Her late husband starred in The Great British Bake Off – now Louise Troyano is cooking up something special.
The art worker is going on a trek in Iceland organised by East Cheshire Hospice.
The three-day trip in November 2024 coincides with what would have been the couple’s 19th wedding anniversary.
Luis and Louise on their wedding day in 2005.
Louise said: “I’m doing something that creates a new memory of that day. I always try to do something new on the days you’re supposed to be sad on.”
She has happy memories of how husband Luis was treated at the Hospice where he spent several weeks in the autumn of 2020.
The graphic designer died of oesophageal cancer aged 49, five years after he finished runner-up in the hit BBC show presented by Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins.
Luis on The Great British Bake Off.
Judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood were dazzled by Luis’ delicious chocolate mousse and tropical Manchester tart.
Louise said: “Luis was excited to be on a show he watched religiously. He was the star baker for bread week and was good at making bread. To be fair, he was good at everything.
“He did all the cooking at home and made birthday cakes for everyone. Since he died, I’ve had to learn to cook for myself.
“He left me a note and one of the things he told me was to travel. We went on lots of holidays and Iceland is on my bucket list.
The Troyanos on holiday.
“When the Hospice trip popped up, I thought it’s ticking that box and helping the Hospice.”
“Luis died in October 2020 during Covid when we had to wear masks so it was weird. The Hospice staff were lovely, but I can’t remember all the names of the nurses now.
“It’s really sad and I feel bad because I probably wouldn’t be able to recognise them because they needed to be in masks.
“The staff were great. All of them. They were really nice and I knew the late chaplain Margaret, who was wonderful.”
Luis and Louise on their travels.
Louise is preparing for her Iceland adventure by carrying a rucksack full of recipe books.
She said: “I love walking and will need to carry water so am getting used to the weight.”
She works at the advertising agency McCann Manchester and in the admissions hut at Lyme Park entrance.
Louise and McCann colleagues are organising a bake off in Luis’ memory raising funds for the Hospice.
* To sponsor her visit justgiving.com/fundraising/louise-troyano
Back to all newsThank you so much for choosing to support East Cheshire Hospice. You may never know how much your gift means, but we know that it will make the world of difference to our patients and their families.
