A pastry chef from a little bakery in Trafford is set to compete on a spin-off of TV baking behemoth the Great British Bake Off this summer.
Jeffery Koo, the award-winning pastry chef behind A Little Sweet in Sale, will be rolling up his sleeves and donning his apron as he competes alongside other professionals in the 2022 edition of Bake Off: The Professionals.
A celebrity in Hong Kong, Jefferey has over 20 years of experience working as a pastry chef and chocolatier, and has established his own pastry brand in China as well as opening his first patisseries in Sale, Greater Manchester.
His enthusiasm for desserts is clear, and we expect that will shine through when he appears on the popular TV show later this year.
Image: A Little Sweet
The new series, starting on 24 May, will also feature pastry chefs Rob and Mirea of the historic Levens Hall in the Lake District and Boglarka and Krisztian of the Gloucestershire pastry kichen Jó Szerencsét, with Stacey Solomon joining former Bake Off contestant Liam Charles as the host for the 2022 season.
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As in previous years, chef pâtissier Benoit Blin and Executive Pastry Chef Cherish Finden will be judging this series of Bake Off: The Professionals.
Sharing the news on Instagram, Jeffrey Koo said that he was ‘honoured’ to take part in the show alongside his talented sister-in-law, Venus.
Having begun his career at just eighteen years old in a 5-star hotel kitchen, Jeffery is no stranger to the high-paced pressure a busy kitchen can bring.
With a string of awards already under his belt for his skills as a chocolatier, Jeffery boasts the titles of World Chocolate Master (Best Taste Award), as well as two silver awards in China’s fiercely competitive International Chocolate Master Competition and the Swiss Creation Chocolate Competition.
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The new season of Bake Off: The Professionals is set to air this week on Tuesday 24 May at 8pm on Channel 4.
To follow A Little Sweet on Instagram, click here.
Feature image – A Little Sweet
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Fresh warning issued about swimming in Salford Quays amid bank holiday heatwave
Daisy Jackson
A new warning has been issued reminding people of the dangers of swimming in Salford Quays – even with such warm weather.
Salford City Council issued a warning over the late May bank holiday weekend urging people to stay out of the water.
It comes just two weeks after two people were rescued from the water and rushed to hospital with hypothermia.
And last summer, tragedy struck in Salford Quays when 16-year-old Kalen Waugh – who was last seen struggling in the water while swimming with friends – was found dead in the water.
People are now being reminded that the warm weather doesn’t mean that bodies of water like rivers, lakes and reservoirs are warm enough to swim in.
Salford City Council said: “Even in a heatwave open water in Salford Quays, rivers, lakes and reservoirs is always cold.
“The risk of drowning through cold water shock is real. Please stay out of the water unless taking part in an organised activity and stay safe.”
The Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) says there are three stages that your body will go through if you experience cold water shock.
The first is a gasp for breath followed by rapid breathing (hyperventilation).
They then say: “At the same time as your breathing goes out of control, your blood pressure shoots up as your body tries to keep your blood warm by moving it towards the middle of your body (this is why you go pale when you’re cold).
“Once your breathing is back under control, this is your window to get out of the water before the further effects of cold water shock kick in.
“As your muscles cool, your strength, endurance and muscle control reduces to the point when you can’t swim any longer so can’t rescue yourself. The point at which you can’t swim any more is called ‘swim failure’, and if you haven’t got out of the water or managed to get hold of a buoyancy aid (like a lifejacket) by this time, you will drown.”
The RLSS issues the following advice if you do fall into cold water.
First, keep your mouth away from the water until you have your breathing back under control, you can do this by rolling onto your back and floating or paddling to stay at the surface.
Then, don’t waste any time and swim towards an exit before your muscles start to cool, or swim towards something that will help you to stay afloat whilst you are calling for help.
Finally, once you are out of the water re-warm yourself as soon as you can to avoid hypothermia.
Temperatures across Greater Manchester are set to hit highs of 22 degrees this week as we head into yet more days of sunshine and warm weather.
Featured image: Unsplash
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Manchester house goes on sale with life-sized ‘sex doll’ in pictures
Georgina Pellant
A two bedroom house has gone up for sale in Manchester, and the appearance of a surprise guest in its listing pictures has got the city talking.
The mid-terrace family home in Blackley looks completely normal at first, priced at a modest £160,000.
Completely normal, that is, until you spot the stiletto-wearing life-sized doll reclining in front of a bed underneath the stairs.
Wearing a fitted red dress with her legs akimbo, the lifelike doll has been spotted by eagle-eyed property hunters on the lookout for a bargain.
Reclining on what appears to be either a chaise lounge or a put-up bed in a ‘rest area’ under the stairs, the lifelike mannequin appears to be wearing fishnet stockings underneath her bodycon dress.
Image: Henstock Property Services
Image: Henstock Property Services
Accessorised with a wide-brimmed hat and teeteringly-high stilettos, the appearance of the doll in the listing photos has caught attention online and led some online to wonder whether she comes with the house.
Elsewhere, the property briefly comprises an entrance hallway, lounge, kitchen, two good-sized bedrooms, downstairs WC, shower room and modern conservatory.
It also boasts a decent-sized outdoor area with a paved terrace area overlooking a green park.
The property listing description reads: “Henstock Property Services are pleased to market this 2 bedroomed mid terraced family home set in this popular location within 3.5 miles of the City Centre.
“The living accommodation briefly comprises; entrance into hallway, lounge, downstairs WC and rest area, modern fitted, conservatory, 2 bedrooms and a shower room.”
Georgina Pellant -
23rd May 2022 
