Food Fight Against Cancer...James Martin vs Brian Turner

Evening foodies :)

What a busy week it has been! I am being introduced to all kinds of networking and even Net-walking (post to follow soon!), with cake orders and charity involvement on the rise - can 2013 get any better? The only way is up, ey?!

Last night a close friend of mine, Liam and I went to The Crucible, Sheffield, to watch The Food Fight Against Cancer, with James Martin and Brian Turner. It was amazing. We got fantastic seats, the food smelt and looked delicious and the yorkshire banter and jokes flying round were truly priceless. So much money and awareness was raised for Weston Park and Cavendish Cancer related charities, which are such an important cause. It was so inspiring and so heart-warming to see the chefs, being themselves - down to earth, yet extremely entertaining. The Crucible was packed full of people having a really good time, yet it felt very intimate and cosy.

The first half of the show was based around a set menu, to feed a family of four. Turner did a beautiful stuffed lamb joint, with fondant potatoes and assorted vegetables, whereas Martin went for it and did a 5 course extravaganza. This consisted of a light Pea soup, with quick battered egg, a blowtorched mackerel salad, quick sweet chilli pan fried lamb and a beautifully simple fridge box cake (biscuits and raspberry cream - simple but spectacular!)

I was so lucky to get the chance to attend and am so happy I got involved. I even got a picture with Brian Turner and he answered my questions on what cookery school to go to. Lets say I will definitely be attending Leiths, some way or another, and Brian Turner has not seen the last of me and my cakes!!!

Pictures to follow, but my Mac is having a paddy right now! Keep an eye out for special blog posts for local businesses and networking coming up over the next few days...but for now my bed is calling.

Keep calm and keep focused.

Good things always come to those who work hard!

Love, as always

RVB xox

Business Better Than Usual...

Afternoon Foodies :)

I have had a fabulously busy week and I am so excited to be starting my second semester of 2nd year tomorrow! I'm hoping all you foodies have faired ok during the UK snow blanket, it has been rather slippy! The girls and I went into the back garden and built a snow man! If you have any snow pics send them in and share your fun...sadly our snowman's head fell off during the night :( and now he is barely a twig, amongst the grass in the garden.

This week I started my internship with Faye, from Keep Your Fork, Sheffield. What an amazing and truly inspiring individual and I am so lucky to have the chance to work with her. My eyes have been opened to the world of PR and journalism, from not just a business perspective, but from a female business perspective, with the rise of women in business. On Tuesday, I was lucky enough to attend the Natwest Inspiring Women talk, at Sheffield Hallam University, where the female speakers spoke about their work -life balance and struggles in a very male dominated sector. It brought tears to my eyes when one Olympic Table Tennis Champion discussed her struggles against haters, becoming a teacher and an athlete, having two children at home! These people are truly remarkable and I am so honoured to hear their story. Keep an eye out for these events and get yourself along! It is so inspiring...I felt like I needed to get up there and then and start doing something ambitious and life changing! Watch this space, yeah?

In addition, on Thursday I went to a Business for Breakfast meeting, however it was a ladies lunch! We had some fabulous food and I got to meet a selection of local business women, striving to push their business beyond personal contacts, to people in need of their help and services. I had to do a 60 second business pitch, which was ridiculously daunting, but I got a wonderful round of applause and a client wanting a pearl wedding anniversary cake!! Orders and support, what more could a girl want!

To show my respect I also attended a charity auction, last night. It was amazing and I met some beautiful people and lots of money was raised. The charity, Golddigger, is run by two truly inspirational young women, raising money for female trafficking in Sheffield, from girls as young as twelve years! A heartbreaking cause, but it was fantastic to see how many showed up and supported the auction. Get involved yourself at Golddigger Trust <3

Today is National Chocolate Cake Day - so whats on your chocolate cake menu? Vote at the poll above and let us know what you created!!! Yesterday was National Potato Day and I celebrated with little Jersey Potatoes...very yummy! My diet suggests highly against Chocolate Cake, but I must admit...theres always need for cake <3

Keep calm and Bruce Bogtrotter that cake,

Love & Chocolate filled wishes,

RVB

xox

2013 - A Cake Filled Start...

Morning Foodies :)

Hope you are all warm and tucked up under the covers - this snow really is limiting my activity! But, I am going to venture out today, snow boots at the ready!

It is really crazy to think we are over half way through January - like when did that happen! Time really does fly! Thinking back over the last 21 days, so much as happened. I don't even know how I fit things in, but they do say if you want something doing, ask a busy person - busy people always fit extra things in!

So...January so far has offered excitement, stress, worry, passion and most of all, hope and inspiration. In cake terms I kicked off my Cake calendar with a Vintage Fair, at Sheffield Revolucion de Cuba (amazing cocktails!), raising awareness and money for Amy's Retreat, my charity of choice. I did a selection of tea time cakes, including chocolate fudge cake, lemon drizzle and rhubarb and custard cupcakes! It went down a storm and I am hoping to continue my partnership as the year progresses!

Also, as it is January, it means exam period :(. I have had two exams this month, one being tomorrow! I have spent a little time revising (not one to revise for weeks) and I am feeling reasonably confident. My course mate, Liam, and I spent some time revising with cocktails and mexican food, which I must say is now my favourite way to revise. Rather relaxing and extremely productive, strangely enough.

In terms of further plans this January...I met Clare Shepherd from Your New Life Plan, which has recently launched in Sheffield, as a refreshing new approach to changing your life round, with health as the focus. We met at a beautiful little italian cafe on Abbeydale Road, Sheffield, called Bragazzis - well worth a visit for the beautiful coffee and delicious deli! Recently, I have been doing a little writing work for Clare and I am attending her nutrition course this Feb - watch this space foodies!!

Tuesday night I am going to an inspiring people talk, set up by Natwest bank to celebrate the success and independence of people in the local region. I will report back and let you know what is said and if you fancy coming down, it is free and on tomorrow at 6:15pm at Sheffield Hallam University - the details are online.

January has been so exciting so far, how has your January been? Get in touch you beautiful people!!!

Keep calm and make snow cakes ;)

Love & warmth this winter, 

RVB 

xox