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This week's interview ... Baking Cakes and Keeping Hens
I was thinking about village fetes, which are the essence of a British summer to me, and particularly my love the cake stall. Nothing like heading home with a home-baked cake to enjoy with a cup of tea. So, that's how I came across Caroline's blog, Village Fate, and her cookery business, Eggshell Cookery. This is the moment then to make a cup of tea, find at least a biscuit, if not a slice of cake, and enjoy tales of hens and lemon drizzle cake.
Creative, sensitive, happy, daydreamer.
Your blog has the question “how did I end up here?” What would your answer be? And how would you describe here?
I'm a lifestyle away from what I imagined I'd be doing aged 35, but that's falling in love for you! I met my husband, left my career to have a baby (he's now 8) and hence changed my life. 'Here' is the most beautiful place, a quiet village, a renovated farmhouse, my family (and other animals!).
Best decision you ever made?
To give up journalism and start cooking.
Favourite amongst your chickens?
Bella, she's feisty, always the first to fly the coop, always first to the corn. She talks to me when I go to collect the
Favourite inappropriate footwear?
Best tip for going green?
Recycle the bath water to water the veg beds, but don't use bubble bath and only use organic shampoo and soap.
Best cake that you make?
I like good old lemon drizzle, delicious and not sickly. Customers and family like the organic chocolate almond cake with ganache icing. It's the dark, dark organic chocolate that makes it so good.
Best sure-fire winner cake for a village summer fete that anyone could make?
Classic chocolate sponge - 2 eggs, 4oz each of SR flour, soft marg or butter, caster sugar, half a teaspoon baking powder, a splash of milk mixed with 1 tablespoon cocoa. Bung it all in a dish, mix like billio with a wooden spoon, pour into a greased 7" tin, with a circle of greaseproof at the bottom, bake for 20 mins. When it comes out, let it cool slightly in the tin, turn it out and pour over 200g of dark chocolate that you have melted with 1oz unsalted butter. Let the icing run
Best recipe book for inspiring home baking?
Mary Berry's Ultimate Cake Book
Best bit of setting up your new ventures? And the worst?
The best is: the freedom; I'm doing what makes me happy; and the ability to listen to classic books on Audio CDs while I work, saves me having to find the time to read, I love a bit of multi-tasking!
The worst? Haven't come across a 'worst' yet...
Brown long boots with a bit of a heel,
(But wouldn't say no to a piece of antique jewellery either!)
Where would you choose to spend the summer if time/money were not an issue?
Southern France
Favourite thing about a British summer?
Lying on the lawn in the sun, listening to the birdsong, smelling freshly cut grass and sweet peas.
Best flavour of a British summer
Raspberries, fresh from the garden, sun-warmed, in a bowl with a sprinkle of sugar and organic double cream
So, are you feeling hungry now? You might want to check out our guide to the best foodie gifts around, and then go off and knock up a cake or two whilst you wait for the postman!
Oh, and if you're looking for one of our previous great interviews, then these have now moved to the blog.
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