter @flo_dem pic.twitter.com/lT1z06EcVB
— Alexandra Booer (@alexbooer) April 7, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
And Hannah’s millionaire shortbread cliffs, our favourite for this category!
The broadchurch cliffs on a rainy day iin millionaire shortbread and icing! @geolsoc #geobakeoff #broadchurch pic.twitter.com/8qjVXCQWsh
— Hannah Moss-Davies (@HannahMD24) April 17, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
The full compendium of Broadchurch 10 pointers:
20 points: Horst and Graben
A controversial challenge this, with much ensuing discussion over whether certain offerings were genuine horst and graben faults, or some other kind of fault masquerading as the real thing. Full marks to Louise for fixing hers at the eleventh hour, thus maintaining the geological integrity of the geobakeoff.
We enjoyed the full colour range of layered faults on offer here – but our pick for this challenge had to be Alex, for managing to craft a horst and graben fault entirely out of jelly. Not technically a bake, its true, but nonetheless magnificent.
We’re terribly Horst and Graben at number 17. #geobakeoff @geowriter @geolsoc @flo_dem pic.twitter.com/NsDxX4bMv6
— Alexandra Booer (@alexbooer) April 10, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Well done to all the horst and graben bakers!
30 points: the Lying Stones of Johann Beringer
In honour of our current library exhibition (still on display at Burlington House!), the strange and wonderful world of 18th century fake fossils. Read more about Beringer’s stones here.
Many options to choose from here – around 2,000 of the stones were collected by poor, naïve Beringer in 1725. Our geobakers embraced the full range (whilst not forgetting the all-important geological hammer, of course).
Our winner for this category is Hollie Colville, whose silvery-grey biscuits are so realistic, they could almost be…no, who are we kidding, THESE DO NOT LOOK LIKE REAL FOSSILS, NEITHER DO THE ORIGINAL STONES, HOW WAS ANYONE IN 1725 FOOLED BY THIS?
Anyway.
40 points: Yellowstone
Understandably one of the most popular challenges – although we didn’t specify, almost all of you went for the beautiful Grand Prismatic Spring.
Props to Cara Callingham for going a different way – and including geodes (geodes are going to feature heavily later on, trust me) and an impressively watery waterfall!
Getting our bake on @geolsoc #geobakeoff #yellowstone #geolhammer #geode #Bison pic.twitter.com/kDgiR6KunH
— Cara Callingham (@Cara_Callingham) May 19, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Our top pick for this challenge had to be this absolute beauty from Hannah – so realistic, it could easily be mistaken for a health and safety risk:
Grand Prismatic Spring at Yellowstone in cake & jelly – considerably less toxic than the real thing @geolsoc #geobakeoff #cake #yellowstone pic.twitter.com/yxvpRUcJdc
— Hannah Moss-Davies (@HannahMD24) April 12, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
The Yellowstone entries in full:
50 points: The Door to Hell
We’re still getting over the fact that the Door to Hell even exists as a thing – meanwhile, the creativity of the geobakeoff community embraced this challenge with enthusiasm, candles, sparklers and, in some cases, simply by baking a cake and setting it on fire.
#geobakeoff to @geolsoc Peter aged 16 “The door to hell” action video. pic.twitter.com/2ZB0NNffvp
— S C (@smclough334) April 15, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Sparks are flying at the ‘Door to hell’ @geolsoc #geobakeoff pic.twitter.com/MMcqTksqq1
— Louise Hawkins (@lhawkinsgeomag) May 10, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
The challenge continues with another cakey creation from Paul, this time a rice crispy Door to Hell! #geobakeoff #besteatencold #geolsoc pic.twitter.com/yvnZQ2NHrH
— Terra Firma (South) (@TerraFirmaSouth) May 15, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
We also loved this spooky creation from Alison Moss-Davies:
Tough to pick a winner here – you all went above and beyond – but our favourite comes from Envireau Water’s Anna and Leanne – who even sent us a behind the scenes video featuring all the action:
Well done, Door to Hell bakers. They’re all magnificent, and we hope you had the appropriate safety equipment standing by.
60 points: Mordor
Seeing as how 2017 is the year truth and facts stopped meaning anything, we thought we’d include a fictional challenge in this year’s bakeoff – and Mordor offers plenty of choices for the adventurous geobaker. A straightforward volcano bake, the tower of Barad-dur, or the whole lot at once?
