Did you make it to the Cake & Bake Show in London last year? It was a sugarcraft frenzy! Beyond that there were stages full of amazing professional bakers teaching all sorts of wonderful recipes and tricks, and stalls selling incredible cakes, cupcakes, brownies, bread and everything you could need to make and decorate all of those and more.  I don’t think I even knew there were so many bakers on TV, to have them all under one roof was quite an incredible sight.  There was even room for little old me at the back to give a talk about chocolate.   Surprisingly well-attended given the celebrities on the other stages, it’s amazing the promise of free chocolate can do! ;-)
 
At the London show John Whaite had not yet been crowned winner of the 2012 Great British Bake Off, but he was there with the rest of the contestants signing autographs and patiently having his photo taken with fans.  This year he’ll be on stage, alongside all of the major stars from the London show, including Paul Hollywood, Eric Lanlard and Claire Clark and also joined by Stacie Stewart, Dan Lepard, Simon Rimmer, Andrew Nutter, Mich Turner, Peter Sidwell and many others!
 
Like in London there will be workshops where you can enjoy practical lessons or you can enter the competition tent and be mentored by the Great British Bake Off contestants in your own bake off challenge.  New features for the Manchester show include the 'Cake Catwalk' – a fashionista-themed cake competition, a giant gingerbread village, and ‘The Interview Stage’ – offering visitors the chance to quiz their favourite baking celebrities.
 
The Manchester show is on from 5^th-7^th April 2013, Manchester Central. Tickets are for sale at www.thecakeandbakeshow.co.uk  In advance: £14.50 adults, £12 concessions (OAPs and students), £7 children aged 5-12, free for under 5s; £20 two day ticket. On the door - £18 adults, £15 concessions, £10 children, free under 5s.
 
If it’s anything like the London show last year I recommend you get a ticket early!