The ovarian cancer charity Ovacome is calling on would-be bakers to join its supporters the actress Jenny Agutter and celebrity chef Chris Horridge and dig out their mixing bowls and wooden spoons to prepare for The Big Ovacome Bake Off.
The initiative is Ovacome’s major fundraising push for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month this coming March. And the top bake off fundraiser will be given the prize of tea for two at The Ritz with Jenny Agutter.
With sponsorship from Nisa, the nationwide chain of convenience stores, Ovacome has produced bake off party packs to talk fundraisers through holding a successful baking event and how to get maximum involvement and, if wanted, publicity for it.
The party packs, which are available from Ovacome, will among other things include bunting, a free bake off branded T-towel, a winner’s certificate, advice on holding bake offs in the workplace, home or hall and tips on how to create a bit of a fanfare and awareness by dealing with the press.
The packs will also include favourite recipes from Ovacome’s patron Jenny Agutter – a lemon polenta cake – and supporter Chris Horridge – a sugar and gluten-free chocolate torte. Chris, who has helped Ovacome with charity work in the past, is the development chef at Ronan Foods in a new venture developing sugar and gluten-free desserts. Jenny’s bake also happens to be gluten free and she has adapted a recipe to take reduced sugar content, preferring to take the healthy option when she can.
The idea is to get as many Ovacome supporters to hold bake-offs, ideally charging competitors to take part and then selling the cakes they make, creating a double income from each event. Organisers might want to use Jenny and Chris’ recipes to give their bake offs a truly Ovacome spin. For those who want to raise awareness of the disease there are handouts available highlighting the main symptoms. And there are bake off branded aprons available at £10 to wear during the bake off or to give out as a prize to the winning bake off competitor.
Ovacome’s chief executive Louise Bayne is hopeful that the idea will encourage many supporters to raise money for the charity next year. “Baking is becoming a bit of a national obsession with programmes such as The Great British Bake Off really engaging would-be chefs.
“Our party packs will give an easy to use template on creating a hassle free and fun event, which could attract interest from the press and in so doing raise awareness as well as invaluable funds for the charity.”
“It’s a fun way that our members can get together with family, friends or colleagues in a relaxed social occasion, while raising money and awareness for a very important cause. And we are very grateful for the funding from Nisa which has made production of the party packs possible.”
To reserve your Big Ovacome Bake Off party pack contact Sonia Vig in Ovacome’s office by e-mail at s.vig@ovacome.org.uk or by phone on 020 7299 6654. Sonia will also be able to provide handouts on the main symptoms of the disease and she can take orders for
The Big Ovacome Bake Off aprons at £10 and T-towels at £5.
