Univ Giving Day Bake Off 2025

Univ Bake Off 2025 Students and staff across the College came together for the Univ Bake Off on 18 November. The event was part of the run-up to Univ’s 2025 Giving Day, which will take place over 36 hours on 25 and 26 November.

The competition featured 18 entries across three categories: Oxmas, Free From and Chocolate.

A number of Univ students took part, making the most of the equipment that they had in their College accommodation. Whether borrowing bowls or improvising weighing scales, the competition highlighted the generosity of spirit and resourcefulness of the student participants.

All three categories benefited from a range of delicious entries. The chocolate category had the most contenders and included chocolate cheesecake bites, chocolate orange cakes, brownies and tiffin. There were also impressive festive designs within the Oxmas category, with chocolate surprise cake (featuring a tree inside), Univ gingerbread and mince pie houses, and an edible snowy landscape. One student also made Bibingka, a traditional Philippines Christmas bake made with glutinous rice and coconut milk, which was popular with those tasting the bakes.

The judging panel selected winners from each category and a Star Baker Award.

Preet Kaur’s Chocolate Cake

First year student Preet Kaur (2025, Classics) won the chocolate category with a chocolate masterpiece made up of two layers of chocolate cake featuring a decadent middle layer of chocolate brownie. The cake was brought together using chocolate buttercream and iced in chocolate ganache and piped buttercream swirls. The cake was served with fresh whipped cream to provide a contrast to the richness of the chocolate.

Lila Arezes’ chocolate orange cake

Lila Arezes, Head of Conferencing and Events, won the Oxmas category with a chocolate orange cake filled with a delicious home-made orange curd. The cake was iced and intricately decorated with a festive buttercream garland as well as skillfully hand-piped poinsettias, giving it an elegantly seasonal feel.

Caroline Olvier’s Sachertorte

Caroline Oliver, Stewardship and Alumni Coordinator, won the Free From category with a gluten-free Sachertorte, made with almond flour and carefully decorated with a chocolate glaze and the College crest.

Isla Henderson’s brownie trees

The Star Baker accolade went to Isla Henderson, a member of the Library team. Isla’s Christmas tree brownies impressed the judges for their texture and taste.

Once the judging had been completed, members of the College were able to taste as many of the different entries as they could manage before hearing a short introduction to Giving Day from Felice Nassar, Director of Development, Communications and Alumni Relations.

The Univ Giving Day Bake Off 2025 winners

With Univ’s Giving Day 2025 just around the corner, the event provided a timely opportunity for members of the College to come together to share their creativity, culinary skills, and celebrate the spirit of Univ.

To get involved with Univ Giving Day 2025, click here.