tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6090510143380242502024-02-07T20:40:05.063-08:00TheboywhobakesI thought I'd have a go at being the male version of Julia Powell (Julia and Juliet) and do a blog about my cooking experiences.
Having recently been made redundant and now starting my own baking business I'm trying a to see what this new phase of life might bring.the cook and bottle washerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16696869814159690053noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609051014338024250.post-58811690360589044672010-05-19T23:51:00.000-07:002010-05-20T00:22:20.840-07:00Cupcake WorkshopWell, I have attended my first ever Cupcake workshop held at <a href="http://www.loafonline.co.uk/cookeryschool/cupcake-masterclass/">Loafonline</a>.<br /><br />The workshop was run between Tom (Loaf) and Mary & Dali (<a href="http://www.kissmecupcakes.co.uk/aboutus.html">Kiss Me Cupcakes</a>).<br /><br />The course was attended by six eager "cupcakers" and we were treated to a master class in making the best cake base (I still have to try them both, so cannot comment on which is the best) and then how to decorate them.<br /><br />The six delegates were paired off into one of the three workstations set up in Tom's kitchen, where we tried to follow the demo we had seen. It was far better than watching the top chefs working on TV, as you got to see the whole process rather than the "here's one I prepared earlier" routine.<br /><br />Once the cakes had cooled, Kiss Me Cupcakes went on to talk to us about icing and decorating the cakes we'd made.<br /><br />It was at this point that I felt slightly at a disadvantage due to my lack of "artistic" talent (hence my desire to attend a workshop on cupcakes!).<br /><br />We were shown how to flavour and colour the icing - I was very impressed with the colour paste, which seems so much easier and better than the usual food colouring I would have usually used. I was even more delighted to find out I'm not the only person who seem to have an ongoing war with Icing sugar and the mess it makes. <br /><br />After a few practices on icing the cakes (or more than a few in my case - thanks Dali for your patience), this is what I came home with:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhdpxMNrTPZK897ydQhck7yNPyymA-hHe39CrPU8sFweUI5viJI_Fn7WIFKpk_MHwEFMC5ExiOXd_Je0bbJ-uJOFbcTkHRvO-j4TwBRFXUf7vIUL28JNXFwuYBf6uuDwLb-63wzbBfUbw9/s1600/cupcakes1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhdpxMNrTPZK897ydQhck7yNPyymA-hHe39CrPU8sFweUI5viJI_Fn7WIFKpk_MHwEFMC5ExiOXd_Je0bbJ-uJOFbcTkHRvO-j4TwBRFXUf7vIUL28JNXFwuYBf6uuDwLb-63wzbBfUbw9/s320/cupcakes1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473246557930964514" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFCC5DV8PIReOgMVuYR6zm7yDk1hDkn1tIa8s04FTdGZJjTYYXaeZ6FkXvfXlI18umn-p0if1OnqsFBt5ONUzJnNdT4s7oiPH3OH1idAIawuFeX3VKK0dsfnEnGKQM8GnaCIgk-WAPJHh/s1600/cupcakes2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFCC5DV8PIReOgMVuYR6zm7yDk1hDkn1tIa8s04FTdGZJjTYYXaeZ6FkXvfXlI18umn-p0if1OnqsFBt5ONUzJnNdT4s7oiPH3OH1idAIawuFeX3VKK0dsfnEnGKQM8GnaCIgk-WAPJHh/s320/cupcakes2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473246818300121970" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-VCVpPXYV8ji4aePCNqW1o9TOhKmaxcVJSl2rA_S8S40PeD1cpsBh3cmwrP2_iOpsCDAExSDA4qPBhwJsARzvuUwYl7kxfj5PJBgXi-XRaMZvU_Ys2gbPudaRdMreP2Ax9fl8HVB5IwM/s1600/cupcakes3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-VCVpPXYV8ji4aePCNqW1o9TOhKmaxcVJSl2rA_S8S40PeD1cpsBh3cmwrP2_iOpsCDAExSDA4qPBhwJsARzvuUwYl7kxfj5PJBgXi-XRaMZvU_Ys2gbPudaRdMreP2Ax9fl8HVB5IwM/s320/cupcakes3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473249051607932514" /></a><br /><br />I am pleased how they turned out (especially if I compare them to any previous attempts!)<br /><br />The only problem I had after the workshop was that a various stages during the night I kept dreaming of icing cupcakes (of course these came out perfect!) and wondering whether I could try and turn my Canadian Carrot Cake & Chocolate Guinness Cakes into cupcakes - perhaps I'll have to have a go.the cook and bottle washerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16696869814159690053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609051014338024250.post-41750629478417653702010-04-15T08:58:00.000-07:002010-04-15T09:09:28.979-07:00More Children who cook.Well, I have to say that whilst the French & Flourless cake did not look as the picture should, it tasted very nice!