Year 10 student, Lyla, has been named Overall National Winner of the Tunnock's Teacake Challenge 22/23! Her stunning creation was shortlisted for the over 14's category, she then went on to represent Dame Alice Owen's School and took first place! 

Organised by The Food Teacher's Centre, the Tunnock's Tea Cake Challenge is an annual, national competition aimed at Year 10 GCSE students to help practice and refine their food preparation and presentation skills by stying a plate using their own artistic creativity. 

The challenge is sponsored by Tunnocks and has been running for 5 consecutive years. 

This year, the theme was 'Patterns & Shapes' and the winners are voted for by food tech staff around the country. 

Lyla's take on a teacake used geometric design as well as gold paint. Of her work, Lyla said, "I transferred my D&T skills to Food and Nutrition by designing a repeat pattern of semi circles using 2D design. The geometric print of a half circle stems from my theme of ‘circles’. My inspiration of circles came from the round shape of the Tunnock Teacake itself, I wanted to be true to the brand, hence why I created a personalised design that was laser cut onto a template. I further enhanced the theme of circles by creating a textured semi circle by drizzling melted chocolate for a glossy and professional finish. The biscuit crumb and fruit were crowned around the Tunnock Teacake, still representing the shape of a circle."

Huge congratulations to Lyla - we hope she enjoys her winnings!