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Home cooking on the rise and August sees the National Cupcake Championships

The recession has led to an increase in home-cooked foods with staples like shepherd's pie and spaghetti bolognese growing in popularity. This trend has also seen an increase in sales of "part homemade" foods such as meal kits and sauces. Another home baking trend has been cupcakes, with almost a third of cupcakes consumed last year being homemade. Bakers have taken note of their soaring popularity and have had to make some skillful innovations in order to entice consumers back to their outlets. In august 2011 the National Cupcake Championships will be held at the ICA in London.

HOME COOKING ON THE RISE SAY ANALYSTS
July 29th, 2011
The number of home-cooked evening meals has risen by 12% in the past three years as consumers cut food costs, according to the latest research by Kantar Worldpanel.
Since 2008 an additional two million people have eaten homemade savoury foods, with pizza, stews and casseroles, and chilli the most popular dishes.
Men aged between 35 and 44 are the main reason for this growth, eating home cooked food on 64 million more occasions in the last year compared to 2008.
Jodie Harris, client manager at Kantar Worldpanel, said:
"The recession has really made consumers much more aware of the cost of food and it has helped spark a revival of home cooked meals.
"With the average cost of an evening meal for four people at approximately £6 it is clear why people are reaching for their aprons.
"Consumers are also keen to cut the amount of food that they waste. In the past 12 months 6.6 million meals included food that needed 'using up' - demonstrating that cash-strapped consumers are keen to get more mileage from their food."
While consumers have embraced home cooking for others elements of convenience are still influencing their choices.
The use of 'part homemade' products, such as cooking sauces and meal kits, has risen 3% in the last year as people seek a balance between cost and ease of preparation.
Harris said: "With the amount of food eaten in the home up by 3% since 2008 it is clear more people are opting to stay in and save money rather than dining out.
"As a result we have seen a decline in customers eating out in the last three years.
"People have become more money conscious and they have also been less experimental in their diets. Staple meals such as spaghetti bolognese, shepherd's pie and pizza have grown in popularity.
"You could even call it the comfort food effect."
www.fdin.org.uk
http://www.fdin.org.uk/2011/07/home-cooking-on-the-rise-says-analyst/
NATIONAL CUPCAKE CHAMPIONSHIP 2011 FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
July 28th, 2011
British Baker has announced the finalists in the third annual National Cupcake Championships 2011 ahead of the gala judging and awards event which takes place on Monday, August 15 at the ICA in London.
Fifty innovative craft bakeries, independent cake emporiums and High Street multiples will battle it out across six different categories for the ultimate prize - to be crowned National Cupcake Champion 2011.
They include the High Street brand Greggs; the 2009 champion Kevin Sibley from Mama's Cupcakes in Chesham who is shortlisted in the most innovative category; Rich Products who create cupcakes for Asda; and a contingent from the South East and South West.
The 2011 competition, which attracted more than 100 entries from professional bakers, is the first milestone in the run up to National Cupcake Week 2011 which takes place from September 12-18.
British Baker Deputy Editor Andrew Williams said:
"This year we've seen a notable shift away from some of the overly sweet entries of the past - a response no doubt to the changing consumers' palate and a shift away from the American style of cupcake that has dominated in recent years.
"Last year, the UK witnessed a boom in home-baked cupcakes, accounting for nearly a third of all cupcakes consumed, and helping to push cupcake consumption up by 52%.
"Bakers have had to raise their game and really innovate with flavour combinations - using tricks and skilled techniques that are hard to replicate at home - to make sure people keep buying cupcakes."
The winners will be decided and announced in London on August 15 by an expert judging panel which this year includes cake emporium owners, decoration specialist and celebrated bakers.
Among them are Eric Lanlard, Hummingbird owner Tarek Malouf, Food Network UK's "icing queen" Abigail Moule, Lily Vanilli and Peggy Porschen.
The finalists of the National Cupcake Championships 2011 are:
The Midlands
Cameo Cupcakes, Derby; Charmaine's Cupcakes, Tewkesbury; Classy Cupcakes, Nottingham; Crumbs Cupcakery, Huddersfield; Fatherson Bakery, Alcester, Warks; Frost & Snow, Birmingham; Kimmy Loves Cakes, Bewdley, Worcs; Lady Jayne's Cakes, Burton-upon-Trent; Rachel's Cupcakes, Wootton Wawen, Warks;
The North East
Eat Me Cupcakes, York; Greggs plc, Newcastle-upon-Tyne; Naginski Cupcakes, Middlesbrough; The Beehive Bakery, Wearfield, Sunderland;
The North West
Fantasweets Cupcake, Carlisle; Hey Little Cupcake, Manchester; The Little House of Cupcakes, Thornton, Lancs; The Penny Lane Bakery, Liverpool;
David Bennett, National Cupcake Champion 2010
Scotland
Bibi's Bakery, St Andrew's; Rosewood Cakes, Glasgow; Tea Loves Cake, Greenock;
The South West
April Bakery, Swindon; Beach House Bakery, Bristol; Cakeadoodledoo, Crediton, Devon; Clevercow Cakes, Bournemouth; Crazy Moose Bakery, Poole; Iced Gems of Swanage, Dorset; HoneyOrb Bakery, Basingstoke; Ice Maiden Cakes, Yeovil; Let them Eat Cake, Waterlooville;
London & the South East
Call me Cupcakes, Bishops Stortford; Cinnamon Square, Rickmansworth; Claire's Handmade Cakes, London; Cocktail Couture - CC Treats, London; Crazy Baker, London; Cuppa Cake Company, Knebworth; Delicakes, West Malling, Kent; House of Cakes by Helena Costa, London; Love Cakes London; Organic Delights, London; Mamma's Cupcakes, Cheshunt; Peggy's Cupcakes, London; Munch@Coughlans, Thornton Heath; Rich Products for Asda, Fareham; Sweet & Wicked Cupcakes, London; Sweet Things, London;
Wales
Absolute Treats, St Clear's Carmarthenshire; Little Suzi's Kitchen, Cathays, Cardiff; David Jenkins, Llanelli;
The finalists are shortlisted across six different categories, including:
· Best Decorated Cupcake of the Year
· Best Presented Cupcake of the Year
· Best Tasting Cupcake of the Year
· Most Innovative Cupcake of the Year
· Best Cupcake Crafted for Multiple Outlets
· Free-From Cupcake of the Year
· Cupcake Champion - the overall winner
The sponsors of National Cupcake Week 2011 are the UK's leading provider of sugar paste, Renshaw Napier; the Bristol packaging company Chevler; ingredients supplier Puratos; and the food and drink vocational qualifications organisation, FDQ.
National Cupcake Week 2011 is from September 12 to 18, when a range of special events and promotions take place in craft and High Street bakeries across the nation, alongside a series of special programmes on The Food Network.
British Baker has also teamed up for the first time with the leading children's cancer charity CLIC Sargent who will be asking bakers and cupcake lovers to help raise donations for their beneficiaries during National Cupcake Week itself.
www.fdin.org.uk
http://www.fdin.org.uk/2011/07/national-cupcake-championship-2011-finalists-announced/

