Tiers of the Cake


A tasty slice of inspiration...

Hello foodies,

A huge warm welcome to Red Velvet Baking, the blog! I have been baking since I can remember and I have always wanted to share my experiences and tasty flair beyond the walls of my own home. In summer 2011 I launched this little blog. I blog as a celebration of my achievements and dedication to my culinary passion, alongside an overflow of my enthusiasm, with a few added delicious recipe ideas. Pictures and tips galore, sure enough to sink your teeth right into and to get your mouth watering. Delicious beautiful baking can put a smile on anyones face.

Summer 2013 saw me train for a month at Leiths, gaining a distinction in practical cookery and last summer I ran a culinary arts course in the USA, specialising in baking.

I am now back in the UK, writing for my blog from sunny Yorkshire. 2015 is going to be a big year for Red Velvet Baking, so keep posted!

Keep calm, enjoy and most importantly BAKE!


Jessica

xox

Twitter @RedVelvetBaking
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Website - Undergoing a magical makeover!

Find the missing sprinkle...

Monday 16 December 2013

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Well hello there foodie, excited for Christmas?

Christmas is my favourite time of year. I am sure my waistline thinks differently, however what is better than drinking spiced, mulled wine, the smell of gingerbread wafting through the house and plenty of chocolate to give you a sugar headache, whilst watching films under the duvet. Sadly, being a baker, I am usually creating the treats, so I spend less time snuggling and more working up a kitchen sweat, but I still love it! Orders have been pouring in for the festivities, have you got your desserts and sugary show pieces planned?


These beauties went out last week for local journalists. My 'boss' commissioned me to showcase my scrumptious cakes and I am very pleased to say they made a great impression and did not last long!


The ones below here were made as samples, trialling some Christmas ideas. As a perfectionist the only way is up and there is always room for improvement. My clients are happy,  I am clearly just too tough to please - but I am not the one paying ey!




To get into the Christmas spirit, me and my boyfriend, Georgey, got Christmas jumpers. I normally do not follow the trend, but felt this year I just had to get involved. He wears a snowman jumper from Burton and I have a slightly more sophisticated option, from Dorothy Perkins, with Reindeer antlers in a silhouette. 


We are rather cheesy, I know!


Leaving the retail world behind and being part self employed, I was slightly disappointed, knowing I had no Christmas party plans. Fortunately for me, I received a spontaneous call, offering a meal at Kenwood Hall, expenses paid as others had dropped out. As you can see the blueberry cheesecake below, I certainly enjoyed the evening. With a looming order the next day, I did dabble in a naughty glass of red, white and rose! BUT...I did pull it back, as you saw the cakes further up ;)



I was able to take my friend Mish and took funny pictures with the cracker prizes, as you can see me making a fool of myself below. The following day I had another Christmas meal, at the Women in Steel festive event, with Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce. It was such a lovely, inspiring event, celebrating women in business and women succeeding especially in manufacturing and engineering, which is mainly dominated by the males. A very uplifting celebration for the season of family, love and harmony.





















Remember, whatever happens, you will never look as silly as me here!

More to come on the Christmas period, as you can imagine my diary is full. I have a fab family meal and I have two big events that I am cooking for, so watch this space.


Keep calm and get festive!

Love Jess xox

Saturday 14 December 2013

Netwalking continues apace, bigger and better with CAKE!

Morning lovelies,

This November, Netwalking, run by my Marketing employer (blog post yet to come) won a national What's On 4 Me award, which was amazing. Netwalking marries a love for the outdoors, with the need to utilise time networking, to create business. A short 5 mile walk, with some of the best people in the local community, building business relations and breathing the beautiful fresh air - what more could you want!

We were lucky enough to celebrate the 2nd birthday in October and then continue celebrating into November, with the prize win. For the second birthday I provided a cute, rose piped Victoria sponge, in autumnal brights. I got such great feedback and it was lovely to share my passion, with all the amazing businesses that join us on Netwalking.



