Martin Hargreaves, who works for Greenhalghs Craft Bakeries in Bolton, has been crowned National Cupcake Champion 2013. Martin received his title from Britains queen of baking, the food writer and presenter Mary Berry at Cake International in Birmingham last weekend. The pastry chef overcame competition from 47 other professional bakers to take the title for his classic Lemon and Lime Cupcake.
Martin trained as a pastry chef at Stanley House in Blackburn and under the chef Paul Heathcote before joining Greenhalghs. His winning cupcake is a twist on the classic lemon meringue pie. He said: Its my own recipe which I have developed, based on a lemon meringue pie, and incorporating the lime. I love developing cakes and desserts. I have also just qualified to be a teacher and I want to teach food.
Judging the finals live at Cake International, the sugarcraft, decorating and baking show, were Great British Bake off winner John Whaite, Royal Wedding Cake maker Fiona Cairns, Gerhard Jenne founder of Konditor & Cook, award winning pastry chef Will Torrent, British Baker editor Martyn Leek and sponsors John Young from Secret Ingredients and Neil Davey from BFP Wholesale.
Greenhalghs has 62 shops across the North West - look on the website for your nearest one.