CARE centre residents have shown their culinary talents after winning first prize in a charity bake-off contest.

Organised by FaNs (Friends and Neighbours) Essex, residents of three separate care homes last week competed for the coveted title of Tendring Bake Off Winner 2018, with Edensor Care Centre of Orwell Road, Clacton claiming victory.

Using ingredients donated by Tesco in Clacton, Edensor’s head chef Victor Albescu led his team of six residents to victory on Friday, with a showcase sponge bake depicting the Clacton seaside scene.

Three Clacton homes – Edensor, St Marks and Five Stacks - took part in the event set up by FaNs, a small charity which supports care homes in creating new relationships with their communities, groups and individuals.

Residents were encouraged to get involved in all stages of the bake, and their creations were judged by the FaNs team, who considered taste, texture and appearance before declaring Edensor’s entry the winner.

Victor Albescu said: “We are so proud to be declared winners – it was a fantastic opportunity for our residents to enjoy baking again, some for the first time in years, and the sense of achievement in creating their cake was just amazing to see.”

Each home were given a day to create their cake before bringing it along to Edensor for the judging.

Edensor co-ordinator Vikki Whale said: “We’re delighted to see the residents all coming together from across the district for such a wonderful event.

“I’m sure the residents of our friends at Five Stacks and St Marks had just as much fun as Edensor residents. It’s also a great opportunity for residents get out and about and back into their communities, to meet new people, make new friends and, ultimately, enjoy eating some cake.”

Les Nicoll, project Manager of FaNs said: “The Bake Off is a great community project that FaNs is proud to be part of, and we’re looking forward to seeing this and many other great community events in Tendring.”