Jenny's Birthday Cakes!

Last Sunday it was my lovely friend Jenny's 30th birthday and I was very flattered when she asked me to bake a couple of my 'signature' cakes for her party! Lemon tart and carrot cake, which I think I must have baked about five times this month for various BBQ's and friends dinner parties!

We had a great time  chilling with friends' in the sunshine sipping cold wine with lots of laughter and fabulous food cooked mainly by her adoring husband, Ben.
Sweet summertime memories :-)

Lemon Tart

Jubilee & Olympic Greeting Cards - The Story Behind The Photos !

When I received an email from The Great British Greeting Card Company with the exciting opportunity to produce a photograph for the London Olympics 2012 and Golden Jubilee, I was thrilled and very daunted at the same time! The brief was sent to me and other photographers, but I was determined to get my image through the selection process! The email also mentioned it had to be themed as English afternoon tea and the Union Jack flag had to be displayed in the image - so it was a bit of a challenge!!

I didn't know where to start initially then as the ideas developed in my head I contacted two fabulous local bakers to see if they could help me out with the project.  I commissioned  Lisa Rossiter Kidd ( from

 Vanilla Rose Cakes) a couple of cupcakes using the Union Jack flag. I then asked Ryan Wilson, head Chef from Wellington College if he had any afternoon cakes I could use and he ended up giving  me a great selection to choose from! They both came to my rescue immediately with amazing creations.

Above is Lisa Rositer - Kidd from Vanilla Rose Cakes in the weekly Stall in Wokingham market.

Don't her cakes look delicious ?? !!

Then it was all  work at Le Petite Studio which  went on for nearly a week taking endless photographs, selecting and editing. Finally I posted a large selection of my best images and wished for the best! A couple of months later I received the email I had been hoping for from Nick at The Great British Card company saying they had selected two of my images!! I was so thrilled and so were Lisa and Ryan ! It is a great privilege to be part of such historical events here in Britain 2012 :-)

The Cards are on sale Nationwide or you can contact here to purchase Wholesale. 

Bellow is Ryan Wilson, Head chef From Wellington College and the amazing looking and delicious strawberry pavlovas he provided shown above.

Easter Treat : Chocolate & Hazelnut Meringue Cake

 Growing up, part of my family tradition  was to have a chocolate cake on Easter Sunday, usually made by  my mother whilst holidaying in the Pyrenees with friends and family. When I have the time I love baking, apart from the fact thatI find it very therapeutic, it also evokes certain memories with the aromas and flavours created . 

So this afternoon whilst feeling a little bit nostalgic I started looking for yummy recipes and inspiration. After sometime researching I came across this amazing recipe of a flourless, gluten free Chocolate and Hazelnut meringue cake, which I thought I'd share with you....  

The recipe comes from one of my daily Blog reads, Tartelette. Founded by the very talented French pastry chef Helene, now living in the US.  I recommend you visit her Blog and you'll be immediately inspired by her beautiful images and collection of delicious recipes, which are all gluten free...
For the Chocolate & Hazelnut Meringue Cake recipe click here.  Happy Easter ! :-)
*Images by Helene @ tartelette

Cupcakes For Tea?

As some of you might know by now I love the English tradition of an afternoon cup of tea and cake, although I think this is a more visual feast and a time to catch up with friends than anything else!

This week I was thrilled when I had a request from a client to shoot cupcakes; I've spent all weekend taking hundreds of images of these lovely cakes I bought from a very talented lady that makes them, Vanilla Rose Cakes- it has been a difficult task not to fall into the temptation to have one or two!!

Having finished my task we are off to see our afternoon Sunday movie, The King's Speech.

I hope your weekend is a good one so far :-)

Anyone for Tea and Cake ?

Having come from the cafe culture I have totally embraced the English tradition of 'tea and cake'.

It is a lovely afternoon treat that should be practiced more often in my opinion.

My great friend Mel introduced me to this lovely patisserie in London one winters' day .

Maison Bertaux is believed to be one of the oldest patisseries founded in 1870 in London. With its fabulous Parisian Kirsch style decor, a visual feast of cakes and great characters walking in and out of the store it was like being in the middle of a movie set waiting for Amelie to turn up.

We entered the store for what was meant to be a quick catch up in mid afternoon and left when it was dark and closing time; the last ones to leave! I have fond memories of that afternoon; people watching, conversing over a pot of tea and enjoying more than one cake I have to say!!If you are in London and fancy treating yourself to afternoon tea and cake this Autumn, why not try Maison Bertaux, unless you know of this place already :-)

Thank You Melly for that fab afternoon/evening !

Happy Easter

As I was looking for a recipe in my many cook books for a delicious Easter cake I came across this one from Rachel Allen's Bake book. I thought I might share it with you in case you might like to try it out...enjoy!