Andrew Nutter in charity Eccles Cake challenge

Charity Eccles Cake challenge

The humble Lancashire pastry is to be the star of the show in a charity bake off like no other as chefs from across the North, including Andrew Nutter, fight it out to bake the best Eccles Cake.

The ‘Eccles Cake Off 2017’ which will take place on Monday 24 April at Solita Didsbury will see chefs from across the North West joined by talent from as far afield as Northumbria and Yorkshire as they fight it out during a live cook off.

The sultana and pastry goodies will be judged by Michelin starred chef and proprietor of Fraiche, Marc Wilkinson; CEO of Northern Restaurant & Bar, Thom Hetherington; Guardian and BBC Good Food writer, Tony Naylor and restaurant blogger, Hungry Hoss.

The competition is the brainchild of Hungry Hoss – a fan of Eccles Cakes and a long-term supporter of Manchester based homeless charity ‘Not Just Soup’.

Talking about the challenge he said: “We’ve a cracking line up of chefs and industry experts set to bake some of the best Eccles Cakes the North of England has ever seen. The rules are pretty simple - the Eccles Cake creations can be traditional or inventive but need to be 'recognisable' in some way as Eccles Cakes.”

Not Just Soup was founded by restauranteur and creator of the Solita brand, Franco Sotgiu in response to the vast amount of homelessness in the city. Each week in Manchester (on Tuesdays and Sundays), local restaurants take it in turns to cook for the city’s hungry and homeless.

The event is sponsored by Bookers, R Noone & Son, Boutinot Wines, Amato Products, Inka Charcoal Ovens and Cave Direct Beer.