<br /><br />Today is baking day three, and what did Isi & her friend choose to make today? They chose to make Oreo Truffles!<br /><br />A good choice as I have about 10 packets of Oreos in the boot of my car (don't ask!)<br /><br />I'm not sure that the truffles are as small as they should be (should have made 42, but made 17), so I think that they may be a little too sweet to eat in one go!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgeonL0nKV17m2RQFsh54nx413iBi9PHWUFgMsHNu206z1mQjddH5QPU0cdFRdrJJfB2DKMNWtChSIClplwVJ257hGioya5bFQPn6vvveBlF0UWCsUJmFPNANyavwAo4QXa0rfCNKGZc0/s1600/oreo+truffles.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgeonL0nKV17m2RQFsh54nx413iBi9PHWUFgMsHNu206z1mQjddH5QPU0cdFRdrJJfB2DKMNWtChSIClplwVJ257hGioya5bFQPn6vvveBlF0UWCsUJmFPNANyavwAo4QXa0rfCNKGZc0/s320/oreo+truffles.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460396575106927474" /></a><br />Tomorrow, Isi has no friend to play, but I wonder whether that will stop her from wanting to make some more cakes!the cook and bottle washerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16696869814159690053noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609051014338024250.post-15996099755305025392010-04-14T09:50:00.000-07:002010-04-14T10:07:27.266-07:00Children who cookI have two children, Toby aged 7 and Isi aged 10. During the second week of the this Easter holiday, Toby (who by the way is football crazy) has been on a football coaching course, whilst Isi, has had friends round.<br /><br />As you can tell, one of my loves is baking cakes, so its been great to see that Isi is also picking up the desire to bake.<br /><br />Yesterday, she had a friend round for the day, and the first this they wanted to do was bake. So they looked through the various cook books I've got and settled on Annie Bell's book - "gorgeous cakes". They nearly decided that Annie's Gin & Tonic minis would do, but finally decided that they would make Vanilla Cupcakes. What was wonderful was the confidence to not completely follow the recipe and mix and match the ingredients we had.<br /><br />So, what was the outcome?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixjgtsOykk5Ys_mB3uDaEI3r5HLeFokhux2a95Jr7QS3ZaRFb2qnQvTOtPl4-xlVS6hEG6puvPjUQuIxFYNgVydYw7RIKiGY9w1eoRhzOt11T5MJ7A2zjL5OA6SR-bZ_tqnRHlzSA-HqBH/s1600/isi+cup+cakes.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixjgtsOykk5Ys_mB3uDaEI3r5HLeFokhux2a95Jr7QS3ZaRFb2qnQvTOtPl4-xlVS6hEG6puvPjUQuIxFYNgVydYw7RIKiGY9w1eoRhzOt11T5MJ7A2zjL5OA6SR-bZ_tqnRHlzSA-HqBH/s320/isi+cup+cakes.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460038387901362946" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This is all that is left!!<br /><br />Today, she had another friend around, and baking was the first thing on the agenda! Again, Annie Bell's book stole the show, and "french and flourless" was chosen. Quite a big jump from yesterday's cupcakes. A cake that needed eggs separating, chocolate melting and eventually folding all together. <br /><br />Well, what was the out come? Isi and her friend have call it the chair cake!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LmIBt9yhyKN7TbQHpt-aYctjlAff9u43k1JbmMPbazYqKFUvr8Y-qg6eWY53oIyhKhFwkwBabg-JjUWYPBzF86wKUuZ2FSB11uYsrwzsal3TyqcIq_TPCZJD61SeG0EFH2LE9_vU45e9/s1600/chocolate+cake.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LmIBt9yhyKN7TbQHpt-aYctjlAff9u43k1JbmMPbazYqKFUvr8Y-qg6eWY53oIyhKhFwkwBabg-JjUWYPBzF86wKUuZ2FSB11uYsrwzsal3TyqcIq_TPCZJD61SeG0EFH2LE9_vU45e9/s320/chocolate+cake.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460039960609989586" /></a><br /><br />As to how it taste - well, I'll have to wait until later tonight to test it!<br /><br />Well, tomorrow is another day - what baking will take place? We'll have to wait and see.<br /><br />However, something is not quite right - why do I seem to get stuck with all the washing up!the cook and bottle washerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16696869814159690053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609051014338024250.post-64771339669435477702010-04-07T08:20:00.000-07:002010-04-07T09:03:59.230-07:00Charity Cakes and other things.Well, I am now out of the Charity Cake baking season (for now anyway). I’m not sure I have baked so many cakes over such a short space of time and have come to the conclusion that whilst I love baking and getting people’s reaction to my cakes, I’m not sure I’d like to bake at that tempo all the time!