CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

Lothians Schoolgirl crowned best home baker in Scotland

The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant at the Scottish National Gallery in Edinburgh has named 14-year-old Grace Warnock its champion home baker following its nationwide search earlier this year.

Lothians Schoolgirl crowned best home baker in Scotland

Article Source: Taste Communications
Last Updated: 21 November 2019 16:02

A schoolgirl from Prestonpans in East Lothian has been crowned Scotland’s finest home baker.

The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant at the Scottish National Gallery in Edinburgh has named 14-year-old Grace Warnock its champion home baker following its nationwide search earlier this year.

Amateur bakers from John o' Groats to Jedburgh were encouraged to slip on their aprons and show off their culinary creations for a chance to be featured on The Scottish Cafe’s iconic afternoon tea menu.

From classic cream cakes to indulgent gateaus and classic cupcakes, The Scottish Cafe received an overwhelming variety of mouthwatering entries from the country’s most talented home cooks, including mums, dads, grandparents and children of all ages. Entries were also encouraged from schools, colleges and families.

Grace, who attends Preston Lodge High School in Prestonpans, came out on top as the first ‘Contini Bake Off’ champion, having impressed the judges with her Trifle, Banoffee, Apple Pie and Lemon Meringue cupcakes. Grace has been baking at home with her mum since she was only three years old and really enjoys baking crispy cakes, biscuits and bread in the kitchen with her family.

Head ‘Contini Bake Off’ judge and Scottish Cafe owner, Carina Contini, was joined by the venue’s specialist pastry chefs to select the overall star baker. They were on the lookout for technical ability, creative flair, originality and use of local ingredients, but ultimately a delicious and eye-catching addition to The Scottish Cafe’s signature afternoon tea menu.

The judges were unanimous in their decision to choose Grace for the top accolade. As part of her prize, Grace recently joined Carina Contini for an afternoon tea masterclass at The Scottish Cafe, before recreating her own recipe, which will be showcased on the afternoon tea menu throughout November.

Commenting on being crowned winner of the ‘Contini Bake Off’ 2019, Grace said: “I’m so excited to be the first Contini Bake Off champion.

“My trifle cupcake is my favourite and I think it’s the perfect choice for Christmas too. My recipe combines vanilla cake, custard filling, a jelly centre made of from my own homemade jam and whipped cream icing. I bake mainly cakes and biscuits at home, but I'm trying to practice other things like pastry and bread too.”


Carina Contini added: “We’re absolutely thrilled that Grace has become the winner of our first ever Contini Bake Off competition and we can’t wait to showcase her delicious cupcakes on The Scottish Cafe afternoon tea menu this month.

“With the home baking trend continuing to grip the nation, we wanted to encourage talented amateur cooks of all ages to put their culinary skills in the limelight. Grace really did rise to the challenge and dazzled us with her creative flair.

“As the home of one of Edinburgh’s finest afternoon teas at the Scottish National Gallery, The Scottish Cafe is the perfect setting to celebrate this iconic British dining tradition, as well as people’s passion for beautifully presented and mouthwateringly delicious food.

“We look forward to launching our second annual search for Scotland’s best home baker in 2020.”


The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant is an independent, family business owned and operated by Edinburgh restaurateurs, Victor and Carina Contini, who showcase the very best seasonal and local Scottish produce. In 2019, The Scottish Cafe is celebrating a decade of being home to one of the finest afternoon teas in Scotland, which includes a dedicated scone trolley service.

For more information on The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant, visit www.contini.com/scottish-cafe-and-restaurant
Instagram www.instagram.com/thescottishcafe,
Twitter @Continibites
Facebook www.facebook.com/theScottishCafe

Image: Carina Contini with winner Grace Warnock

Sponsored Links

Link
Fayre Play
Escape The Past
Open Pass Scotland
Escape The Past

Latest Edinburgh News

Edinburgh Zoo welcomes only sloth bear in Scotland

Edinburgh Zoo welcomes only sloth bear in Scotland

Edinburgh Zoo has welcomed Scotland’s only sloth bear, Cipísek, from Zlin Zoo in the Czech Republic.

READ MORE
Summer long celebration of the 90s and britpop launched

Summer long celebration of the 90s and britpop launched

PubLife, a UK-wide summer celebration of the '90s will take place in over 500 pubs, including 7 in Scotland.

READ MORE
Family days out just got better with free entry for kids at Scone Palace

Family days out just got better with free entry for kids at Scone Palace

This summer, as school holidays get underway, families are invited to enjoy a day out at Scone Palace with their Kids Go Free promotion.

