“What an extraordinary, overwhelmingly positive response we had to our first ever Castleisland Community College Fairtrade Bake Off.
“The number of cakes that were baked and the diversity in their design was simply astonishing,” was the delighted response of one of the organising / teaching staff members, Elaine Murphy at the college during the big event.
Transition Year Idea
The judging panel was led by James Brosnan, head baker at Garvey’s SuperValu, Castleisland; Beatrice Horan, Confectioner in Garvey’s SuperValu; Ger O’Connor, AIB Branch Manager Castleisland and Mary Walsh, Castleisland Tidy Towns.
The idea for the competition came from Transition Year students who are currently taking part in the AIB Build a Bank Challenge.
Manage a Bank
The challenge involves a team of eight students selected to set up and manage a bank in their school.
Students get involved in everything from developing a business plan, branding their bank and engaging with the community to sourcing new customers through creative marketing campaigns.
Fair Trade Theme
This year, students in Castleisland Community College have selected the theme of Fair Trade for their bank.
The aim of the project is for Castleisland to become a Fairtrade Town.
The judges considered four criteria in which they awarded marks: taste, appearance, the use of Fairtrade products and originality of design.
Amazing Products
Students came up with the creativity, energy and desire to use their talents to create amazing products.
The judges had a tough job in choosing a winner with 20 unique entries to choose from.
The wining product was created by three Transition Year students Justyna Balas, Janine O’Sullivan and Connor O’Sullivan with their tasty and creative homemade truffles.
Restaurant Quality Baking
Summing up the task of the judges, Garvey’s SuperValu head baker, James Brosnan said that the competition was close and fierce.
“There was nothing between any of the competitors in there today and there was some serious, restaurant quality baking on show there,” said Mr.Brosnan.
An Amazing Prize
The runners up were Konrad Kloskowski of second year and Shaoirse Reidy from first year. The winners of the Bake Off have won an amazing prize sponsored by Garvey’s SuperValu.
They will be given the opportunity to recreate their product in store with James Brosnan guiding and advising them on their product and they will then brand it and sell it in store.
Supporting Initiative
“This Transition Year initiative is being supported by many groups in the town and we would like to also take this opportunity to thank those we are working with to reach the goal of becoming a Fairtrade town,” said Ms. Murphy.
Castleisland Chamber Alliance; Garvey’s SuperValu; AIB Bank; Castleisland Tidy Towns and the local businesses, coffee shops and restaurants that provide Fairtrade products,” said Ms. Murphy.
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