 I am lucky enough to be surrounded by such a fabulous group of people, who support me and my work. This cake got me a further order for early December - which was the same cake for an 18th. Simple, but so spectacular.



If you live in Sheffield or South Yorkshire, or just fancy popping by, Netwalking occurs every third friday of the month. We meet at 9am for 3 mile walk around the beautiful Endcliffe Park, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, and the next one is in less than a week on the 20th December. We will be walking come rain or snow, continuing in the festive spirit - so bring your Santa Hats! For more information email jess@keepyourfork.co.uk.


2nd Birthday celebrations...



Keep calm and take your first step towards success...


Jess xox

The What's On 4 Me award win...


Friday 13 December 2013

Christening Cakes for One Gorgeous Girl...

Evening foodies, 

Planning on sharing a few of my recent orders with you, so you can see why I am so busy! A couple of weeks back I completed a beautiful Christening order, for a gorgeous baby girl. The order involved cupcakes, mini cupcakes and a centre piece cake, using pinks and lilacs and lots of girly extras.

After some fantastic feedback, I am more than happy to be able to share the pictures! Every order offers a new mini challenge and that is what makes this job so exciting and ever changing. Such a luxury.


I bought a few new cutters and I have been really spoiling myself on new books and cake toys - shopaholic. All the cupcakes were rose piped on this order, almond, chocolate and vanilla in flavour. What more could you want? Need a cake or want to learn? Yorkshire based, I am offering my cake services for parties, orders and tuition.

Keep calm, feel the fear and do it anyway.

Love Jess xox

Tuesday 26 November 2013

Halloween & Ghastly October Antics...


Afternoon lovelies,

I thought I would just run through a few big bits that have whizzed past these last few months. Since Leiths, I have been Networking like crazy and due to a few changes in my job roles (post to come) and, as I may have mentioned, leaving fashion retail, things are looking a lot more hopeful and involving a lot more food!

Below are a few cupcakes I took to one of my favourite networks, BforB, which is a referral marketing network. Networking is the way forward, especially for SME's and growing businesses and the local community are always your allies. So take a peek below...









BforB Cupcakes, networking at its finest - especially when it involves cake!





Seen as my blog promised a touch on my Halloween antics, I also did some networking Halloween themed cupcakes, which were also a sell out. Only simple little designs, but with fantastic feedback, it really is all in the taste for me. Don't worry, that does not mean I am packing up my fantastic fondant fancies, there is a lot more to come in that department! Check out my harrowing halloween cupcakes...


AND...it is not really fair if I don't give my house mates a little chocolate trick or should I say treat!


We all went out for Halloween and it would be rude of me not to show you a few little pictures. Below is my boyfriend and I. Although, George looks a tad like a Ninja turtle, he is meant to be HULK and I, clearly, am Storm! Such a funny night and everyone else looked amazing too! Did you go out? What did you go as? We had a pumpkin too, but were left with loads to play with - pity I have not had the time. Did you make any fancy pumpkin edible treats or maybe a winter warming soup? Get in touch - remember sharing is caring!


 I will love you and leave you now foodies.

Keep calm and get spooky,

Jessica,

RVB xox

Sunday 24 November 2013

Taking a Leaf out of Leiths...

Evening foodie fans and friends alike,

It has been a while, as usual my life takes hold, but I have now found the 'schedule' button and it is soon to be my new best friend, I am sure!

Since I last blogged, a lot has happened and my favourite time of year is upon is. In September, I graduated from Leiths School of Food and Wine, with 100% in my practical. I was pretty pleased, but it is safe to say I miss getting up and spending my mornings in the kitchen - my life is too busy for that now. The course was absolutely amazing and if you ever so desire to learn to cook, professionally, or fancy a career change or simply just enjoy food - DO IT! There are plenty of things that people regret and I can assure you that this will not be one of them.

 Roast Chicken Dinner - simple and delicious.
 Soft topped scones, ready for cream tea!

 My Nan's favourite, it has to be Lemon Syrup Cake...

