Warburtons, the UK’s largest bakery brand, is setting out to solve the great debate of whether brilliant bakers are born or ‘bread’. While families have passed down recipes, tips and tricks for generations, baking excellence is certainly not a given – some are naturally brilliant bakers, while others can’t help but produce a soggy bottom.
In celebration of its 150th year, Warburtons has teamed up with Living DNA, providers of one of the most detailed ancestry test in the world, to produce a limited-edition “Born to Bake?” DNA test, which explores whether being able to master the perfect loaf or whip together a light and airy sponge is pre-determined by our genetic make-up.
Digging into the science of baking, the expertly crafted test will analyse key genetic markers related to baking aptitude, including taste sensitivity, smell sensitivity, metabolism and handling, giving users a score out of 100 that indicates whether or not baking is in their blood. Anything over 57.5% indicates that they may well have it in their genes to be the next Mary Berry (celebrity status *not* guaranteed).
And according to an analysis of 10,000 UK residents powered by Living DNA, we’re a nation of great bakers with the average Brit scoring as high as 58%, with those from the South East of England scoring highest, and those from the Midlands at the bottom of the ranking.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, in a more detailed study of those that scored above the national average, 41% say they can bake something without a recipe, 59% consider themselves to be good at baking, and over 1 in 4 (26%) bake at least once a week.
Yet the data reveals there may be thousands of skilled bakers hiding in plain sight, with 9% of those who have baking ‘in their genes’ admitting that they’ve never baked before, and only 1% of them working as bakers in a professional capacity.
As celebrities go head-to-head in the famous white tent, elsewhere television presenter Matt Baker took on a Warburtons baker, competing in a series of challenges to prove whether or not ‘Baker’ is just a name. Will he rise to the occasion or fail to ‘prove’ himself? Watch here.
Matt Baker commented: “As a ‘Baker’ by name, I’d always secretly wondered if I had some natural talent in the kitchen. I had a fun day with Warburtons and Living DNA – it’s fascinating what our DNA can tell us! I’m eagerly awaiting my test results to see if I truly am ‘born to be a baker’, but facing off against an actual Warburtons baker was a challenge to say the least…!”
Jonathan Warburton added: “As we celebrate 150 years of baking for families, we wanted to do something special that gets the whole nation as excited about baking as we are. Digging into the science behind it to see whether it’s a skill you’re born with is a fun and unique way to celebrate our heritage. Baking is certainly a passion that’s been in our blood for five generations, whether it’s also genetically in our blood remains to be seen…”
The limited-edition “Born to Bake?” DNA kits are available now from www.livingdna.com/uk/kit/Baker, with the first x100 kits free of charge when you use the code BORNTOBAKE at checkout.
