Living it Large in London, till Reality Hits Home...

This August I visited London with my best friend, Beth, and we lived it up, large. We visited the usuals, buying Hello Kitty teddies in Hamleys and sampling chocolates in Harrods. What more could a girl want?

Convent garden was beautiful as usual, I spent the entire trip spying on cake craft shops and indulging in the inspiration of others. London really just has the spark for me.

In addition to cake spying, we went to see The Woman in Black at the theatre and my gosh it was spectacular! I'm more of a musical lover myself, being a singer, but it was a masterpiece, cleverly devised to create tension and release, atmosphere and fear, with merely two actors. Unbelievable.

August disappeared with the summer sun and now we are nearly through September. It's scary really. I'm going into my second year of university, with a business kicking off, pursuing my interest in food journalism, whilst juggling a job in fashion retail. A challenge is really key to anyones success, I believe, so bring it I guess! Any of you foodies face a challenge? Embrace it, whats the worst that can happen? Email your inspiration and aspirations...jessicaaleisha@hotmail.co.uk...I find it so uplifting to see peoples efforts and achievements. :)

Red Velvet Baking wise, we have completed our third market stall, this time in Sheffield City Centre. Although a very slow day, I feel we learnt a lot from the experience and have gathered some more ideas for future stalls. I am excited! We are aiming for Chatsworth Christmas Fair 2013 and we really want to be ready to hit home with our delicious cakey goodness. 

Presently, we are working on flavour combinations and looking at new and interesting ideas to visually inspire and engage you, our beautiful audience. So keep your eyes peeled and watch this space, because there can never be enough cakey scrummyness in your life.

Keep calm and enjoy the rest of the summer sun, before winter sets in :)

Love & delicious wishes, 

RV xox

1st Time for Everything :)

Well...what an amazing month August has been!! I hope you've all been making the most of the holidays and baking your kitchens into a frenzy! Well I can assure you my kitchen has been mental, along with jam packed weeks, not to mention whats to come this September!

Mid August my best friend and I decided to hold a stall in Bakewell, and according to the feedback, we really did BAKE WELL. It was a fantastic experience, and since it was Red Velvet's first ever stall, we learnt a lot from the feedback and got amazing comments to take away and build on. Below a few of the traditional styled cakes and fun cupcakes we had for sale. For the customer market, it seemed that traditional banana breads and victoria sponges were popular, alongside bakewell cupcakes and double chocolate fudge brownies of course!!!

In fact, we enjoyed the few days so much, that we are planning on attending a Sheffield Day and Night market fair this September. September 5th brings a 12 hour market fair to the Peace Gardens in Sheffield, so do not miss it!!! There will be a multitude of crafts, edible treats and I will also be selling bakeware, courtesy of Pampered Chef. So make plans, venture down and for more information keep checking my blog or Facebook - Red Velvet Baking. It would be a delight to see your face!!

In addition, my website is well underway! I have launch plans for mid September and I will be taking cake design orders and requests from right away!! So even if it is just a question or a blog request, don't hesitate to contact me. I'd be ecstatic to help!!


Keep posted for a new blog shortly, as I recently visited the capital and ate scrumptious delights!

Keep calm and keep the holiday spirits,

Love, as always

Red Velvet xo

I'm Back and In Business!

Evening Foodies,

I have the internet again, hallelujah!! I thought it'd never happen! So I am back online and back in business. :) And have I got news and plenty of food to share with you!!

As I forgot to explain earlier, the PANEL. It was amazing. Baking in a beautiful industrial kitchen, creating tasty treats and then getting all the feedback. I went up against a local competitor and thankfully smashed it! I got some fabulous feedback, "moist", "rich", "melt in the mouth"...I was so pleased.

Also, the business plan is in! I had the worst hand in day possible, fire alarms and broken copiers...oh my days. But hopefully it will all be worth it. You will have to keep posted, but all your support is really appreciated!

I am now on Instagram too :). Redvelvetbaking. Get on it!

Keep following and get in touch! I'd love to see your inspiration, your talent, your passion.

Keep calm and get sharing...

Love, as always,

RV xo

I Am Still Alive...Promise :)

Evening foodies :)

Long time, no blog and I am so sorry!! Work gets the better of me it seems! But, we have a busy month ahead and I'm sure to keep you all updated on the crazy antics of Red Velvet Baking...can you keep up?

June has been busy, but July, well...it's going to be major! This June Red Velvet Baking has panelled alongside a local rival, baked up a storm on the business plan front and taken a Bulgarian vacation...with ice cream involved and plenty of suncream.

I will do a full panel dedicated post tomorrow - there truly is that much to say - but for now I shall mention just how exciting things have been in Bulgaria and how the business is beginning to take shape.

