ROWALLANE councillors Billy Walker and Terry Andrews rose to the occasion in their latest charity challenge last week.
The duo donned their pinnies in a cake making competition which raised £250 for the Killyleagh Youth -In project as they swapped the heat of the debating chamber for the heat of the kitchen.
The councillors, who have raised around £12,000 for charities and good causes, went head-to-head at the Killyleagh Bridge Centre to prove who was top dog in the kitchen.
And while there weren’t hundreds and thousands of people watching the eggs-citing challenge, there were still enough spectators to create a special atmosphere on the night as DUP man Walker and SDLP rival Andrews rolled up their sleeves and got stuck in to raise some dough for a very worthy cause.
And like any good competition, an expert panel of judges was required to oversee proceedings and to taste the completed sponge cakes, topped with fresh cream and strawberries.
Strangford DUP MP Jim Shannon was joined by the SDLP’s Brian Quinn on the judging panel which also included Paddy McComb from Killyleagh’s Hot Cross Bakery.
Both cakes went into the oven at the same time and with Billy and Terry nervously pacing the floor like expectant dads in a maternity ward, stopping briefly to peer at their creations, they had only one thing on their mind — who would win?
As the cakes came out and were allowed to cool, the duo added the fresh cream and strawberries before the judges got their chance to tuck in and deliver their verdict which almost resulted in a diplomatic incident.
Not knowing who baked which cake, Mr Shannon chose Terry’s as the best, while SDLP man Quinn voted for Billy’s. With baker Paddy McComb having the final say, he revealed he was impressed with both creations and could not judge one cake better than the other, with the charity challenge ending in an honourable draw.
Councillor Walker said he thoroughly enjoyed the challenge but admitted he has no plans to make a swift return to the kitchen any time soon.
“It was a good laugh and there was no skullduggery on the night. It was a fair and clean contest. We had to make sure we got our measurements right and while I was pleased with my cake, my forte is eating them, not baking them. From now on the closest I will get to a cake is when I am about to eat,” he said.
Billy added: “All good bakers rise to the occasion, it is the yeast they can do. My old flour Terry did well, but I still think my cake was the best. The judges declared the contest a draw and that’s how the cookie crumbled on the night.”
Councillors Andrews was also pleased with the draw and revealed he enjoyed the heat of the battle with his good friend.
“Billy and I have been friends for many years and while we belong to different parties, there is more that unites us than divides us. We have taken part in many charity challenges and I never thought we would end up in a kitchen to see who could bake the best cake,” he said.
Councillor Andrews added: “Last Friday night we did have our cake and eat it and it was great that we were able to raise a few hundred pounds for what is a very worthy cause. While the cakes were certainly not culinary masterpieces, they looked the part. I think we were both happy to settle for a draw, until our next charity challenge of course.”