<br /><br />Everywhere I turned in the kitchen where either cakes waiting to be cooked, waiting for tins to become available, those cooling and others waiting for decorating.<br /><br />All this, with the air full of Icing Sugar - just one sniff required and your nose is filled with sugar!<br /><br />Out of the back of this event, I'm hoping that I may get into the Birmingham Evening Mail career section. I had a chat with a reporter who is interested with my change in circumstances and career. We'll see whether anything happens with that.<br /><br />I've been down in Kent visiting my parents and whilst there, Ruth (my wife) and I stayed at a lovely hotel with excellent food - <a href="http://www.wallettscourthotel.com/">Walletts Court Hotel</a>.<br /><br />We stayed there about 5 years ago and the food was super and it was just as good this time round.<br /><br />When my starter of Pan Fried Chicken Livers & Pomegranate was served, I tried to sneak out back to my hotel room to get a camera to photograph it, but Ruth wouldn't let me! The liver was very tender and tasted divine.<br /><br />I followed that with that with Fruit fed tenderloin of pork with roasted plum and apples, with a black pudding sauce. The presentation was excellent (you'll have to imagine it) and it tasted wonderful.<br /><br />the meal was finished off with Rhubarb (one of my most favourite foods). It was broken down into 3 separate pieces.<br /><br />1) A couple of pieces that had been roasted,<br />2) A Rhubarb mousse,<br />3) A Rhubarb sorbet.<br /><br />At first, I was quite disappointed - I tried each item on its own and was not impressed. However, when you put them all together, the taste was exceptional. The sweetness of the sorbet mixed with the tartness of the mousse, combined with the texture of the roasted rhubarb certainly worked. <br /><br />Over the weekend, we went to a couple of other foodie type places. I came across my first Meringue Cupcake. Not a cake base with meringue on top, but a meringue in a cupcake case. These were made by <a href="http://www.headintheclouds.uk.com/">Head in the Clouds.</a><br /><br />They were certainly a little more unusual than the usual cupcakes you see (sorry all you cupcake makers!).<br /><br />We also went to a place called <a href="http://www.brogdalecollections.co.uk/useful-links.html">Brogdale Farm.</a> A new farm shop, <a href="http://www.thebutcherofbrogdale.co.uk/index.shtml">The Butcher of Brogdale</a> had opened there. I got talking to the manager (as you do), thinking my cakes looked better than the ones they sell (as you do) and she asked whether I'd deliver there. Well, that would certainly be a new venture. <br /><br />To be honest, I've never really thought about delivery further than I can drive. The farm shop gets most of their cakes delivered from either Rochester or Sussex - I suppose the midlands is only a little bit further away!<br /><br />So if anyone has and suggests for good and cheap next day delivery systems, I'd be very interested.the cook and bottle washerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16696869814159690053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609051014338024250.post-5381016728225800682010-03-10T09:52:00.000-08:002010-03-10T13:58:45.396-08:00Update at lastWell, the last 3 months obviously goes to prove that I am not the most consistent blogger!<br /><br />The last part of December was pretty busy with Christmas fairs and individual orders to fulfill. I even had to buy my own fridge freezer to keep all the extra ingredients in.<br /><br />January was very quiet - dam the snow (people not getting out to the cafes) and new years resolutions (generally, I find these last until February!).<br /><br />During January, I received my new logo, developed and designed by <a href="http://wearehomegrown.com/">Homegrown Designs</a> who have done a great job. They also develop web sites etc, so I would certainly recommend them.<br /><br />Things have really picked up over the last couple of weeks - mainly with the two cafe's I provide cakes for. The cafe at <a href="http://www.pacificnurseries.co.uk/CoffeeShop.php">Pacific Nurseries</a> and <a href="http://www.simplydelicious-aldridge.co.uk/">Simply Delicious</a>.<br /><br />I am currently up to 2 to 3 cakes a week for Simply Delicious and 3 to 4 for Pacific Nurseries.<br /><br />In fact, Pacific Nurseries have opened a new farm shop called "<a href="http://www.pacificnurseries.co.uk/ThePantry.php">The Pantry</a>", who have agreed to buy some smaller versions of my cakes (6 inch).