Facebook praise inspires mum to finals of ‘Great Merseyside Bake-Off’ (From St Helens Star)
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Facebook praise inspires mum to finals of ‘Great Merseyside Bake-Off’
8:00am Saturday 11th August 2012 in News
Amber shows off some of her cupcakes.
MUM-of-two Amber Bateman is hoping to rise to the challenge in a regional baking contest – after plaudits she received on Facebook convinced her to enter.
Amber, from Peasley Cross, is celebrating after winning a place in the final of the ‘Great Merseyside Bake-Off’.
She will be one of 12 contestants judged by Wallasey-born Paul Hollywood, star of TV’s Great British Bake Off.
The amateur baker, 45, has lived in St Helens for 14 years after emigrating from New England, America, when she met husband Chris, from Liverpool.
She works as an NHS business partner and a wedding photographer, but admits she would think about moving into the bakery business if judges love the treats, particularly her speciality cupcakes.
Amber said: “I’ve been baking since I was a little girl, and have always seen it as a good way to relieve stress.
“But I’ve never done it to sell cakes or enter competitions. Recently my mum came over to visit and I started baking a lot.
“I was posting pictures of the cakes on Facebook and people were saying nice things – so I thought maybe I can do this.”
The final bake-off takes place during the Liverpool Food and Drink Festival launch weekend, due to take place in Sefton Park on September 1 and 2.
The winning baker will be invited, with a guest, to attend the Liverpool Food and Drink Awards, where they will be presented with an award in front of Merseyside’s top food and drink talent.
The winner’s recipe will also be featured as ‘cake of the week’ at the John Lewis café in Liverpool ONE.
