Ten courageous bakers in the department joined a friendly challenge to test their baking skills alongside the popular BBC reality TV show The Great British Bake Off. Each baker was given a week to make a bake that matched the theme of the latest aired episode.

Emma Graham organised the challenge and as a special surprise made commemorative wooden spoons which all of the contestants received at the last meeting, to remind them of the fun. Diane Harris was crowned Star Baker by vote for her steamed puddimgs (see Week 7), and was presented with a beautifully designed "Star Baker" apron created by Emma. "I was so surprised to be voted Star Baker because everybody's bakes were so beautiful and delicious, so I think it was really sheer luck," says Diane. "But I'm also very chuffed and will definitely be showing off my Star Baker apron at Christmas with pride."

If you are interested in joining the Bake Off next year then message Emma Graham at ejg49@cam.ac.uk. See the week-by-week bakes below.

Week 1 - Cake week

Spiced apple and caramel 'vertical' layer cake with caramel swiss meringue buttercream and homemade caramel on top by Jacqui Worster.

"Even though I bake, I'd never made a vertical layer cake, or caramel, or Swiss meringue buttercream before!"

Week 2 - Biscuit week

Homemade wagon wheels by Richard Shaw.

"I would never have thought to make a wagon wheel before but it was great! I made my own marshmallow and biscuits but I used shop-bought jam in the middle which I have not been allowed to forget!"

Week 3 - Bread week

Devonshire splits by Emma Graham.

"It's been really fun and we've attracted people from all areas of the department, and it's been nice to look forward to Monday morning tea break with them."

Week 4 - Chocolate week

Chocolate torte by Rachael Jefferies.

"When I actaully saw that I had chocolate week on Bake Off I was dreading it, but I am a bit of a chocoholic so I found a way!"

Week 5 - Pastry week

Homemade pastry with three different pie fillings, connected by a theme (Zixuan chose Christmas). From left to right: Mozarella and green grapes, strawberry cheesecake and strawberries, and chocolate by Zixuan Wang.

"Making them wasn't the most difficult part but bringing them all into the department was a challenge!"

Week 6 - Botanics week

This week required the cooks to infuse their bakes with botanical flavours: Cardamom and pistachio cake with rose water bavarois and a rose water meringe butter cream decorated with rose petals, by Jo Lockhart.

"I really challenged myself--it took all weekend and I was really fed up at the end!" (But we all thought the cake was beautiful and delicious!)

Week 7 - Dessert week

The star bake: Orange and ginger steamed puddings with orange and ginger sauce and homemade crème anglaise by Diane Harris.

"My husband was very happy that I got this week, as he loves steamed puddings and was 'forced' to taste my practice bakes."

Week 8 - Party week

Homemade sausage rolls by Nathan Pitt.

“I now have a far greater understanding of how complicated pastry can be.”

Week 9 - Patisserie week

Tarte au pomme by Lisa Masters.

"I really enjoyed eating everyone else's cakes."

Week 10 - the Finals!

Two different flavours of eclairs: pistachio and raspberry, and chocolate flavours, by Agata Marcyniuk.

"It wasn't too difficult making eclairs but they were very time consuming. But it was great fun."