<br /><br />These go on sale this coming Saturday (13 March). Lets hope that these sell well and this turns into a regular order. Certainly, my cakes sell in a day at the cafe, so I have suggested that they put a sign up saying that my cakes are available to buy in The Pantry!<br /><br />Also during March I am supporting a <a href="http://braintumourtrust.co.uk/helping-us/groups/ben-sambrook-fund/">Brain Tumour Trust</a> with their cancer awareness month where the focus is on Tea Parties.<br /><br />I know Sharon Sambrook from the "school gate" have agreed to supply the cakes for a couple of her fund raising events. We running a coffee morning at school where my cakes will be sold and % of the sales will go to the charity. And then for the week of the 22nd March, Simply Delicious will be selling my cakes and for each sale, a % will also be donated to Sharon's charity. I have agreed to sell my cakes at a reduced cost to Simply Delicious to help fund this.<br /><br />I don't know about you, but I think that even as a small business it is important to support your people in your local community.<br /><br />Well, I shall try and blog a little more frequently over the coming months.the cook and bottle washerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16696869814159690053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609051014338024250.post-31125770426001527722009-12-03T22:50:00.000-08:002009-12-03T23:17:54.067-08:00Cakes Cakes and more CakesThis week has been pretty busy getting ready for the Deanery Christmas School fair on Saturday.<br /><br />I've decided to make some "trio" taster packs (4) which will contain three 4 inch cakes (1 Canadian Carrot, 1 Chocolate Guinness and 1 Chocolate Fruit Cake). In addition to that, I have made 8 x 4" Carrot cakes, 6 x 4" Chocolate Guinness Cakes, 4 x 4" Chocolate Fruit cakes and 4 slabs of Fridge cakes, which should end up into about 20 plus packs.<br /><br />If this goes OK, then I'll use the same format and numbers for the Christmas Fair I'm doing on the 12th December at Esporta in Lichfield.<br /><br />This week has also seen me engage a marketing company to create a "logo" and brand identity called "<a href="http://www.wearehomegrown.com/">we are homegrown</a>", as I'm rather "eclectic" in my branding.<br /><br />I am also the proud owner of some flyers to give out this Saturday, using some photo's taken by Kirsty Heaton. The flyer is simple (if not somewhat small - learn for next print, larger font!), but will do the trick.<br /><br /><em><strong>Picture used for flyer</strong></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRQoPbGVKN8j2G9MLBROGdZFRywtKzByFAgH2vrSM_keMdeO5ZKNz2en4WMkv3_1P-LbcKRGyxHr2knnevKTcrsVc-lgpavHd4avZhWoZHUA5sHURltp2DjrjqGZQsdLnq3M1zJglL8zX/s1600-h/Gavin+3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRQoPbGVKN8j2G9MLBROGdZFRywtKzByFAgH2vrSM_keMdeO5ZKNz2en4WMkv3_1P-LbcKRGyxHr2knnevKTcrsVc-lgpavHd4avZhWoZHUA5sHURltp2DjrjqGZQsdLnq3M1zJglL8zX/s200/Gavin+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411274026501392226" /></a><br /><br />This week has also seen me follow up some "cold calling" I did with two other cake outlets, which saw me give them a free cake. On Thursday, I went to these places again to see what they thought.<br /><br />It's great - I got an order for a Canadian Carrot and Chocolate Guinness cake, which may turn into a regular order. At the other outlet, the manager really like the chocolate fudge cake I made (said it was "orgasmic"!), so I think if nothing else, the manager may buy a cake for her Birthday! Hopefully, I'll know in the next few days whether they are interested in more cakes!the cook and bottle washerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16696869814159690053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609051014338024250.post-5091301689785254852009-11-25T04:35:00.000-08:002009-11-25T23:42:15.067-08:00Tobizzy2bake hits a Christmas fair<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg16b17LSIwVRzAtC7v1LJGSYPTgKkS3dudUpv0yeyYnSjTSDKj7LZ13wjP2En7uPVX6uHiRx-UwmMK4mpP2PU9jcNtFc8vZ7AzzrJW380LTbS9LMIFKGoyGkVivh4O8_wPJjb-G5OJX9G/s1600/IMG_2484.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg16b17LSIwVRzAtC7v1LJGSYPTgKkS3dudUpv0yeyYnSjTSDKj7LZ13wjP2En7uPVX6uHiRx-UwmMK4mpP2PU9jcNtFc8vZ7AzzrJW380LTbS9LMIFKGoyGkVivh4O8_wPJjb-G5OJX9G/s320/IMG_2484.