My New Best Friend

“Would you like something to eat?” asks Vincenzo in his thick Italian accent moments after I get settled at the cluttered desk I share with Dan.  “No thank you,” I reply.  

I don’t want to be rude but I already had a large vanilla latte (my morning ritual.  You see, I am a certified coffee addict, though on the road to recovery as I have just admitted to all of you that I do indeed have a problem) a breakfast bar, and a banana.  I am not sure if it’s the language barrier or his persistent politeness but moments later he is back with not one but TWO pastries! Which vanished within seconds.  The next day, it was the same thing only this time it’s a blueberry muffin. 

And then after lunch I “just HAD to try the new banana cake recipe,” although I have to admit it was worth the guilt I now feel.  I thought I was done with the sweets for the day but no, I was sent home with a cake, and not a slice of cake, not a small 8’ cake no a full on, birthday party sized chocolate mousse cake. By now I am sure it’s not a cross-cultural communications problem we are having but a plot to plump me up. 

To avoid eating the whole thing myself, I invited every girl I knew over, because as everyone knows girls inhale chocolate easier than air.  Aalst, after all my attempts to ward off the sweets, I had two (quite large) slices, and by now, quite a good sugar buzz.  At least all this cake eating will provide some cushioning for this hard chair I sit in for 6 hours…

With swimsuit season coming up I have a feeling that my trainers are going to be my best friend.  

And so will these...

Breaking the fast with this delicious Easter challenge

With Easter just two weeks away I know we all have two things on our mind; holiday and sweets. Since this will be my first Easter on this side of the pond I figured I would attempt to make at British Easter Classic, the hot cross bun. Mind you, I have never made or even eaten a hot cross bun. Since I have absolutely no idea what I am doing I figure I'll head to one of my favourite food blogs, Foodgawker, and look up a recipe.

Okay so I know I JUST said I was going for the whole traditional British thing, but look at these...

Chocolate chip hot cross buns. I'm sold. Here is the recipe: 

CHOCOLATE CHIP HOT CROSS BUNS

Adapted from Not Quite Nigella.

For the buns

3 sachets instant dry yeast (21g, 3/4 oz) 1/2 cup sugar 1 1/2 cups lukewarm milk 4 1/2 cups plain flour

1 tsp salt 50g unsalted butter, melted 1 egg, lightly beaten 2 1/2 cups chocolate chunks or chips

For the glaze

1/4 cup sugar 3 tbsp hot water

For the crosses

60g white chocolate (2 oz) 

looks like I'll be making a trip to Waitrose after work.

Here is another picture to get your mouth watering...

So seeing as I have never even tried a hot cross bun I figured that it is only fair if I let Vincenzo be the judge of how they turned out, but shhh! don't tell him because I am doing to make it a surprise.

Now let's see if mine come out anything like the pictures. 

Stay posted to see the results!


P.S. Write us a post and let us know what you will be making this Easter holiday! 

Hello from Family Cakes new intern

Hello Everyone!

My name is Jill Lavoie and I am the new intern at Family Cakes Company! I arrived in London for the first time in early January and since then I have been taking classes and exploring the city.  Back in the States I live and study in Washington D.C. where I am a junior at American University, studying Public Relations. This is my first week in my internship with Family Cakes and I am very excited to be here!

On my first day I arrived a little after 8:00 and the office was already buzzing with activity.  I was greeted by Dan and introduced to the rest of the guys.  No sooner was I settled at my desk that Vincenzo the eccentric italian, was at the door and speaking in fast broken english, I looked around for the boss before realize that me was talking to me!  I could tell right away that I would like the fast paced and friendly environment.

Although this is only my second day have already been able to work on a couple different projects ranging from product pricing, brochure layout, and helped organize a very disorganized Daniel.  Not to mention I've gotten to try some of the goods! Today Vincenzo came in and asked me to pick a cake to bring home.  Being a girl Chocolate is close to my heart so I went with the chocolate mouse.

What is family cakes to me? Is it constantly Dan disappearing (and always just in time for the whole office to come knocking at the door)? Lundy running franticly back and forth from the kitchen?  Is it crazy Italians yelling at one another over icing? Maybe its all of it.  

I expect to help with a bit of everything here at Family Cakes.  I will work to expand on their already existing social media, help with web design for their companion company Cook Sisters, and complete orders.  I also look forward to taking on any other new projects and challenges. I am excited to spend the next two months here at Family Cakes, helping them as they grow!

I’m sure you will be hearing from me again soon but for now I am going to get back to work and dream of that Chocolate Mouse cake I am going to be eating later!

Jill Before Chocolate Cake                                     Jill After Chocolate Cake