Cupcakes I made for a Moroccan themed Wedding Anniversary. The vibrant colours were set off nicely against the chocolate buttercream frosting and gold foil cases.

Jess the cat cake pops.

For a client who loves photography and South African butterflies (amongst other things).

Voodoo doll iced biscuits for a wedding that was held in The Pelican Club, New Orleans.

A dragon birthday cake commissioned by Liz Earle.

Friday 1st March saw the publication of my first book ‘The Icing on the Cake’. And I wasn’t venturing far afield for my very first book signing.

My bakery, as well as my home, is in Semley, just outside Shaftesbury in Dorset. It is on the first floor above our community-run village stores and cafe, so I sat down with a cup of tea, a few of my newly unpacked books and a very carefully chosen black pen. It was in fact the very same table that I had sat at last summer and wrote the introduction, so it felt like the right place to be.

It was never going to be a ‘queue round the block’ signing, but a steady stream of locals who were, embarrassingly for me, excited to have an autographed book on the first day of publication. And as for the actual signing, well, when I asked them what they wanted me to write, they said, “Oh you decide”. So no pressure then.

I wonder what Mary or Delia would have written? Not only that, I was so nervous that I had to send them off for a wander around the shop, so they weren’t watching! It did get easier though, as my black pen got worn in a bit, thank goodness!

So I had a lovely day, chatted to friends, drank lots of tea and sold a few books. Perfect.

Signed copies of the book available here.

Book signings

Signed copies of ‘The Icing on the Cake’, will be available from the bakery in Semley from Friday 1st March. I will be signing copies, as well as selling Easter biscuits at the Easter Fair in East Knoyle on Friday 22nd March and the Easter Food Fayre in Semley on Saturday 23rd March. Further details a bit nearer the time.

I will keep you informed of where further book signings are taking place as and when they are organised.

Published by Duncan Baird Publishers

Ooh la la corset, Bra and Knickers, Kinky Boot

Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe

Bag of three ‘Hot Lips’

Over the last few months I have been working with Hédiard, a gourmet grocers in France, to create bespoke iced biscuits; a vanilla snowman and a gingerbread snowflake, which have been for sale in their seven boutiques all over Paris this Christmas. Three thousand of them!

A very brief history for those who don’t know Hédiard:

“Ferdinand Hédiard, a young man passionate about fine foods, opened his first shop in Paris in 1854. Today, the house is considered to be an institution of refined taste. In his boutique, situated in the heart of the Madeleine, you will find only the most exceptional products. After 150 years, Hédiard is still one of the references in French gourmet grocers.

More than 6000 items are available: all-natural jams, fruit pastes, spices and caviar…A line of products that bear their noble ancestry. Not to mention the 35 varieties of coffee and the 240 references in tea, including unique blends. Among the irresistible, the chocolates and the fruit baskets that have made Hédiard’s reputation.”

So, I feel privileged to have been asked in the first place and also proud in the knowledge that they have only used two English suppliers before, and I am one of them! Who would have thought it? All made from my little bakery in Semley in Dorset.

It was a somewhat challenging task at times, the sheer number of biscuits to be made, iced and packaged meant I had to enlist the services of many of the village ladies. I’m surprised that they returned on the second day, after my strict quality control of what a Hédiard tied ribbon should look like!

It was a very exciting project and I will be visiting Paris in the next few months to discuss Christmas 2013 biscuits and seasonal ranges throughout this year.

Available to buy at Semley Village Stores, Semley or through me direct. Please email or call for stock availability.
Prices from £2.95

Olly Smith is back on BBC’s Saturday Kitchen this September, where he will be recommending wines to match with dishes cooked by chefs Adam Byatt and Nigel Haworth. This was his birthday cake.

Golden Wedding Anniversary and 70th Birthday Cake. I know it looks like a remembrance cake, but it’s not, she just liked poppies and wheat!!!