Vivienne Dineen (second from left) from Ballyheigue with Cassie Stokes, Catherine Leyden and Gary Desmond, CEO Gala Retail.A BALLYHEIGUE woman is being celebrated this week after being named runner-up in Ireland’s Best Baker with Gala Retail.
Vivienne Dineen’s chocolate fudge brownies with butterscotch sauce secured her place among the competition’s top bakers, earning her the runner-up title and a €500 prize.
Organised by convenience retailer Gala Retail in partnership with Virgin Media Television, Ireland’s Best Baker celebrates home baking talent from communities across the country.
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The competition culminated in a live bake-off final at Airfield Estate in Dundrum, with finalists showcasing their signature bakes before a judging panel led by baking expert Catherine Leyden and TV presenter Cassie Stokes.
The final was filmed for broadcast on Ireland AM, giving contestants the opportunity to showcase their baking talents and personal stories to a national audience.
Reflecting on the experience, Vivienne said: “I had such a great experience taking part in Ireland’s Best Baker. It was brilliant to bake my chocolate fudge brownies live, hear the judges’ feedback, and have it all filmed for Ireland AM.
The standard was incredibly high, and it was so inspiring to be among such talented bakers. I loved every minute of it and am delighted to have been named runner-up.”
The overall Ireland’s Best Baker title was awarded to Vincent Kelly from Douglas, Co. Cork for his traditional brown bread, while Lucy Carroll from Moate, Co. Westmeath was named Junior Baker of the Year for her lemon drizzle cake.
This year’s Ireland’s Best Baker competition attracted hundreds of entries from across the country, with categories ranging from breads and traybakes to muffins, cupcakes and tarts.