HOME COOKING ON THE RISE SAY ANALYSTS

The number of home-cooked evening meals has risen by 12% in the past three years as consumers cut food costs, according to the latest research by Kantar Worldpanel.

Since 2008 an additional two million people have eaten homemade savoury foods, with pizza, stews and casseroles, and chilli the most popular dishes.

Men aged between 35 and 44 are the main reason for this growth, eating home cooked food on 64 million more occasions in the last year compared to 2008.

Jodie Harris, client manager at Kantar Worldpanel, said:

"The recession has really made consumers much more aware of the cost of food and it has helped spark a revival of home cooked meals.

"With the average cost of an evening meal for four people at approximately £6 it is clear why people are reaching for their aprons.

"Consumers are also keen to cut the amount of food that they waste. In the past 12 months 6.6 million meals included food that needed 'using up' - demonstrating that cash-strapped consumers are keen to get more mileage from their food."

While consumers have embraced home cooking for others elements of convenience are still influencing their choices.

The use of 'part homemade' products, such as cooking sauces and meal kits, has risen 3% in the last year as people seek a balance between cost and ease of preparation.

Harris said: "With the amount of food eaten in the home up by 3% since 2008 it is clear more people are opting to stay in and save money rather than dining out.

"As a result we have seen a decline in customers eating out in the last three years.

"People have become more money conscious and they have also been less experimental in their diets. Staple meals such as spaghetti bolognese, shepherd's pie and pizza have grown in popularity.

"You could even call it the comfort food effect."

www.fdin.org.uk

NATIONAL CUPCAKE CHAMPIONSHIP 2011 FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

British Baker has announced the finalists in the third annual National Cupcake Championships 2011 ahead of the gala judging and awards event which takes place on Monday, August 15 at the ICA in London.

Fifty innovative craft bakeries, independent cake emporiums and High Street multiples will battle it out across six different categories for the ultimate prize - to be crowned National Cupcake Champion 2011.

