Catalyst’s Charity Bake Off in aid of Julia’s House

 Our annual charity bake off returned for 2026, in support of our charity of the year, Julia’s House. The team were highly creative with their homemade bakes and did not disappoint!

The first week set the bar impressively high. Evelyn bought in delicious Biscoff chocolate balls and apple crumble muffins served with custard, while Jake presented a stunning Victoria sponge cake decorated with delicate fondant bees.

Week 2 brought another round of impressive entries. Kate arrived with a fantastic coffee cake topped with mini eggs, perfectly timed for the Easter season. Fiona took on the challenge of a technically demanding Battenberg, producing a brilliant bake that showcased real skill. Ollie Jenkins completed the lineup with a batch of caramel coconut cakes that went down extremely well with the team.

Week 3, our final week, delivered an incredible finish to the 2026 Catalyst Bake Off, with Anna, Gareth, and Jack (with a stunning bake made by his wife) all bringing in show‑stopping creations. Anna impressed with an Oreo‑crumb base cheesecake, topped with pistachio crème and a rich chocolate ganache. Gareth arrived with a beautifully presented white and milk chocolate cheesecake decorated with Maltesers and chocolate rabbits. Jack’s entry was a spectacular chocolate and raspberry gâteau that looked every bit as good as it tasted.

With these three final entries, we wrapped up this year’s competition and, as always, there can only be one winner. The champion was decided by a vote from everyone in the office, choosing the bake they enjoyed the most. And the baker who came out on top was Gareth with his white and milk chocolate cheesecake.

The total raised for Julia’s House from the 2026 Catalyst Bake Off was an amazing £187.85.

A huge thank you to all our bakers for their creativity, effort, and enthusiasm and to everyone who donated, tasted, scored, and joined in the fun. 🐝💛