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408019059891834258" /></a><br /><br />Well, I've gone and done my first Christmas fair. Having never had a stall at one of these events, I was a little nervous and particularly unsure about the amounts of cakes to make. It seems a little easier with cupcakes as people can by these individually or in multiples, whereas this doesn't tend to happen with the bigger cakes (especially when it's not being sold by the slice). <br /><br />However, rather than making lots of 23cm cakes, I decided to make a few 4 inch "tasters" of my Canadian Carrot, Guinness and Chocolate Fruit cakes along with packs of Chocolate & Ginger fridge cakes.<br /><br /><strong>4 inch Canadian Carrot cake</strong> (I know, it looks like a cupcake from this photo, but its not.)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPbiACWvzPGygZRrZtqFym1XC9nKZD3gEizfuMJOmScwPV69U52g27QryHxRfLITXMZkkagfXGbUCLrKEOixDEEjYMgTKiy7xEAyshWj2DozWFDikdOpRFi3ni8Q_YeB7rL4lNcpJxmvn/s1600/IMG_2481.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPbiACWvzPGygZRrZtqFym1XC9nKZD3gEizfuMJOmScwPV69U52g27QryHxRfLITXMZkkagfXGbUCLrKEOixDEEjYMgTKiy7xEAyshWj2DozWFDikdOpRFi3ni8Q_YeB7rL4lNcpJxmvn/s200/IMG_2481.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408308613665646482" /></a><br /><br />I borrowed some 4 inch cake tins and spent most of the week baking (oh how I really dislike lining tins!).<br /><br />As it was a last minute decision to attend the fair, I also had to investigate getting cake boxes (I only have 10 inch ones and thought the cakes might look a little lost!)so had to pay extra for next day delivery from RyePac to get some smaller window cake boxes and 4 inch cake boards. <br /><br />I also decided that I needed to add a sparkle to these cakes (it is Christmas after all!) so ordered some edible glitter from <a href="http://www.edible-glitter.co.uk ">www.edible-glitter.co.uk </a><a href="www.edible-glitter.co.uk "></a><br /><br />As the week leading up to the fair progressed, I was surrounded by more and more cakes and my kids where most put out that none were for them.<br /><br />In addition to the smaller cakes, I made three "demo" cakes, as my main aim was to get some interest in my bigger cakes which people could order, so here are some pictures of the cakes.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezWVCdSS6U3hAgEpkmATlOanMtyEdCU149aICAeIRFg1jlhVul0R8uNdf8pimi5yxSyS6Ub4EivImJmxuZrlKJHE5EXOOfhiInlAsSwG-OcWjSWg2as9E7W6DKMTQsVuCKsPdtzcVKO90/s1600/IMG_2485.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezWVCdSS6U3hAgEpkmATlOanMtyEdCU149aICAeIRFg1jlhVul0R8uNdf8pimi5yxSyS6Ub4EivImJmxuZrlKJHE5EXOOfhiInlAsSwG-OcWjSWg2as9E7W6DKMTQsVuCKsPdtzcVKO90/s200/IMG_2485.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408308133562092370" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRy5FcZ8_NYWJk_KJlt8ifyF_dYCCbXAUi4y5anwafRe1l62jmdyfwewSTdJcTlLNm6VbkIwoJJ2RBdcpzglf6FDVM79nDFNYY55TLLLqY-uAZ_aJsGRgSiUbsrXMppuXFhnOUytE2k77P/s1600/IMG_2486.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRy5FcZ8_NYWJk_KJlt8ifyF_dYCCbXAUi4y5anwafRe1l62jmdyfwewSTdJcTlLNm6VbkIwoJJ2RBdcpzglf6FDVM79nDFNYY55TLLLqY-uAZ_aJsGRgSiUbsrXMppuXFhnOUytE2k77P/s200/IMG_2486.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408308847168737826" /></a><br /><br />I now have this Christmas fair bug, as I'm doing another two, one on the 5th & 11th of December, so need to start thinking about baking and changing some of the things I did in the first one (win - learn - change).<br /><br />One thing that did go well, was to have some "tasters" for people to try. For these I used the Fridge Cake, and had little squares for people to try - this bought people to the stall and got them interested in the other types of cakes on offer, so i will certainly do that again and will consider making a cake specifically for that purpose.the cook and bottle washerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16696869814159690053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609051014338024250.post-49343943540883554992009-11-17T01:53:00.001-08:002009-11-17T02:14:59.932-08:00Un-naturally RedWell, I have had another go a my Red Velvet cake. This time, instead of using "natural" red food colouring, I used "Red" food colouring. <br /><br />It is amazing what a difference it makes - instead of a reddy brown looking cake, I got a bright red one.<br /><br />This one was sold, and I thought I'd copy the comments I got for it here.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqcXKITus5UD5uAcxX2uTXPC0hUiNeqHYVx1dEUYJ9KdqX8shOv8ThnlL_zYOPdL5N_vADUvG-cWjKCNWvTyEAet_zZ0wblHi1oznkVIxdU1mUUlXowtmibC8AXlYlXmE2_-qPmfCtqAs/s1600/red+velvet.