If you’re one of the millions of baking obsessives who settles down to watch Great British Bake Off every week, you might be looking for a way to share your passion with your fellow fans. And, what better way of doing just that than by hosting your own charity baking competition?

If you’re going to do your baking event justice, you need to hold it in its traditional surroundings - outdoors. This way, you can invite neighbouring businesses to take part, as well as get the public involved, ensuring your event earns your company some great exposure, too.

Unfortunately, you just can’t count on the Great British weather for your Great British Bake Off. Regardless of whether you plan to hold your bake off in the spring when the actual show is filmed, or the autumn when it typically airs, it’s best to play it safe and ensure your event will be able to go ahead, come rain or shine. To help you out, we’ve put together a few tips for hosting an outdoor charity bake off that’s sure to be a success!

Choosing Your Charity

Identifying your interests and passions is the first step in finding the right charity. Think about what matters to you and your community. Look for reputable organisations that align with those interests, and if possible, consider those with a strong track record of transparency and effectiveness. Websites like the Gov Charity Register can help you evaluate their reputation. If you want to make a direct impact in your community, don't overlook local charities that operate in your area.

Tips For Hosting A Bake Off Event

Make Sure You Have Enough Contestants

To host a successful bake off, you’ll need enough contestants to keep things interesting (and ensure there are enough baked treats to go around). So, before you officially start to organise your event, it’s a good idea to float the idea among your staff to ensure there’s enough interest in getting involved. As long as you don’t leave it too long after the most recent series was on TV, we don’t think you’ll have much trouble getting people excited!

Just remember that not everyone will be a baking aficionado, so be sure to give those with little expertise some gentle encouragement. Even if they make something simple like some flapjacks, chocolate crispy cakes, or cookies, it’s all about taking part to raise money for charity. So, let everyone know that they don’t have to create a showstopper to get involved.

If you have a small company, or are struggling to get enough people to bake, why not reach out to neighbouring businesses to see if they would like to join in on the fun? This way, you can share your love of baking while networking with new firms and strengthening your relationships with those working nearby.

Choose A Suitable Location

To drum up as much interest in your bake off as possible, you’ll need to find an outdoor location that’s in a prominent enough position to attract passers-by and workers from nearby businesses. You’ll also need to make sure that your chosen spot is easily accessible, so your contestants can transport their baked goods there without any issues, and grabbing extra supplies like plates, napkins, and cutlery is a breeze.

It’s also worth mentioning that, while planning an all-weather bake sale, you should have a back-up indoor space in mind that you can relocate to if required. It’s not ideal, but we all know the British weather has a tendency to take a turn for the worse, so it’s always a good idea to have a plan B just in case!

Invest In A Branded Set-Up

While the Great British Bake Off makes use of marquee tents in a wide-open field, you likely won’t have access to the same amount of space for your event. Instead, think about investing in some pop up gazebos that can easily fit in a more compact location. These will be easy to set up, as well as pack away and transport, so you won’t have to worry about assembling the tents on the day and can focus on running the best event possible.

You can also maximise the exposure your business gets from your bake off by making sure your company name and logo are front and centre. A printed gazebo will be perfect for ensuring this. Although your bake off might just be a one-off or annual event, you can make sure your gazebo is a worthwhile investment by using a versatile design. As long as you only add your branding and don’t include any bake off-specific elements, you’ll be able to take your new tent along to other events, such as trade shows or conferences.

Themed Decorations

Because a charity bake off can provide the perfect opportunity to promote your brand, you’ll want your event to make the best impression possible. So, alongside investing in a printed gazebo that displays your name and logo, it’s also worth exploring some of the different ways you can customise the space you create to show off your brand’s personality and commitment to the cause.

Of course, to really capture the Great British Bake Off spirit, you’ll need some personalised bunting and tablecloths to add those all-important traditional trimmings. And, to catch the eyes of as many people as possible, you may also wish to set up some advertising flags. And, again, if you design them well, these could all be great investments that you’ll be able to use for future events to spread the word about your work!

Furniture Choices

There are also some practicalities you’ll need to think about. For instance, it’s likely you’ll need to set up some folding tables and chairs in and around your gazebo, so your contestants and attendees have somewhere to sit and enjoy the tasty treats on offer. Make sure you look for those that are easy to collapse and pack away, so the clean-up is simple and they don’t take up much room when you have to take them back to your office afterwards.

Get The Word Out About Your Bake Off!

Be sure to promote your event to the local press or radio stations, and get in touch with anyone who sends out newsletters to the surrounding area. You can also use your social media accounts to shout about your bake off - just be sure to tag relevant accounts that might be interested in spreading the word further. It’s also a good idea to visit some neighbouring businesses in person to let them know about your plans and encourage them to come down and take part or just try out some of the baked goods that will be on offer.

News outlets, bloggers, and local social media promoters are always looking for feel-good stories they can share with their followers, so you shouldn’t have much trouble getting people to talk about your bake off. Plus, it will help to generate a lot of positive exposure for your business. Just make sure there will be enough sweet treats for everyone who turns up on the day so nobody leaves disappointed!

Post-Event Tips

Sending personalised thank you notes to participants, sponsors, volunteers, and attendees is a thoughtful gesture. Whether through email, letters, or social media, taking the time to thank everyone individually can create a lasting impression. Additionally, consider a public thank you in local media or on social platforms to recognize the collective effort.

Donating the Proceeds

First, calculate the total donation by tallying up all the funds raised, subtracting any necessary expenses. Arrange for the donation to be made to the chosen charity promptly. It's essential to provide transparency, so consider sharing the donation receipt or acknowledgment from the charity with your participants and supporters.

Evaluating Success

After the event, gather feedback through surveys or informal discussions with participants to understand what went well and what could be improved. Analyse the impact by looking at key metrics such as funds raised, audience reach, and community engagement. Documenting everything in a post-event report, including financial details and feedback, can be a valuable resource if you plan to host another event in the future.

Ready, Steady, Bake!

If you would like any help with creating printed gazebos and promotional accessories you need to ensure your event is a success, be sure to get in touch with us right away! And, for more inspiration, keep an eye on our blog for more business, event, and branding ideas.