Last weekend was the final Foodies of the year for me, and what a year of Foodies it has been. Baking for you Vegan and Gluten Free cakes, spending time with my Foodies family and meeting my cooking/baking idols.
Last weekend I was back to Tatton Park.. not quite the warm weather we had in July, in fact the total opposite- as cold as!
From the baking issues we faced in the summer with the extreme heat, I was looking forward to more normal temperatures for baking... although this didn't happen. The cold made for more temperamental baking...
Anyhow, I wanted to bring some festive spirit and flavour to my bake... I opted on a chocolate and ginger cake with brandy buttercream and a chocolate icing. All Gluten Free and easily adapted to make it vegan too! With the gorgeous new products from Food Thoughts too, it was an extra indulgent and boozy affair.
The crowds seemed to love the combination and texture.. so I hope to see the ones you make on your xmas tables ;-)
We had a great weekend in the Cake and Bake theatre. Returning family members including: Sarah (Hey Little Cupcake), Victoria Copley, the Baking Nanna and Rob Allen, Emily Leary and Jen (Room Forty). More importantly the one we couldn't do it without... the backbone to Foodies who brings the glamour and not forgetting the tasty bakes... Charly! We do love a Foodie reunion :-)
If you missed the weekend check out their pages for more xmas bake ideas, including salted caramel mince pies from Emily Leary, traditional mince pies from Jen- Room Forty, White choco and chestnut blondies and florentines by the amazing hostest with the mostest - Charly- AKA Restoration Cake.
Over the weekend I even had the chance for a quick escape... a chance to look around, do some xmas shopping and find new products. Hawkhead, whiskey smoked salts... AMAZING! With a variety of flavour combinations it was hard to choose so I had to buy a range. This is going to pimp up the xmas cooking with rosemary whiskey smoked salt.. ;-)
As well as the dinner I was thinking drink. So many lovely new and local gins to try- a favourite of mine a Scottish brand; Hills and Harbour. Not only was it a stunning bottle the taste was subtle and enjoyable, with or without tonic.
Along with the gin, syrup. Jefferys Tonic were selling a range of syrups to accompany the gin and tonic.. using flavours to pair perfectly with the gins... and now I consider myself a gin snob I had to buy some!
It really was a great show, the perfect end to my season of Foodies Festivals. Not only have I got to bake for you all and share new recipes you can all make simply, I have met people I love watching and have come back with new ideas and inspiration. I really hope you have enjoyed the festivals as much as me, and hopefully you will try and bake some of the recipes you have loved!