BAKERS taking part in The Great British Bake Off are used to being set a difficult challenge by judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood.
But it is rare for them to be tasked with quite such a specific suggestion as that made in last week's edition of the hit BBC2 show.
Fans of the baking battle will no doubt have enjoyed co-presenter Mel Giedroyc's reference to Leatherhead Leisure Centre before she gave the show's 12 participants the go-ahead to begin their showstopper bake on the August 27 broadcast.
While listing possible options for shapes the competitors could craft their loaves into, the actress, writer and comedian – who was born in Epsom and grew up in Leatherhead – jokingly mentioned the council-run facility as a potential inspiration.
Her suggestion may not have been the most serious of challenges, but nonetheless the Advertiser decided to take it on and showcase some baked creations made in the image of the iconic sporting facility.
Responding to the call, Fetcham resident Geoff Havers crafted a masterful model with Madeira cake.
Mr Havers used to run a patisserie with his son in Reigate, and the pair worked together on the special replica of the leisure centre.
"I can't say I heard the reference on The Great British Bake Off, but I was very happy to have a go," he said.
Meanwhile, nine-year-old Isabelle Benson crafted a cake in the shape of the leisure centre's pool and soft play area, and will enjoy a term's worth of free swimming lessons in return.
The Bookham resident said: "Great British Bake Off is my favourite programme. I love baking."
Her mother Vlade added: "When she heard it on the programme she was so excited about it, so she was so pleased to have a chance to make something of her own. She had great fun making it too – I didn't help very much."
Taking a different approach to proceedings, 28-year-old Sadie Garcia crafted a pair of edible shuttlecocks, and received a month's free centre membership for her efforts.
She achieved this by placing a small cupcake on top of a larger cupcake, which in turn was placed on a digestive biscuit, before the whole structure was topped by a melted Starburst sweet.
Her father Clive Clark showed off her creation at the leisure centre, as the Unilever employee was unable to leave work to attend herself.
"She loves every bakery show," he said. "She certainly didn't miss the reference on last week's programme."
It's not the first time Mel has mentioned the centre on the show. The mother of two made a similar joke during the last series, also before a showstopper bake.
And in a 2005 interview, she nominated the leisure centre for demolition and replacement with "a new 21st-century version which I would rename the Mel Giedroyc Leatherhead Sporting Institute", adding, "the roller rink needs refurbishing and the snack machines are a disgrace".
This was before a £12 million refurbishment of the Hawk's Hill centre was undertaken in 2009.
Reflecting on the centre's new-found fame, manager Martin Pask said: "It was short notice this time but I think next year we'll have 20 cakes. Every time we get a mention in the Great British Bake Off we'll have another competition.
"Mel Giedroyc is welcome to come any time to see the building. It was very difficult to award prizes today. All the cakes are good."
