The Alan Dale Grand Bake-Off Challenge 2008

[*Bob*]

Can you rise to the challenge?

This year, our very own Alan Dale, The Camberwell Curmudgeon, will be judging entries for the coveted award of Best Home-Made Loaf 2008.

Entries must be photographed on top of your machine for the purposes of scale.

So.. without further adough, weighing-in at 400g.. here is my entry.

Your statutory rights are not affected. The management reserves the right to change the rules or lose interest at any point. Smart casual dress only please. The top of your loaf could go down as well as up. Alan Dale? is a trademark.

[Jah Lush]

For those who like to loaf, we salute you.

[Asset]

popping one in the machine now, back in 3hrs 34 mins with the result.

[Alan Dale]

removed

[Annasfield]

Oh *Bob*, you do make me laugh. This is odd though ::o :))

[*Bob*]

Anyone can shove some malty-flour-with-bits into their machine and retrieve a compact brick a few hours later.

But the perfect white loaf is the true test. The Baker's Test.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Typical ED middle class competition.

What's wrong with kneading by hand for 4 hours, proving for three days, taking it to the local bakers to cook, and buttering and slicing the finished article across the breast?

[david_carnell]

I don't think it counts if you use a machine. Surely Daddy Dale would decree that all loaves must be hand-kneaded for true prowess in the bakers' art.

[Alan Dale]

removed

[Asset]

Here's our offering and FYI we were just about to make one anyway!

[Jah Lush]

A very splendid effort there for Asset. Looking very tasty too. If you're gonna make a sandwich, can I have a tuna fish, sweetcorn and mayonaise please? Looking at that has made me a little peckish.

[*Bob*]

In the spirit of fair play - and not wishing to influence the judge in any way - I shall refrain from commenting on that sorry excuse for a loaf.

[Jah Lush]

Oh come on *Bob* use yer loaf, that's a bit unfair.

[mlteenie]

Sorry *Bob*, but Asset's DOES look better. Can we organise a tasting method?

[mockney piers]

*Bob* set your white balance to cloudy and it'll make your bread look a lot more appetising. It's a bit on the blue side at the moment, and food should never be blue (good steak and smarties aside)

[lozzyloz]

Asset is that a pre 1990 mobile phone or a small farmhouse loaf?

[mlteenie]

cheeky bugger, state of the art that is! and so's the phone.

[lozzyloz]

Well it does look more loaf like and appetising than *Bob*'s 'It fell from outer space Boule'.

[*Bob*]

Well excuse me, but this bake-off is being judged by Alan Dale, master baker extraordinaire - not the hoi polloi.

No doubt he has noted the sunken, wrinkly appearance of Asset's brick and compared and contrasted with my 'small footprint, high-rise' light and fluffy number. Indeed, it rose so high it almost popped the lid of the bread machine.

No doubt the competition will hot-up over the weekend. Maybe.

[lozzyloz]

I was seriously considering buying a Panasonic WX255-GTI after reading about bread making on a previous thread. After seeing the efforts above, which bear no resemblance to a proper Louisa style Kingsmill or Sunblest loaf, I don't think I will.

Why Alan *Bob*? How often does he Master Bake?

[SteveT]

I would participate with my home made bread but sadly I do not have the technological know how of getting photos on here, I have only just discovered how to get a smiley face stuck on :) see

[*Bob*]

lozzyloz Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Why Alan *Bob*? How often does he Master Bake?

Alan's much-trumpeted work on a YTS placement in the bakery of Sainsbury's (Cleethorpes) speaks for itself.

[lozzyloz]

I'm not the competitive type but here's one I baked earlier.

Note the aesthetic shape and consistent golden crust (Honda Fireblade CBR1000RR in background for sense of scale).

[*Bob*]

Lozzy, I'm terribly disappointed in your common or garden offering.

And I don't like the look of the loaf either.

[lozzyloz]

Reading between the lines I suspect you really mean that you're feeling pretty blown away by the high quality Uncle Fred on show versus your WI offering.

Besides, as you stated earlier only Alan the Master Baker can be the true judge.

Here's my latest effort. A gluten free organic, multi-grain granary.