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 310px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqcXKITus5UD5uAcxX2uTXPC0hUiNeqHYVx1dEUYJ9KdqX8shOv8ThnlL_zYOPdL5N_vADUvG-cWjKCNWvTyEAet_zZ0wblHi1oznkVIxdU1mUUlXowtmibC8AXlYlXmE2_-qPmfCtqAs/s320/red+velvet.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405011049883125506" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This Saturday sees me doing my first ever Christmas Fair, so I will blog about the lead up to this and the cakes I am doing later..........meanwhile, I need to make two cakes for Wednesday 18th November, so better get on with those now rather than blog about them.the cook and bottle washerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16696869814159690053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609051014338024250.post-90928665092735039032009-11-10T14:33:00.001-08:002009-11-10T14:42:33.513-08:00Christmas fair and self employedToday I made the decision to have a table at the local church Christmas fair. <br /><br />I now have to think hard and quickly about what to do! I'm pretty sure I will sell small pieces of my chocolate fridge cake - i have developed another version which is made with ginger nuts and has stemmed ginger and glace cherries in.<br /><br />I will also make a few display cakes and see if I can get any orders for these.<br /><br />I'm planning on getting a T-shirt done, that says "To busy to bake?" try "tobizzy2bake".<br /><br />It will look better on a T-shirt, I'm sure.<br /><br />Tomorrow, I'm going to a workshop to find out what I have to do as a self employed person. What documents do I need to retain, what can I can claim tax back on, all these things I really wanted to avoid.<br /><br />I will blog about that later.<br /><br />As well as all that I also have 3 cakes and 1 fridge cake to bake by the end of tomorrow. <br /><br />Sometimes I think back to having a 9-5 job and how easy it was........but not nearly as much fun!the cook and bottle washerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16696869814159690053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609051014338024250.post-77087646844150298362009-11-04T05:41:00.000-08:002009-11-05T14:08:49.755-08:00The Tipping pointWell, I've been thinking about this for some time. <br /><br />When does something you enjoy doing for fun or "pocket" money become more of a chore and a job?<br /><br />Don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying my baking and investigating new outlets and seeing how to develop "tobizzy2bake" (just had some business cards arrive- I'm very excited!), but don't see me baking 5 days a week.<br /><br />My week is divided into the following activities:<br /><br />- Baking cakes for Tobizzy2bake - perhaps this might mean between 5 to 8 cakes a week - would probably like to see this go up to nearer the 8 to 10, but not much more than that.<br />- Freelance insurance work (won't go in to the detail of what this involves here, but suffice it to say, this is the work that pays the bills!) <br />- I've decided I want to do some charity work, so have allocated 1 day a week (Thursday) to working in the local <a href="http://www.acorns.org.uk/Our_shops.asp">Acorns Hospice shop</a>. I really am enjoying this outlet of my time.<br /><br />One of the things that concerned me when I was made redundant was that after spending 20 years working in an office, how would I cope working at home? Well, I have had to re-work life and ensure I meet people - I most certainly couldn't stay at home all the time.<br /><br />So, with going "legit" with my baking business, I have got to ensure it does not become a chore or another job whilst ensuring that I take some time to develop it some more.<br /><br />That's the thoughts whilst I have been cooking today. Today I've delivered 2 Victoria sandwich sponges (here is a question for you - butter cream or fresh cream in the middle?) and have made chocolate fridge cake and in the process of making a Canadian Carrot cake.<br /><br />Here it is in the process of being cooked:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJfMtwL0mjrFi6FiPgZxqvOceiF0J38XeTzUf1XBp67QZwvWQpDKbg11e_Y1nBCpJrKDgA1fMPKIle4wbOOG6uJzyqnc-g9VaA0ftbqJ4B1iA052JczORaQzZMfEoLWQcllrJk-t-CWg-/s1600-h/IMG_2468.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJfMtwL0mjrFi6FiPgZxqvOceiF0J38XeTzUf1XBp67QZwvWQpDKbg11e_Y1nBCpJrKDgA1fMPKIle4wbOOG6uJzyqnc-g9VaA0ftbqJ4B1iA052JczORaQzZMfEoLWQcllrJk-t-CWg-/s320/IMG_2468.