Since I have been back, I have spent a lot more time in the kitchen and still wish to spend more! I need a 36 hour day, to fit the rest of my life in. On the other hand, with the Winter winds drawing in, I have spent 10 mins, whilst working at home, preparing soups to simmer, for healthy and hearty lunches. If you haven't tried it you must! Below is my Courgette and Parmesan soup, which is a personal favourite, but it works equally with a strong blue cheese. A few other favourites are carrot, red pepper and parsnip and curried parsnip soup. A few herbs, 1 litre of stock and you're set to go! I hope this inspires you to get your pans out.
 Courgettes simmering.

All blended and ready for my tummy.

Off the back of the Leiths course, orders have been flying in and I am thoroughly enjoying offering my time to cook for people - so much so that I am hoping to launch a bespoke catering service, alongside my cakes and baked products. I have a trial run, of course for my Mum, just before Christmas, so expect pictures as the menu is going to be delicious!

I promise to schedule a few more blogs for your interest. I am applying for Graduate jobs, as the daunting end is near and my University years a nearly over. 

Don't forget to keep posted and send me your delicious soup pictures!

Keep calm and COOK!

Love, as always, 


Jessica, RVB xox


Wednesday 28 August 2013

The Start Of Something Inspiring, As The Best Is Yet To Come.

Evening my lovely foodies,

It has been a while, I know, but the world of food just does not stop! In my last post I said I'd recently visited London and well now, I am back in the Capital again! But this time, it really is all about the food.

In June, George and I visited as 'tourists' and spent time going to the London Zoo, watching the Lion King at the theatre, which was phenomenal! George even shed a tear. Bless! We had some fantastic food and indulged in some decadent, but naughtily delicious cake in Selfridges. I do love a good city break!


 At the Thames :)

 Show time at the theatre.

 We found NEMO!


Me as a puffer fish ;)

 CAKES!


 Beautiful cake cabinet at Fortnum & Mason.

 Treating myself to sugared rose petals and lavender. 

Clearly mine is the chocolate one!

Being back down in the big city this time, however is a lot different. With 6am starts and 4 hours of traveling, all in the name of delicious food and future promise. It can only be Leiths. If you follow my social media, you will all be drooling at some of the delicious delights I have been creating, under my short course training at the famous cookery school. It is absolutely amazing and I am sure it will be life changing. There is more to come and I promise with a smaller time delay, keep posted and get in touch!


Brownies, ofc!


 Traditional fish pie.

Roast beef sirloin and all the trimmings.

New business email, which is rather exciting so send the love to jessica@redvelvetbaking.co.uk.

Keep calm and follow your heart.

Mine always says chocolate fudge cake.

Love, as always,

Jess

xox

Monday 8 July 2013

Recent Cake Creations...

Morning foodsters!

So recently I have been ridiculously busy, with last week juggling five different jobs at once! Last week saw The Children's Media Conference, in Sheffield for its 10th year, which was amazing for networking and advice and I will be blogging on Her Uni about it - links to go live shortly!


 The week previous I was busy with last minute cake orders and working through my never end PR and marketing list! I took on a Red Velvet simple, square sponge and a double chocolate 18th birthday cake. Both very happy clients and I had great fun with the sugar-craft modelling!



Milk chocolate sponge with white chocolate ganache filling. Chocolate fondant covering and vanilla buttercream detailing. Everything, obviously, edible.



 Last week I focused mainly on shortening my list and balancing my work load. Below is the cake for Gordon Ramsay's 'have a nice day' book launch, which is an American based, crime thriller. Buy your copy on Amazon today for a truly fabulous summer read!





This week a good friend of mine tagged me in a Facebook repost of this picture, with regards to bespoke crafts and cakes. I thought it was too good not to share and to all you foodies and crafties, who  feel forced to undersell their time and products, show your clients this. If people are wanting personalised, bespoke, one of products, that are unique to them, the price in guaranteed to be higher, to match the higher quality. Shop local, shop luxury.


Keep calm and be kind to your local sellers.

Love, as always, 

RVB 

xo