Some great efforts here to add to the drama of the scene. Geobakers added moody backdrops, orcs, and…are those chocolate bunnies…?
Rocky road Mordor for #geobakeoff with @GeoRowbo with Frodo chilling in the Shire beside it @geolsoc @iCRAGcentre #atleastwetried pic.twitter.com/m4VWfjB3Oe
— Aileen (@aileendoran1) May 18, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
But the clear winner here was Liz Laycock’s AMAZING tower of Barad-dur, complete with appropriate lighting. A thing of terrifying beauty.
The Mordor entries in full:
70 points: Geode
This was by far the most popular challenge, despite the fact that we weren’t really sure how you would pull it off.
No fewer than 19 – 19!! – geodes feature in what is surely the largest geobakeoff montage I’ve ever been called upon to produce. Highlights included Deirdre Walsh’s amazing geode cake, created for the iCRAG Centre geobakeoff:
A geode (cake) #geobakeoff @geolsoc @iCRAGcentre pic.twitter.com/vuofdNb9SR
— Deirdre Walsh (@deirdreannwalsh) May 10, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
A geobakeoff entry (and White Apron contender) all the way from North Carolina, from Seth James:
Hannah Moss-Davies’ geodes with really really crystal growth:
My two geodes with really really crystal growth if I do say so myself! @geolsoc #geobakeoff pic.twitter.com/FzJcvntn1m
— Hannah Moss-Davies (@HannahMD24) April 20, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
and our top pick of the geodes, from Liz Laycock and her self described team of ‘house raptors’:
Team N made another #geobakeoff– entry geode (sugar crystals and chocolate) pic.twitter.com/mxlkRk3khr
— Liz Laycock (@longrat) May 18, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Phew. So many geodes. SO MANY.
80 points: The Great Wave off Kanagawa
It may not have produced the biggest crop of entries, but I think this one might be my favourite of this year’s challenges.
We had no idea how you were going to approach it, and we had the full range, from two beautiful iced depictions:
Team N (by me this time!) Then great wave [in run-out icing] #geobakeoff pic.twitter.com/zwTJ7eirVO
— Liz Laycock (@longrat) May 10, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
#geobakeoff we made the tsunami cake! So much fun! #earlhamgeology pic.twitter.com/XxqUmEP8MO
— Elizabeth R. (@ActinoLove) May 8, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Hannah’s shortbread version:
A shortbread and icing interpretation of the great wave off Kanagawa by Hokusai! @geolsoc #geobakeoff #tsunami #baking pic.twitter.com/lVyxtJaQ8u
— Hannah Moss-Davies (@HannahMD24) May 14, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
and a full 3D interpretation which survived all the way into the office for the Coal Authority’s bakeoff!
Entry no 2: The Great Wave off Kanagawa. It even survived the trip to work! @geolsoc #geobakeoff pic.twitter.com/0S7GXffgxb
— Fiona Todd (@fktodd) May 15, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Our winner for this category is Deborah Thomas, who created this amazing feat for the Wardell Armstrong bakeoff:
The Great Waves in full:
90 points: The NHM’s Dippy/Whale
We gave you a choice here, and it’s pretty clear what the geobaking community thinks of the NHM’s recent dinosaur to whale switchover in its entrance hall – not a one of you took the whale option! A most scientific and conclusive poll, we feel.
This was also a popular category for your entries into our 2017 Year of Risk best geobaking fail award category – a couple of self described failures appear here.
Our pick for this category wins both – because, although yes, technically it’s sort of a fail, it’s gloriously done, and it made us smile…
Dippy the diplodocus just wanted to flop this weekend #geobakeoff fail @geolsoc pic.twitter.com/Ncbt6hyXtn
— Louise Hawkins (@lhawkinsgeomag) May 21, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Here are all your dippy entries!
100 points: Petra
Controversially, we veered away from the traditional Jurassic Park themed 100 point challenge this year – and we were not disappointed by the outcome! Lots of you put your construction abilities to the test to create the ancient city of Petra. There was marzipan, there was gingerbread, there were tiny handcrafted Sean Connerys (Conneries?) and biscuit camels and lego people, and we loved it all.
We particularly enjoyed Alex, Debbie and Karen’s offering, which included a cast of characters from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, including details right down to Harrison Ford’s whip (we’re slightly concerned Harrison may not be wearing trousers, however…?)
