I am very excited about the first Cake & Bake Show, which will be held at London’s Earl’s Court in just over two weeks time on the 22nd and 23rd September. This evening I went along to the Peggy Porschen Academy for a sneak peek and preview of some of the highlights of the show.
Firstly Peggy started with making some marzipan roses, making it look effortlessly easy. My attempt on the right alongside Peggy’s rose, is more garage forecourt than Chelsea, but I was quite pleased with it, and Peggy did use it on one of her beautiful cupcakes. This is a skill which I want to master, and I am resolved to practise.
Next was a speedy macaron masterclass with Edd Kimber, the Boy Who Bakes, and winner of the first series of The Great British Bake Off. Edd always uses the Italian (boiling sugar syrup) method for his macarons as he feels it is more reliable and gives better results. Piping practise followed, some of us more skilled than others, a useful trick is to use a template under the parchment paper. Passion fruit and chocolate macarons were both beautiful and delicious.
On to cookie painting with renowned cake painter Natasha Collins, I am not an artist and I was convinced that it would not end well. However, under Natasha’s expert guidance, and pre-drawn guidelines I am pretty pleased with my painted corgi, but not convinced that painting on fondant will become a pastime.
Lastly chocolate with Paul A Young, of sea salt caramel fame. We were shown how to temper chocolate (which took ages this hot summer evening), Paul’s movements spreading and working the chocolate were mesmerising to watch, and importantly I feel confident to give it a go, albeit, in a smaller quantity on my marble topped kitchen table at home. We then rolled and coated our own salt water ganache truffles – top tip for a water ganache is to use double the weight of chocolate to water. Thankfully someone else was there to clean up the resultant mess.
Many thanks to Peggy, Edd, Natasha, Paul and The Cake and Bake Show team for a very enjoyable evening.
The Cake and Bake Show is currently sold out, however for possible late release / limited entry tickets sign up to the Cake & Bake Club.
I currently have a giveaway to win a pair of tickets to the show!
Looks fab and although I do think life is too short to paint corgi cookies they do look pretty amazing. x
I am pleased with my painted corgi, but never again!
I loved watching everyone’s photos of the event on Twitter last night. I’m really pleased I’m going to the show now.
Looking forward to seeing you there Jules!
Sounds like a fun evening.
We’re really looking forward to attending the show!
Was a lovely evening, really fun and learnt lots. Cannot wait for the show!
Oh I would have been in heaven. Would love to meet Paul A Young, he is such a genius! Your skills must have improved no end and I love your Corgi!
Was really fun, Paul was lovely. Going to try tempering and making choc at home now!
Sounds like a great evening! Your rose is wonderful!
Thanks Jayne, going to make more roses. A large batch then I can keep in a box for super speedy cake decorating.
What great fun. Wish I had been there. Great photos too :)
Thanks Jac, half the photos are instagrams.
what a lovely experience. Great cookie painting. I doubt I could paint that even with a template! To sell out such a show is a credit to the organisers for such a great programme, but isn’t it also great that in modern Britain, baking and food is now so much more of a popular passion / pastime than it used to be that this should happen.
Exactly. Baking is a very cheap hobby to start, but becomes progressively more expensive as you get more kit, especially for sugar craft.
I bet it was really a great evening. I can’t wait for the Show! I’ll be there too! :)