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400249019250295154" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The thing I haven't done is make cakes for photographing. I wonder whether the deli who is receiving this cake, will allow me to photograph it in situ? I can but ask?<br /><br />Finally, here are a couple of pictures of my Victoria Sandwich sponge (two layer version)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbvR9bte9uExTHUrrL2lmi38dvmjMHh6JvTjRNKYFkNxGDIwjxrucnE8C9kX1H4FqI7LYwQBbJ24x4jYmzeRFPHQks88mf13OREoIroeVmIV2nwFfChtnPrBOVtBEesv1_NRtcp91276T/s1600-h/IMG_2463.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbvR9bte9uExTHUrrL2lmi38dvmjMHh6JvTjRNKYFkNxGDIwjxrucnE8C9kX1H4FqI7LYwQBbJ24x4jYmzeRFPHQks88mf13OREoIroeVmIV2nwFfChtnPrBOVtBEesv1_NRtcp91276T/s320/IMG_2463.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400249441464733298" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVWEXVkaX4THhicZOuGySDrRTzKAaIA4xV5T_4_XxmyeKk4TOYO2HIfkGGpwbkgj3KN0viTZbY7BkL85ol-kdfWCokE62q5GLJp8BTi5trhgLgVmMgZZN1opGjQxSJWnd2cBYZ9T6BkMm/s1600-h/IMG_2460.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVWEXVkaX4THhicZOuGySDrRTzKAaIA4xV5T_4_XxmyeKk4TOYO2HIfkGGpwbkgj3KN0viTZbY7BkL85ol-kdfWCokE62q5GLJp8BTi5trhgLgVmMgZZN1opGjQxSJWnd2cBYZ9T6BkMm/s320/IMG_2460.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400249669366656034" /></a><br /><br />And Amy, I haven't forgotten about your offer!the cook and bottle washerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16696869814159690053noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609051014338024250.post-18192713239618480772009-11-02T05:55:00.000-08:002009-11-02T06:01:36.170-08:00Fridge CakeWell, I have had another go at the fridge cake - I know it tastes great (so my kids tell me!), but hopefully this one looks a little "prettier"!<br /><br />So, I thought I'd have a another go a taking some photographs of this cake.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKaz78H792tnQypzTGL4Jk_U2XoMss8iumrhQc7hZvOYQjpZeaFnC-KH9ERWY3ye7iUctUDKbi2M7ST56vut8DYUlUCTaT1CrbBEqY0YdEKDDwXF8DnfM_mK56HHqsRkZO2nHNs6wtEPut/s1600-h/IMG_2449.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKaz78H792tnQypzTGL4Jk_U2XoMss8iumrhQc7hZvOYQjpZeaFnC-KH9ERWY3ye7iUctUDKbi2M7ST56vut8DYUlUCTaT1CrbBEqY0YdEKDDwXF8DnfM_mK56HHqsRkZO2nHNs6wtEPut/s320/IMG_2449.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399505446754207154" /></a><br /><br />I think I need to find a plate or something that shows off the cakes better.the cook and bottle washerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16696869814159690053noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609051014338024250.post-7692445279227679672009-11-01T12:12:00.000-08:002009-11-01T12:18:59.819-08:00Oh no, what a disaster.....The bowl on our mixer has broken (obviously over use lol).<br /><br />I've had to order one via a Kenwood spares web site, and then pay a little extra for next day delivery (thanks Royal Mail for striking), so I can get the mixer back up and running asap.<br /><br />However, it hasn't tie my baking hands behind my back too much. I have still had a chance to make pumpkin pie for the first time. I even made my own pumpkin puree, rather than buying a tin of it.<br /><br />Again, another wonderful recipe from the Hummingbird bakery cookbook.the cook and bottle washerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16696869814159690053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609051014338024250.post-27874731499385435532009-10-28T10:43:00.001-07:002009-10-28T11:19:16.959-07:00An interesting dayWell, most of you won't know this, but I currently have a regular order for cakes at the local deli in Aldridge called <a href="www.simplydelicious-aldridge.co.uk">Simply Delicious</a>.<br /><br />I might provide them with a carrot cake or two, chocolate fudge cake, Victoria sponge cake or chocolate fridge cake.<br /><br />Today I asked how my chocolate fridge cake (from the Hummingbird bakery cookbook) went down. The answer was good, but they wondered whether I could make it look a little prettier.<br /><br />I thought fridge cake was supposed to be a little "rustic". <br /><br />I will now have to think of a way of making my fridge cake "pretty".the cook and bottle washerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16696869814159690053noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609051014338024250.post-79984182200970233932009-10-28T00:33:00.000-07:002009-10-28T00:44:45.020-07:00Keeping up with the bakersWell, one thing I have noticed - all bakers seem to take excellent photographs of their cakes.