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Plaudits for Bake Off star's biscuit tribute

Steve Adams/Assembly House The gingerbread model shows a Georgian-style house topped with snow and decorated Christmas trees and two igloos in its snowy front garden, laid out on a table inside The Assembly House.Steve Adams/Assembly House
The giant gingerbread house, modelled on The Assembly House in Norwich, has been made to scale

A giant gingerbread house made in tribute to a restaurateur has sparked an outpouring of plaudits.

Former Great British Bake Off contestant Kate Barmby spent three months recreating The Assembly House in Norwich to honour its chef-director and her mentor Richard Hughes, who died on 1 September after a long illness.

He helped Barmby with details for the illuminated biscuit building, featuring some of his favourite things including a Chopper bike, his electric guitar and '70s band Slade performing in a model of one of the house's igloos.

Barmby said it was a "privilege to have known Richard", with people describing the model on social media as a "magnificent creation" and "wonderful tribute".

Steve Adams/Assembly House Hand-painted iced biscuits of the members of Slade stand up in a sugar dome with lights on a wire surrounding them.Steve Adams/Assembly House
Seventies' rockers Slade are shown in an illuminated sugar dome, recreated to look like one of the venue's igloos

The sugar-laden scene features Christmas trees lining the house's snow-topped lawn, adorned with its well-known igloos and hand-painted gingerbread figures, including Hughes.

Barmby, a respiratory nurse at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, met the restaurateur - who also ran a cookery school and taught at a college hotel school - in 2016, after appearing on the TV baking contest.

The baker launched children's classes at his cookery school and made a range of cakes for the Theatre Street venue.

Chris Taylor Chef Richard Hughes, with swept back grey hair and a smile, stands at a counter and pours a white jug over a plated meal.Chris Taylor
Richard Hughes died aged 63 after suffering a long illness

"Being welcomed into his world was one of the greatest things that happened to me and I will always grateful for this," said Barmby.

"My gingerbread Assembly House is my tribute to the memory of a truly wonderful man.

"At a time when lots of people were after a bit of the Bake Off glow, Richard and [his wife] Stacia treated me with respect and kindness.

"Richard helped to put me back together at a time when I felt like I'd been chewed up a bit."

Kate Barmby on the Great British Bake Off set, smiling at the camera. She has brunette hair with a fringe and ponytail. She is wearing a blue top and a red cardigan, covered by a beige apron. In the background are kitchen utensils, a fridge, bunting and another contestant.
Kate Barmby competed in Great British Bake Off in 2016

The Assembly House said the creation marked a step in Barmby's return to health after suffering long Covid.

The diorama has notched up more than 1,000 likes on the Assembly House's Facebook page.

Steve Adams/Assembly House A close-up shot of the gingerbread model, which shows a Georgian-style house topped with snow and decorated Christmas trees and two igloos in its snowy front garden, laid out on a table inside The Assembly House and surrounded by chairs.Steve Adams/Assembly House
The gingerbread house took Kate Barmby three months to make

One person wrote on the page: "A wonderful display for a great man of Norfolk missed by so many and respected for his amazing character."

Another commented: "Just so beautiful and touching wow, wow, wow!"

Steve Adams/Assembly House An iced biscuit model of Richard Hughes holding his chef's hat aloft and carrying a red and white striped candy cane is placed outside the gingerbread house. An iced biscuit model of a male character wearing a king's purple velvet cape follows him.Steve Adams/Assembly House
An iced biscuit model of Richard Hughes holding his chef's hat aloft was placed outside the gingerbread house "where he belongs", according to his family

Barmby's gingerbread model will be on display to the public in the venue's grand hall, although may be moved to different areas during special functions.

It is due to remain on show until the start of January.

Steve Adams/Assembly House An iced biscuit model of a girl wearing a red hat with pigtails and a red scarf, coat and blue sleeves, laying on a white sugary surface.Steve Adams/Assembly House
Barmby was helped by several members of her family to craft the gingerbread house and its characters

Richard's wife Stacia Briggs, who is a director at The Assembly House together with step-daughter Stacey, said they had both been "absolutely blown away by this heartfelt gift and by Kate's hard work and incredible talent".

A public memorial to Hughes, who died after a four-year illness, is due to be held on 30 January.

Geograph/David Smith The Assembly House in Norwich, hotel and restaurant with tables and chairs outside frontGeograph/David Smith
The Assembly House is situated in Norwich city centre

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