…as well as Alex Russell’s creative use of wafer rolls for the iCRAG bakeoff:
Unveiling time of my #Petra #geobakeoff complete with camel, hammer & Indiana Jones @iCRAGcentre @geolsoc #geology #rocks #baking pic.twitter.com/r42V28Hcvt
— Alex Russell (@alexrussell290) May 18, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
And Natasha Stephen offered us a 360 degree tour of her fabulous spiced victoria sponge with blackberry Petra:
.@geolsoc #GeoBakeOff Video to show Cake-Petra in all its glory… These things are getting crazier every year! pic.twitter.com/5WMWZKSTqm
— Natasha Stephen (@NatStephen) May 21, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
But our favourite Petra came from Tracey Radford and son, combining cake, icing and decoration for a spectacular result!
Sunday baking fun making El Deir, Petra with my son #geobakeoff @geolsoc @InsideAtkins pic.twitter.com/bUUb1np5bl
— Tracey Radford (@TaRadford) May 21, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Well done to everyone who took on the 100 point challenge:
The Results
As always, this year’s bakeoff has been near impossible to judge – and we apologise profusely if we overlooked any entries!
Huge thanks, as ever, to everyone who threw themselves enthusiastically at our ridiculous challenges – you are all winners, and deserve many baking accolades.
Before we award the aprons, we want to thank all the companies who clubbed together to hold their own geobakeoffs, many raising money for charity along the way – it’s always great to see the geobakeoff taking on a life of its own! The iCRAG centre held their own awards ceremony – congratulations to the winner, Deirdre Walsh!
Big congrats to @deirdreannwalsh on winning the iCRAG heat of @geolsoc #geobakeoff for the second year in a row. A worthy winner! pic.twitter.com/g4VrQYll5u
— iCRAG Centre (@iCRAGcentre) May 18, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
They also awarded something called ‘the Golden Broccoli’ – we’re not entirely sure what that means, but congratulations to Cole Guo and Mudasar Saqab for winning it!
Finally, the winners of our #geobakeoff Golden Broccoli award for, em, well, you know what we mean, are Cole Guo and Mudasar Saqab! @geolsoc pic.twitter.com/0Iv8E3QlyJ
— iCRAG Centre (@iCRAGcentre) May 18, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
A shout out also to the Envireau Water team, who not only contributed some fabulous entries, but managed to bring the geobakeoff to the attention of none other than former Great British Bakeoff (some other slightly inferior national baking competition, we are told) contestant Luis!
Anna, Senior Hydrogeologist @envireauwater asking @luistroyano from @BritishBakeOff advice about baking our entry for #geobakeoff @geolsoc pic.twitter.com/R9F6hwsjWU
— Envireau Team (@envireauteam) May 3, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
They also created a storyboard of their day of baking – looks like an excellent time was had.
A story board of our busy day baking our entry for #geobakeoff @geolsoc. The Door to Hell! Behind-the-scenes footage coming soon! pic.twitter.com/IbPqFBRH7i
— Envireau Team (@envireauteam) May 3, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Right, onto the prizes…!
The White Apron
Lots of contenders for our young baker award this year – the winner is 16 year old Peter, who completed a magnificent four of the challenges! We especially liked Mordor, complete with set dressing…
#geobakeoff @geolsoc Peter aged 16 “Mordor” pic.twitter.com/0ysKIxYHHT
— S C (@smclough334) April 9, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
And here are Peter’s entries in full!
The Green Apron
Awarded for achieving the most points, this is always a fiercely contested award. Hannah Moss Davies came close, with a magnificent 370 points – but once again the winner is Liz Laycock and her team of house raptors, who completed every challenge for the full 560 points!
Here they are in full – including that stunning Mordor tower…
The Polka Dot Apron
So technically this is for the most accurate geological representation, but we’re bending the rules slightly here with a broad definition of ‘geological’ – the award goes to Deborah Thomas for her Great Wave off Kanagawa rice crispie creation – such a creative interpretation of the brief!
The Yellow Apron
The prize for the best overall bake is always a tough decision, and this year, as ever, featured many contenders!
Our winner, for not only baking a beautiful creation, but one that’s amazingly close to the real thing, is Hannah Moss Davies’ incredible Grand Prismatic Spring!
And that’s it, for another year! WELL DONE to all our magnificent geobakers, and we hope to see you again next time!
Seeing the Geobakeoff results is one of the highlights of my year!
Pingback: The 2018 Great Geobakeoff | Geological Society of London blog