Quality Ingredients

The quality of the ingredients you use directly affects the quality of the cake you make.  Good quality means ingredients that deliver on flavour, are natural and have been produced in an environmentally responsible way. 

In my view there is not enough focus on the use of quality ingredients in the cake and dessert world; there is still widespread reliance on artificial colours and flavours and ultra processed foods. 

I bake from scratch and whenever possible use organic or pesticide free ingredients, flour that has been grown regeneratively, grass fed dairy and organic free-range eggs.

Technique

Making cakes is a technical process.  The right methods matter even for the simples of cakes.  This is why it so important to keep learning.  Even after having baked cakes for more than 20 years, been professionally trained at one of the world’s best culinary schools and worked in professional kitchens, there is always more to learn. 

More technical knowledge not only makes you more efficient and your cakes more consistent, but also makes a huge difference to how your cakes look, taste, their texture and shelf life.

Flavour

Yes it’s great for cakes to look good and I always want to achieve this.  But cakes also have to taste good!

Too often cakes are overly sweet or just do not taste of their component ingredients.  Too much sugar across the elements, poor quality ingredients and poor technique are the primary culprits.  This is why it is so important to use good quality ingredients and the correct techniques. 

If you apply the right methods to good quality ingredients, flavour will follow.

Friends & Family

Food is at its best when it is shared with others, and like many other things, so much about food is in the giving. I love cooking and baking for others, whether it’s a regular mealtime with Rob and Neve, a wider family occasion or baking a gift for a loved one.

The same applies to sharing my knowledge.  I get so much pleasure from seeing what other people are making and connecting with passionate bakers all over the world. 

I love how food and baking bring people together!

Having Fun!

Many of the food issues I discuss can be serious but in essence food should be fun! I have already said that food is at its best when it is shared with others.   I am something of a perfectionist and I am passionate about achieving high standards, but I also want to enjoy it! There have been times, particularly when we ran the patisserie, that it was easy to lose sight of this.

I love sharing my knowledge and the best way for people to learn is when they are enjoying themselves.  Life is too short to be too serious, so let’s get better at cake with a laugh and smile!