Mayo teen through to national junior baking finals

REGIONAL baking finals are taking place throughout Ireland this month as young baking enthusiasts compete to become Ireland’s National Junior Baking Champion in a competition held by Aldi and youth development organisation Foróige.

Jessalyn Jennings, age 13, from Brickens Foróige Club, and Jamie Mullen, age 15, from Foróige NYP Navan in Meath, took the two top places in Saturday’s competition held in Moate Community Secondary School, which puts them through to compete in the national finals taking place in the Aldi tent at this year’s National Ploughing Championships from September 17 to 19.

Thierty-two regional competitors are taking part in finals in Dublin, Cork, Sligo and Athlone, having already won their club, as well as their county, finals earlier in the year.

The young bakers have been tasked with creating the perfect chocolate fudge cake. The winner’s cake will be put on-sale nationwide in Aldi stores next year and they will receive a €1,000 cash prize to help them on their baking journey.