Events & Entertainment, Wimborne | Posted on August 21st, 2025 | return to news

Great Wimborne Bake Off to take place at food festival

Residents are invited to take part in the challenge and find out who can bake the best Victoria Sponge.

To mark the 80^th anniversaries of Victory in Europe and Victory over Japan (VE and VJ Day), this year’s Wimborne Food Festival will feature World War II-themed baking competition.

The Food Festival, taking place on Saturday 20 September, invites anyone to take part in a truly British tradition — baking the perfect Victoria Sponge.

This year, there will be three categories: one for adult bakers, and two for younger chefs aged 7- to 11-year-olds and 12- to 16-year-olds. Entry to the competition is free and there is a top prize of a £150 NEFF induction pan set, donated by festival sponsor Dacombes of Wimborne. Winners of the youth categories will receive a £20 book token each, courtesy of Wimborne Minster Town Council.

The cakes will be assessed by a team of judges including MasterChef contestant George Williams and Christian Ørner, chocolatier and private chef. Both professionals are doing cooking demonstrations as part of the Wimborne Food Festival. Joining them will be Councillor Chris Ryan from Wimborne Minster Town Council.

After judging, cakes will be sliced and sold to raise funds for the mayor of Wimborne Minster’s chosen charities: Millstream Theatre group for disabled performers and Dorset Community Action’s youth services.

To take part, simply bring your cake to the Dacombes of Wimborne stand at the main festival site of Willow Walk near Waitrose from 2.30pm. Judging will take place at 3.15pm.

Mayor of Wimborne Minster, Cllr Jeff Hart said: “Grab your apron, gather your ingredients, and join the Wimborne Bake Off. Bake for victory – and for some great local causes.”

Organised by Wimborne BID, the festival takes place on Saturday 20 September from 11am until 4pm with stalls and cookery demonstrations on Willow Walk, foodie street parties in Church Street and East Street, events on Minster Green and a Dorset farmers market in Wimborne Square.