<br /><br />This is probably not one of my core skills - as you might be able to tell from the picture below (although I did think about stealing other peoples photos of cakes, but thought I'd rather do it myself), but we all have to start somewhere.<br /><br />I expect my kids will be delighted, as I'll obviously need to make extra cakes to cut up and photograph. They're always hoping a cake doesn't work out so well so they get to keep and eat it.<br /><br />Well, here's a couple of pictures of my Chocolate Guinness Cake taken before it gets delivered to the cafe who are buying it this morning.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJdKWu8qkpWsP29TVPd50nChfD7GU_Sab2N-R9mseqSYUPNHNT2BSXA14ySjneVnWtWhBhG7IVxwUj1CZZrUrFgimIMISs6eB5u86JfuCyL5d7sb_ny-Y-Q0P33WCpNP-U1pwS8txoZikS/s1600-h/IMG_2445.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJdKWu8qkpWsP29TVPd50nChfD7GU_Sab2N-R9mseqSYUPNHNT2BSXA14ySjneVnWtWhBhG7IVxwUj1CZZrUrFgimIMISs6eB5u86JfuCyL5d7sb_ny-Y-Q0P33WCpNP-U1pwS8txoZikS/s320/IMG_2445.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397552089558296610" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxHrx_a4HhtnkGyQzbm68EzvN0yFLII6DLDd3EnDRthr71zvaFrEQrnVYLgHkXb53HVr-mE3gqZ8F_C1DFXjaCK-yDHuybsQEGnW_T2-_4iHa1Vn5WoyjAIoIvtNMvp0s3NXER1L_ydY6M/s1600-h/IMG_2446.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxHrx_a4HhtnkGyQzbm68EzvN0yFLII6DLDd3EnDRthr71zvaFrEQrnVYLgHkXb53HVr-mE3gqZ8F_C1DFXjaCK-yDHuybsQEGnW_T2-_4iHa1Vn5WoyjAIoIvtNMvp0s3NXER1L_ydY6M/s320/IMG_2446.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397552385912158098" /></a><br /><br />All I need now is to make one and cut it open and take some more.........the cook and bottle washerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16696869814159690053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609051014338024250.post-77802665512414066542009-10-27T11:45:00.000-07:002009-10-27T11:50:56.320-07:00Why is my Red Velvet more chocolate than red?I've been baking today - 2 chocolate guinness cakes (lets hope the icing is more solid than last time) and 1 three layer red velvet cake.<br /><br />Again, the colour of this cake seems to be more brown, than red. You have to mix two bottles of red food colouring with coccoa powder. I reduced the amount of the coccoa, but still it seems more brown than red.<br /><br />I wonder whether there is a difference between the "natural" red food colouring compared to the artificial. It looks like the artifical food colour looks redder, so for the sake of a few "E's" I might stay with the artifical one (plus its cheaper!)<br /><br />Anyone one have any issues with making this cake?the cook and bottle washerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16696869814159690053noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609051014338024250.post-27350736533916229672009-10-26T13:29:00.000-07:002009-10-26T13:35:30.376-07:00Choosing what is for dinnerHow do you decide what to eat for tea (or dinner)? How easy it is to get into a routine of Fish Pie on Tuesdays, Spag bol on Wednesdays etc.<br /><br />I need to work out how to be creative with our daily menu, that doesn't mean spending all day preparing it and increasing the weekly food bill.<br /><br />Someone ought to create a menu generator - select all the meals you like (and can cook) and it then generates the weekly menu.the cook and bottle washerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16696869814159690053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609051014338024250.post-39899125838643045182009-10-24T09:37:00.000-07:002009-10-24T09:46:05.669-07:00Mother and daugther in the kitchenAs part of our new lifestyle at home, its been decided that I'll cook the meals during the week and my wife will cook at the weekends (she said she needed to keep her hand in, but I think its because she's lovely and wants to give me a break from cooking.)<br /><br />So, as I write my first blog post, I find that instead of cooking, I am watching my wife and daughter cook and prepare dinner for tonight and pudding for tomorrow (we're having friends round to eat with us).<br /><br />The pudding comes from a great book called "the hummingbird bakery cookbook", which has some great recipes in (a Red Velvet Cake which I've used), although, for tomorrow we having a great Lemon Meringue pie.<br /><br />Well, I think I'll go and help dry up - its the least I can do :)the cook and bottle washerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16696869814159690053noreply@blogger.com0