Cake News, TV and Events (2 Viewers)

Thanks to Nicola and Judith, we're back on with the meetings again this year, and luckily they asked Neil McGrath to start us off with an array of chocolatey treats. This chocolate tulip mousse dessert was just one of the products that Neil showed us how to re-create, and we also got to taste test a few items too. The tulip was made from white and dark chocolate, mousse, a dusting of cocoa powder and a white chocolate transfer disc. Neil demonstrated how to make white chocolate hearts with transfer sheets. This was the finished article and in keeping with a Valentine's day treat. He then made some Florentine chocolate bark with nuts and dried fruits. These were then cut into discs which can be used as gifts, a decorative...

So this was our final meeting of the year, and it didn't disappoint as Judith had our creative juices flowing by teaching us how to do some Iris Folding. Now, if like me, you've never heard of it, let alone done any, it's generally used for cards and crafts. However, for this meeting, we were taught how to re-create the design using modelling paste instead. Judith explained that the reason we used modelling paste was that in order to recreate the technique, the paste needed to be nearly as thin as actual paper. So after a bit of a slow start and working on what colour formation we were working to we finally got cracking. I sat with Nicola, Marion and Frances. We had such fun trying to remember which colour to use and how we were...

Look at this beautiful Geode Cake made by the lovely Saheda Lally. We were lucky enough to meet her at this month's BSG meeting, where she gave us a step-by-step demonstration showing us how to make our own. Saheda ran through a range of techniques advising us how to colour the crystals and then gave us some hints on tips on how to embellish our designs. She also cautioned us on the colour of geodes and advised that pinks and reds may give the wrong impression when placed on a cake. So it's much better to opt for colours such as purple, green or perhaps blue. Needless to say, the effect is beautiful and adds a stunning finish to any cake. As well as making the Geode cake, Saheda also brought a range of other cake decorations she...

I'm pleased to announce that the lovelies from the BSG North are hosting quite a few events over the next year, so I thought I would give you a sneak peek of what's coming up and where the events will be held. If you've ever attended any of the meetings, you'll know that the ladies who run them have a wealth of experience, have a passion for imparting their knowledge and can give you many hints and tips along the way. So if this sounds interesting to you, then be sure to check out the upcoming events. March 2023 Date: Friday 17 March - Sunday 19 March 2023 Event: Northern Skills School Venue: The Crooklands Hotel in Milnthorpe. Description: Ann Parker will be showing/making one of her stunning floral displays and Debbie Cox will...

Step right up, all you cake-and-bake lovers, because yes, you've guessed it, the leading Cake Baking and Decorating show is back. Not only that but this year, they have a brand new Bake International section to go along with it! Whoop, whoop! So if you fancy getting your cake on, then make sure you head to the NEC in Birmingham between 4 - 6 November. To give you a little insight into the event, Cake artists such as Emma Jayne, Karen Portaleo, Javier Azocar and Molly Coppini will be running some of the workshops across the weekend and Bake stars such as Chigs and Freya from GBBO, Jane Dunn from Jane's Patisserie, and Yolanda Gampp from How to Cake will be there too. As you can imagine, the event will be jam-packed with...

We were back at our BSG meeting over the weekend, and this time we made the Dinosaur that Julie Rogerson had taught us how to make at our previous meeting. I had the pleasure of sitting with Frances, Marion and Evelyn, who have a wealth of knowledge between them, and we chatted about things they had created over the past 40/50+ years. Nicola ran the meeting and was great fun showing us step-by-step how to recreate the dinosaur. Luckily I'd already made one for my daughter's birthday cake, so it was a pleasant surprise to discover that this time, we got to make it in green, yellow and purple instead of orange. We had lots of fun creating the dinosaur, and each and every one of them has its own personality. This is the one I made...

So we're now back after the summer break, and what a wonderful way to return to the BSG meetings than with a demo from Julie Rogerson! Julie has been making models for over ten years and has numerous accreditations under her belt. As well as being a fabulous tutor, she has also written her own book too. I was lucky enough to meet her at our last BSG meeting, where she came to give us a demo. These are just a few of the models that she makes, and she has a website online where you can go and learn from her. https://julierogerson.com/ She is a lovely lady who has patience and understanding and is happy to answer any questions you may have. We had so much fun watching her make this cute baby dinosaur and hope she returns again...

Yeah! I'm pleased to announce that GBBO will be back on our screens this evening at 8 pm sharp on Channel 4! (Albeit a few weeks later than usual, but who cares!) Paul, Prue, Matt and Noel are also back by popular demand, along with a host of new contestants. This year we have a bilingual student, a nuclear scientist, a supermarket cashier, a music teacher and an architectural assistant, to name but a few. So grab your brew put your feet up, and let the baking commence! On your marks, get set, bake! 👩‍🍳 Cake News, TV and Events

So I've been back to another meeting with the BSG, and this month we've had the opportunity to sit and watch a demonstration on how to make Spider Chrysanthemums with Lesley Dalton. The flower above was a replica of the Spider Chrysanthemums she showed us how to make on the day. Lesley was very helpful, took us step-by-step on how to make the flowers, and gave us advice and insight into her techniques along the way. Not only did she show us how to make them from start to finish, but she also encouraged us to make them in varying stages of bloom. For example, starting from just a bud straight through to a full flower. It was a very interesting and eventful meeting and one that I may have a go at, at some point. Below is a finished...

If you love to bake and fancy your hand at a baking competition, why not apply for the upcoming Magnolia Network Holiday Baking Competition. I mean, come on, who doesn't love Chip and Joanna! You'll have to be quick, though, because entries need to be submitted by the end of July! Oh, and there's not just one competition; there's two. For full details on how to apply, please follow the link below. Good luck and happy baking! 👩‍🍳 Apply: Now Casting: Magnolia's Silos Baking Competition | Joe Town Media

As any Jaffa Cake lover, you'll be pleased to hear that Frances Quinn has once again broken the largest Jaffa Cake record! This time the British Bake Off Winner paired up with Will McMath and the McVitie's team to beat her own world record, which she set in 2017. This year's Jaffa Cake weighed in at a whopping 80kg and took 11 hours to make. It's the equivalent of 6557 standard Jaffa Cakes and took 160 eggs, 15 kilograms of jelly and 8kg of dark chocolate to make the cake which was a massive 175cm in diameter! The Jaffa Cake was recreated to help celebrate 15 years of BGT and was given out to guests and crew at the semi-finals. Well done, Frances and McVitie's, for your new World Record!

We had the pleasure of receiving a demonstration by the lovely Pat Smith this month at our BSG meeting who was showing us how to make Edible Gladioli sprays like the one below. Pat took the time to carefully show us each stage of making the flowers and explained what tools we would need and the techniques we should use to recreate them in their various stages of bloom. It was amazing to see how realistic the flowers turned out and was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. It was a lovely afternoon, especially hearing about how Pat had set up her own group many years ago and how many ladies ventured far and wide to learn new skills. It's amazing to hear how traditions are still being passed on to the next generation and how many women...

So here we are back at our April BSG Meeting, and it didn't disappoint! This month we let our creativity do the talking and recreated this lovely Easter Lamb that Judith had prepared for us and demonstrated how to do. Not only is she cute, but she's made using a creme egg, so she was doubly keeping with the Easter theme. Firstly I was a tad worried because I didn't bring an egg with me, but Sheila, who I sat with, gave me her spare. I didn't actually need it, though, in the end, as Judith had plenty to go around. We had so much fun doing the different stages of this, and even though we didn't all get to finish them, I think you'll agree we've all put our individual spin on them. It was such a fun and informative workshop, and I'd...