Leah Shutkever celebrates after completing the inaugural Bakewell Tart eating challenge in 25 minutes and 51 seconds, setting the first official time to beat.

Leah Conquers Giant Bakewell Tart

British competitive eater Leah Shutkever completed a giant Bakewell Tart eating challenge in 25 minutes and 51 seconds, setting the first official record ahead of National Bakewell Tart Day.

BAKEWELL, Derbyshire – A British competitive eater and multiple Guinness World Record holder has become the first person to complete a new Bakewell Tart eating challenge, setting the benchmark ahead of National Bakewell Tart Day.

Leah Shutkever travelled from Birmingham to The Bakewell Tart Shop in Bakewell to take on the inaugural challenge, which requires participants to eat an entire 12-slice Bakewell “Party” Tart within 45 minutes.

Although Shutkever holds more than 40 Guinness World Records for competitive eating, the challenge proved tougher than expected. During the attempt, she encouraged herself by saying, “What’s the problem? Just eat the cake!” before later admitting with a laugh, “The problem? I am up to here with cake.”

Despite the difficulty, she completed the giant tart in 25 minutes and 51 seconds, becoming the first person to finish the challenge and establishing the official time for future competitors to beat.

• Leah Shutkever became the first person to complete the new Bakewell Tart eating challenge.
• She finished the 12-slice giant tart in 25 minutes and 51 seconds.
• Participants have 45 minutes to complete the challenge.
• Successful challengers receive a Wall of Fame place, branded gifts and a refunded entry fee.
• The challenge launched ahead of National Bakewell Tart Day on 24 June.
• Even a multiple Guinness World Record holder found the challenge difficult.
• The challenge video attracted more than 70,000 views within 48 hours.
• Leah has a combined social media following of more than 3.5 million.
• The Bakewell Tart Shop welcomes around 100,000 visitors annually.
• The challenge is now open to the public.

Speaking after the event, Shutkever said: “I feel great, but that was a lot. If you do come in and give it a go, good luck!”

The challenge was filmed for Shutkever’s social media platforms and YouTube channel, where the video received more than 70,000 views within 48 hours of publication. She has a combined online following of more than 3.5 million across YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

The Bakewell Tart Shop introduced the challenge as part of its celebrations for National Bakewell Tart Day, observed annually on 24 June. Successful challengers receive a place on the shop’s Wall of Fame, a commemorative apron and water bottle, while the £50 entry fee is refunded upon completion.

Shop owner Duncan Kirk said the challenge was designed to celebrate one of Britain’s best-known traditional desserts while offering visitors a unique experience.

“Leah was the perfect person to launch the challenge,” he said. “Even with all her experience, there were moments when you could see how difficult it was becoming, which makes her achievement all the more impressive. She has now set the time to beat.”

The family-run Bakewell Tart Shop, located in the Derbyshire town where the famous dessert originated, attracts around 100,000 visitors each year and is believed to occupy the site where Bakewell Tarts were first produced commercially more than a century ago.

The challenge is now open to members of the public, with contestants attempting to beat Shutkever’s time of 25 minutes and 51 seconds.

To watch Leah attempt the challenge, go here: youtube.com/watch?v=9ows9GUZfyQ