They include the High Street brand Greggs; the 2009 champion Kevin Sibley from Mama's Cupcakes in Chesham who is shortlisted in the most innovative category; Rich Products who create cupcakes for Asda; and a contingent from the South East and South West.

The 2011 competition, which attracted more than 100 entries from professional bakers, is the first milestone in the run up to National Cupcake Week 2011 which takes place from September 12-18.

British Baker Deputy Editor Andrew Williams said:

"This year we've seen a notable shift away from some of the overly sweet entries of the past - a response no doubt to the changing consumers' palate and a shift away from the American style of cupcake that has dominated in recent years.

"Last year, the UK witnessed a boom in home-baked cupcakes, accounting for nearly a third of all cupcakes consumed, and helping to push cupcake consumption up by 52%.

"Bakers have had to raise their game and really innovate with flavour combinations - using tricks and skilled techniques that are hard to replicate at home - to make sure people keep buying cupcakes."

The winners will be decided and announced in London on August 15 by an expert judging panel which this year includes cake emporium owners, decoration specialist and celebrated bakers.

Among them are Eric Lanlard, Hummingbird owner Tarek Malouf, Food Network UK's "icing queen" Abigail Moule, Lily Vanilli and Peggy Porschen.

The finalists of the National Cupcake Championships 2011 are:

The Midlands

Cameo Cupcakes, Derby; Charmaine's Cupcakes, Tewkesbury; Classy Cupcakes, Nottingham; Crumbs Cupcakery, Huddersfield; Fatherson Bakery, Alcester, Warks; Frost & Snow, Birmingham; Kimmy Loves Cakes, Bewdley, Worcs; Lady Jayne's Cakes, Burton-upon-Trent; Rachel's Cupcakes, Wootton Wawen, Warks;

The North East

Eat Me Cupcakes, York; Greggs plc, Newcastle-upon-Tyne; Naginski Cupcakes, Middlesbrough; The Beehive Bakery, Wearfield, Sunderland;

The North West

Fantasweets Cupcake, Carlisle; Hey Little Cupcake, Manchester; The Little House of Cupcakes, Thornton, Lancs; The Penny Lane Bakery, Liverpool;

David Bennett, National Cupcake Champion 2010

Scotland

Bibi's Bakery, St Andrew's; Rosewood Cakes, Glasgow; Tea Loves Cake, Greenock;

The South West

April Bakery, Swindon; Beach House Bakery, Bristol; Cakeadoodledoo, Crediton, Devon; Clevercow Cakes, Bournemouth; Crazy Moose Bakery, Poole; Iced Gems of Swanage, Dorset; HoneyOrb Bakery, Basingstoke; Ice Maiden Cakes, Yeovil; Let them Eat Cake, Waterlooville;

London & the South East

Call me Cupcakes, Bishops Stortford; Cinnamon Square, Rickmansworth; Claire's Handmade Cakes, London; Cocktail Couture - CC Treats, London; Crazy Baker, London; Cuppa Cake Company, Knebworth; Delicakes, West Malling, Kent; House of Cakes by Helena Costa, London; Love Cakes London; Organic Delights, London; Mamma's Cupcakes, Cheshunt; Peggy's Cupcakes, London; Munch@Coughlans, Thornton Heath; Rich Products for Asda, Fareham; Sweet & Wicked Cupcakes, London; Sweet Things, London;

Wales

Absolute Treats, St Clear's Carmarthenshire; Little Suzi's Kitchen, Cathays, Cardiff; David Jenkins, Llanelli;

The finalists are shortlisted across six different categories, including:

· Best Decorated Cupcake of the Year

· Best Presented Cupcake of the Year

· Best Tasting Cupcake of the Year

· Most Innovative Cupcake of the Year

· Best Cupcake Crafted for Multiple Outlets

· Free-From Cupcake of the Year

· Cupcake Champion - the overall winner

The sponsors of National Cupcake Week 2011 are the UK's leading provider of sugar paste, Renshaw Napier; the Bristol packaging company Chevler; ingredients supplier Puratos; and the food and drink vocational qualifications organisation, FDQ.

National Cupcake Week 2011 is from September 12 to 18, when a range of special events and promotions take place in craft and High Street bakeries across the nation, alongside a series of special programmes on The Food Network.

British Baker has also teamed up for the first time with the leading children's cancer charity CLIC Sargent who will be asking bakers and cupcake lovers to help raise donations for their beneficiaries during National Cupcake Week itself.

www.fdin.org.uk

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