READ MORE
Scone Palace International Horse Trials

Scone Palace International Horse Trials

The inaugural Scone Palace International Horse Trials will take place from 21st–24th August 2025 in the stunning grounds of Scone Palace and Perth Racecourse.

READ MORE
Collective opens new programme inspired by the original panorama invented on Calton Hill

Collective opens new programme inspired by the original panorama invented on Calton Hill

Today, Collective is delighted to announce and open a new programme, Panorama: New Views of a City, running from Wednesday 9 July to Sunday 21 December 2025.

READ MORE
Get Creative at the LEGO Edinburgh Store this Summer

Get Creative at the LEGO Edinburgh Store this Summer

This summer, The LEGO Group is excited to bring its new Summer Fun with Music Creativity Workshop directly to families in Edinburgh!

READ MORE
Countdown begins: The AJ Bell Great Scottish Run returns to Glasgow in October

Countdown begins: The AJ Bell Great Scottish Run returns to Glasgow in October

Scotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow on Sunday 5th October and they want everyone to 'Be Your Greatest'.

READ MORE
Meet Elphaba, Glinda and Stitch inspired characters at Fort Kinnaird this summer

Meet Elphaba, Glinda and Stitch inspired characters at Fort Kinnaird this summer

Families will have the chance to meet some of this year’s biggest blockbuster-inspired characters for free at Fort Kinnaird this summer, as part of a series of exciting meet and greet sessions.

READ MORE
The Famous Spiegeltent announces Edinburgh summer programme

The Famous Spiegeltent announces Edinburgh summer programme

This week, the globally acclaimed venue, The Famous Spiegeltent makes her grand return to St Andrew Square after almost a decade away from her spiritual home.

READ MORE
Community spirit is blooming in Newtongrange as award winning gardens are revealed

Community spirit is blooming in Newtongrange as award winning gardens are revealed

Newtongrange Community Council is now pleased to reveal the names of the green-fingered locals that stood out in this historic garden contest.

READ MORE
Dive into fun at Ocean Commotion Soft Play

Dive into fun at Ocean Commotion Soft Play

Dynamic Earth launches its Toddler Tidal and Deep-Sea Discovery Zones in a bid provide accessible enrichment for little ones across the Capital.

READ MORE
DofE Gold Award holders were guests of honour at The Palace of Holyroodhouse

DofE Gold Award holders were guests of honour at The Palace of Holyroodhouse

His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh welcomed Gold DofE Award holders to The Palace of Holyroodhouse this morning at a very special event to mark their achievements.

READ MORE
BTS fans take the spotlight in latest K Pop documentary heading to Vue

BTS fans take the spotlight in latest K Pop documentary heading to Vue

BTS Army: Forever We Are Young, a brand-new documentary celebrating the fans that helped catapult 21st century pop icons BTS into global stardom comes to Vue.

READ MORE
Plenty of summer family fun at Vue venues across Scotland

Plenty of summer family fun at Vue venues across Scotland

Family favourites and animated adventures are heading to the big screen this summer holiday at Vue venues across Scotland.

READ MORE
Capital Theatres celebrates history of Kings Theatre with launch of The Peoples Archive

Capital Theatres celebrates history of Kings Theatre with launch of The Peoples Archive

Capital Theatres has today launched The People’s Archive, a digital exhibition that celebrates the rich history and cultural legacy of the King’s Theatre.

READ MORE
Mother and Daughter duo crowned ultimate Stitch fans in Edinburgh

Mother and Daughter duo crowned ultimate Stitch fans in Edinburgh

A Disney-loving mum and her one-year-old daughter have been crowned Edinburgh’s biggest Stitch fans after winning a competition hosted by Fort Kinnaird.

READ MORE
Dinosaurs roar to life in a Jurassic takeover at Livingston Designer Outlet

Dinosaurs roar to life in a Jurassic takeover at Livingston Designer Outlet

Livingston Designer Outlet goes Jurassic crazy this July with lifelike dinosaurs, ranger training and endless photo opportunities for the whole family to enjoy.

READ MORE
Fife & Forth Bridge Steam Train Journey Announced

Fife & Forth Bridge Steam Train Journey Announced

Departing on Saturday 29th November 2025 at from Edinburgh Waverley, this enchanting lunchtime journey will be led by the iconic 60532 Blue Peter.

READ MORE
Edinburgh International Film Festival announces  2025 Programme

Edinburgh International Film Festival announces 2025 Programme

Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) has today announced its programme of screenings and events for its 2025 edition.

