Royal Warrant-Holder Partridges launches the 7th World Chelsea Bun Awards and believe that the first Chelsea Bun was created in Chelsea 325 years ago in 1700. This year’s bake-off is being run in conjunction with the Hankyu Department Store in Osaka, Japan where the results will be announced during its renowned ‘British Fair’ in October.
The Awards include an Instagram competition and a live tasting event. Entry to both competitions is free, although participants are encouraged to make a donation to The Children’s Surgery Foundation and/or to The Felix Project. The live tasting competition will be held on Saturday 27th September in London and both competitions will be judged by Lady Frederick Windsor, the actress Sophie Winkleman, and the actress and cake expert Jane Asher, patrons of The Children’s Surgery Foundation. Other judges include John Shepherd, the owner of Partridges Fine Foods, Munther Haddad, the Chairman of The Children’s Surgery Foundation and Toto Dell’ Aringa, Chief Trainer at The Felix Project.
The Instagram Competition: Photographs of Chelsea Bun entries can be posted on Instagram using the hashtag #worldchelseabunawards and tagging @world.chelsea.bun.awards. Entries can also be submitted via the website. Entries must be received by 10am on Friday 26th September. There are two categories – Amateur and Professional Bakers and the winners of each will receive £100.
The ‘Live Tasting’ Competition takes place at Holy Trinity Church, Sloane Square, Chelsea on Saturday 27th September. Chelsea Buns need to be delivered to the Church between 10am – 12pm or they can be posted to Partridges of Kensington, 17-19 Gloucester Road, SW7 4PL to arrive by 10am. Entrants can compete in one of three categories: Under 18s, Adult or Professional Bakers. The winners of each category will receive bespoke Partridges Hampers and embroidered World Chelsea Bun Award aprons, donated by Initially London. There will also be £250 awarded to the Supreme World Chelsea Bun Awards Champion 2025.
Chelsea Buns will be judged on their taste/appearance, originality, creativity, sustainability and presentation. The winners will be announced at the Hankyu Department Store in Osaka, Japan during its ‘British Fair’ in mid-October, on the World Chelsea Bun Instagram account and on the competition website. For more information and to enter, visit www.worldchelseabunawards.com
John Shepherd, Owner and Managing Director of Partridges says…“The first Chelsea Bun was created around 1700 by Richard Hand close to Sloane Square, Chelsea. Richard, known as Captain Bun, ran The Old Chelsea Bun House which was famous for its Chelsea Buns and counted King George II, King George III and their families amongst its customers. We are delighted to hold the World Chelsea Bun Awards for the seventh year running and hope they will once again revive the baking of Chelsea Buns in the local area, and around the world, as well as raising funds and awareness for The Children’s Surgery Foundation and The Felix Project. To date, the World Chelsea Bun Awards has raised over £30,000 for the Children’s Surgery Foundation Beam Campaign.
As a judge of this year’s competition, I am very much looking forward to seeing the range and variety of traditional Chelsea Buns with a modern twist. We are hoping to receive entries from all over the country and all over the world and I expect that people will add popular local ingredients as well as ingredients which match their own dietary preferences and creative twists, resulting in a rich assortment of Chelsea Buns.”
Jane Asher says… “I’m so pleased that the Children’s Surgery Foundation is going to benefit once more from the exciting World Chelsea Bun Awards. I have the honour of being a judge for this very special competition, and I would urge anyone who enjoys baking to join in and have a go with their version of the famous, delicious treat. Not only will it be fun, but at the same time you will be helping to relieve the potential pain and distress experienced by children undergoing surgery. I do hope you will join us.”
