I must admit I was a little surprised to receive an invitation by Aduki to be a guest judge at The Great Melbourne Vegan Bake Off. For starters, I am clearly not vegan (a quick look around this blog would quickly dispel that!). But I must confess I am totally intrigued to learn more about cooking without animal products, especially from a technical point of view. Having done a bit of pastry-cheffing in my time, I am well versed in the art of using butter and eggs for baked goods. So I am absolutely fascinated to both taste and learn more about baking to vegan values.
Entrants can enter categories of cupcakes, whole cakes, biscuits, slices, savoury, raw, dessert and gluten free. The judging panel includes myself, Marieke Hardy (ABC, The Age), and Leigh Munro, a renowned animal carer and long term vegan.
Prizes will also be awarded to the best in each category.
So if you are interested in learning more about vegan baking, then feel free to pop along. Non-competitors are welcome with a gold coin donation.
Saturday 27 March 2010, 2-4.30pm
The Vegetarian Network Victoria
Kindness House, Suite 6, 288 Brunswick St, Fitzroy
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I can’t imagine vegan gluten free anything – let alone baking! Looking forward to your insights Mellie
My one and only attempt at something vegan-esque (a modified version of my mum’s chocolate slice) seemed to be a big success! A shame I have to do weddingy stuff on Saturday, I’d be interested to see what people present.
Good luck with the judging Mel!
I’d be interested to know what your impression of this event was, as a non-vegan.
I’m not a vegan (just a lactose-intolerant vegetarian) and I’m not very involved in the local veg community, but went along out of curiosity, the lure of sugar and because I’m really fascinated by raw cooking.
I know you guys were well over baked goods by the end of the judging, but I was left a little annoyed — a lot of people pushed/jumped to the front of the line and grabbed huge servings of everything, leaving very little for the rest of us. I didn’t want to eat LOTS, but I wanted to try as much as possible, and was a bit disappointed with how selfish some people there were (I guess I automatically presume vegans will be kinder people, which is stupid, really).
On the upside, what I DID try was quite good. I loved the raw “ice cream” and some of the chocolate cakes were really good.
How was it Mellie? Love to hear your thoughts on what you tasted.
I too am eagerly awaiting to hear how it was!
oooh how did this event go? Sounds interesting. I know, for a fact, how hard GF baking can be! I am still mastering my skills at that one