READ MORE
GreenFox Energy powers up Party at the Palace with first solar festival stage in Scotland

GreenFox Energy powers up Party at the Palace with first solar festival stage in Scotland

Party at the Palace will host Scotland’s first solar-powered festival stage, the GreenFox Energy Breakthrough Stage, twinning clean energy and the joy of live music.

READ MORE
Gilded Balloon announce a star studded line up for special 40th anniversary shows

Gilded Balloon announce a star studded line up for special 40th anniversary shows

Gilded Balloon has unveiled a huge line-up of comedy stars to take part in a special ‘40 Years of Fringe’ in conversation series, to celebrate the venue’s 40th anniversary.

READ MORE
SAY Award opens submissions for eligible albums

SAY Award opens submissions for eligible albums

Scotland’s national music prize – the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award – has opened submissions for 2025’s £20,000 prize.

READ MORE
Edinburgh International Film Festival announces 2025 Festival Footprint

Edinburgh International Film Festival announces 2025 Festival Footprint

Ahead of its programme launch on 2 July, EIFF venues will include Filmhouse, Cameo Cinema, Vue Omni and a new pop-up screen at National Galleries Scotland: National.

READ MORE
New dining chapter begins at Edinburgh restaurant inspired by famous author

New dining chapter begins at Edinburgh restaurant inspired by famous author

One of Edinburgh’s most popular city centre restaurants has started a new dining chapter at its famous Castle Street venue.

READ MORE
Garner Hotels Debuts in Scotland with the Opening of Garner Hotel Edinburgh in Haymarket

Garner Hotels Debuts in Scotland with the Opening of Garner Hotel Edinburgh in Haymarket

IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) today announces the opening of Garner Hotel Edinburgh - Haymarket, a 195-room flagship hotel bringing a fresh energy to the city’s West End.

READ MORE
Edinburgh pupils discover the world of beekeeping with educational day at Fort Kinnaird

Edinburgh pupils discover the world of beekeeping with educational day at Fort Kinnaird

Pupils from local Edinburgh primary schools swapped the classroom for beekeeping as they had the chance to visit Fort Kinnaird’s thriving beehives for a day buzzing with educational fun.

READ MORE
Magic of Christmas set to make Edinburgh sparkle this Winter

Magic of Christmas set to make Edinburgh sparkle this Winter

Edinburgh started to unwrap its annual Christmas present, with the announcement of this year’s festive celebration dates and a first hint of what to expect this year.

READ MORE
Nicola Benedetti brings the Edinburgh International Festival to NHS Hospital with Live Performance

Nicola Benedetti brings the Edinburgh International Festival to NHS Hospital with Live Performance

Edinburgh International Festival Director and Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti performed alongside guitarist Plínio Fernandes as part of a series of NHS Festival Sessions.

READ MORE
Cineworld announces 1 pound Family Films all summer long

Cineworld announces 1 pound Family Films all summer long

Cineworld has today announced £1 Family Films, running every week from July 25, so that families can be more childish together all summer long.

READ MORE
Great value summer holiday activities at Dobbies Garden Centres

Great value summer holiday activities at Dobbies Garden Centres

This summer, gather the whole family and head to Dobbies Garden Centres for a day of fun-filled activities that will keep costs down.

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

Paisley First
Renfrewshire Council
ATG
Hostelworld
Edinburgh Dungeon

Sponsored Links

Link
Fayre Play
Escape The Past
Open Pass Scotland
Escape The Past
Paisley First
Renfrewshire Council
ATG
Hostelworld
Edinburgh Dungeon

Popular Events

British & Irish Lions Tour At Malones
The countdown is on! Come and watch the British & Irish Lions tour live at Malones Edinburgh!
Women & Whisky
Join us for a memorable evening of whisky exploration in the stunning new Scotch Room at Whiski Rooms on Friday 25th July.
Innis & Gunn presents Mànran at The Mound
The powerhouse of Scottish traditional music, Mànran, return to Innis & Gunn at The Mound on 18th July for a full headline set following a surprise appearance last year!
Hypnotist Matt Hale: Funbelievable! 90s Rewind
The unmissable smash-hit comedy hypnotist Matt Hale is back at the Fringe with a 90s party hypnoshow!
Chloe Jones - UK Tour 2025
Following her debut performance at Glastonbury Festival and a Nashville tour, join acclaimed folk-Americana singer-songwriter Chloe Jones for an intimate acoustic evening at The Waverley Bar!

Popular Listings

Corn Exchange Haddington Edinburgh Playhouse Festival Theatre Edinburgh Howden Park Centre Livingston Kings Theatre Edinburgh National Museum of Scotland O2 Academy Edinburgh The Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh Traverse Theatre Usher Hall