A Coventry woman has won a baking competition with an incredible cat-inspired creation.
Jay Urquhart-Pettifer landed first place in Cats Protection's Pawsone Baking Challenge with a cake made to look just like balls of wool and little felines based on cats she has owned through the years.
The competition was judged by Great British Bake Off finalist Kim-Joy, who praised Jay's cake, saying it would "bring a smile to anyone’s face".
Jay said: “I’m so glad Kim-Joy liked my ball of wool showstopper and it’s given me extra confidence in my baking.
“This cake shows all of the cats I’ve owned in my life, including my current black-and-white feline Izzy, and I went for very bright colours to give it the fun element!"
Kim-Joy, who has two cats called Inki and Mochi, was full of praise for Jay's vegan Victoria sponge cake.
She said: “It was a tough choice picking a winner but I have to say I’ve never seen a ball of wool cake before! I love the way the cats have their own personalities, especially the orange cat playing with the string. It would bring a smile to anyone’s face.”
Professional baker Kim-Joy, who was a runner-up on the 2018 series of Bake Off, also judged the junior competition for those aged 18 and under, which was won by 16-year-old Isobel Davies from Croydon.
Both Jay and Isobel have won a signed copy of Kim-Joy’s Baking with Kim-Joy book while the competition raised more than £1,600 to help Cats Protection look after and rehome unwanted cats.
“We’d like to say a very big thank you to everyone who sent in their bakes,” said Zoe Thompson from Cats Protection’s events team. “The funds raised will help us guarantee brighter futures for many needy cats.
“If anyone is inspired by these bakes, then why not register to host your own afternoon tea to help unwanted cats? Please visit www.pawsometea.org to find out more.”
