Little Malice wrote:
> To my American mind, the term "bake off" means a baking contest.
> That seems like an odd thing to do at work. I'm not trying to be
> offensive or anything, just puzzled.

Hi Janie,

The Bake Off is designed to raise money for a charity we're supporting
at work. What happens is everyone who wants to, on a particular floor
of our organisation (not all floors are participating) can make their
favourite cake, slice or biscuit and bring it in to be judged by a
'secret panel'.

Everyone else can bring in bought baked goods but these can not be
judged. Each participant can present 2 nominations to the judges, in a
particular category, to go into on the judges plate. After it's all
judged all the products in the Bakeoff are put onto plates and they're
sold off to our floor for $2 each with the proceeds to go to our
charity. If there are leftover plates we invite other floors to come
and buy a plate.

How it started: An innovative and forward thinking management girl who
is also hugely competitive got into a fun fight with another girl from
a different department (on our floor) as to whom could bake the best
cake!

So the challenge began! They decided to have a 'bake-off' which really
means a cooking competition. I guess it is a bit unusual really, given
that our organisation is a very traditional, formal type of one one the
outside, but on the inside, we're all just feral! )

It's going to be on next week and I'm supposed to be having the day off
due to TOIL (time off in lieu) but I'm feeling tempted now to go to
work on that day just so i can participate in this bake off!
(competitive spirt is inflaming us all!)

It's a great way to fundraise, build community spirt within our
organisation and have a bit of fun!

I think if i do enter it...I'll bake the carrot cake i was talking
about...with the cream cheese frosting. Our Education Unit are all
feeling a bit threatened by it all..it's really funny. I think that's
because we're the warm fuzzy group.

But interesting to see the Business unit is more into it...because
they're the cold, calculating lot! My bets are on the girl who started
it to win it. She's VERY competitive!!!

And oh yeah, apparently the baking doesn't have to be our own..it can
be a friend who bakes it or a familiy member..it just has to be home
baked and not store bought.

Leaves it wide open really doesn't it...

Temily