Bulgaria, Bulgaria, BULGARIA! It may sound daunting, but believe me it was amazing! It was one of my favourite girly holidays so far, with beautiful beaches, glorious 35degree sunshine and best of all, gorgeous people. I believe I have made friends for life. Young, clubbing, lively holiday - Bulgaria is the new place to be - check it out guys. Oh - and the ice cream is out of this world, massive, mouth watering masterpieces of flavour and texture. I wish I was there now!

Back on to the business side of things, it is all running smoothly, before July 27th's take off date. I have a close University friend of mine helping me with the financial planning and my beautiful best friend, Beth, designing some potential cake prototypes, to give you an idea of my scope, passion and edible potential. It is all very exciting. 

All I will say is that the panel went well ;)....keep posted for the real results tomorrow foodies!

Keep calm and carry on eating cake <3

All my love,

 Red Velvet

After rain, there is always sunshine <3

The Sun Has Got Its Hat On...

Afternoon Foodies,

And what a beautiful afternoon it is in Yorkshire. The sun is beaming, brightly in the sky and by gosh is it hot! I hope you guys are making the most of this sensational heat wave!

As for me, busy bee as per! This month has been a rather busy month, with exams, my birthday and some competition news to open new doors for Red Velvet Baking!

My birthday was on the 5th May - I spent the day shopping, as only I do best ;), and engaged in a little evening partying! Also, not forgetting a little fun-filled baking! I decided on making mini rainbow cupcakes, with a very sweet, white chocolate frosting....deeeeliiicccioussss!

In addition, I have some big news for you foodies!! I got threw to the next round of the Enterprise challenge!! This means I now have to write a business plan, in the hope of reaching the final presentation stage. This is very exciting!! My business will soon be getting the support it needs! Red Velvet Baking is growing!!!

Another competition is also on the cards. I am thinking of entering a couple of baking competitions to do with Eric Lanlard and BBC competing. There is always a chance and you really have to be in it to win it....so why not!

I did a little extra baking mid-month, creating a rich chocolate ganache mini cake and cute little butterfly muffins. Ridiculously indulgent, but really worth it! Check them out below!!!

 The next few months are going to be full of baking experiments, eating and hopefully summer sun! But I'll keep you updated. Exams are over now, so let the summer begin!

I'm on my CakeLoversDiet, at present, as I am jetting off to Bulgaria mid-June, but always be aware of skinny bakers - it's just not plausible! I love cake way too much for that...

Keep calm and out bake the sun...

Love, as always,

Red Velvet xo

Think Pink, Pink, Pink...

Birthday time is fast approaching and I'm thinking of combining my love of cake with the fashion trends of the season. Working in clothing retail has given me the heads up and in baking, we do loosely follow these seasonal patterns.

At the moment, we are in the season of hot brights and sumptuous pastels. I love both! For my Birthday I was thinking of a rich pink sponge, following the brights theme, but using pastel colourings on top to give a powerful contrast - that little extra wow factor. In addition, I recently came across some really pretty rainbow cupcakes, using pastel shades to create mini fairytale-esqe delights. 

Have you tried anything out recently, with colours or designs? If so get in touch, redvelvetbaking.gmail.com.

Furthermore, contrasting patterns are trending. Any of you tried those imprint rolling pins? I was wondering if embossed vintage style sugar toppings could look very pretty. Also, you could use sugar balls and mini sugar flowers or sugared petals to highlight detail. 

What are your opinions? Any thing you would like me to showcase?

Although, the weather has taken a turn for the worst up North, Summer is still approaching fast and ready. We need to get our flour dusted fingers at the ready, as baking is going to take Summer by storm this year.

Keep calm and get ready, this Summer we're going to heat it up.

Love as always, 

Baking mad forever<3

Red Velvet xo

Pictures featured as inspirational ideas, not copyright of Red Velvet Baking.

Blue skies, bright days ahead...

Evening Foodies :)

It seems summer is fast approaching; shorts, sunglasses and sun cream at the ready! And I can tell you that I am rather excited for what summer is to bring this year. Any of you got any amazing holiday plans?

In two months time, I'm jetting off to Bulgaria, of all places, to soak up some rays with my best friend. We are both super foodies, so we are so excited to try the unusual cuisine and get all bronzed up. In addition, in two weeks time it is my birthday, YAY! I've been pottering around in the kitchen and collecting ideas for my birthday cake...so keep posted. If you've got any super spellbinding ideas, email me at redvelvetbaking@gmail.com - get in touch!!!

As for recent antics, busy busy busy seems to be my current motto! March saw the development of a birthday cake, for a close friend of mine. She asked for a cake that embodied her enthusiasm for wrestling and this was the much appreciated result. :)

Furthermore, I had an order in for my friends brothers birthday sweetie cake. Although this was an unusual cake for me to do, I enjoyed the challenge and had a lot of fun making this cake.

Unfortunately, I was unable to blog on Easter Sunday, but I hope you all had a wonderful Easter! I spent Easter with my best friend, I baked milk chocolate cupcakes and we went on walks around Newmillerdam <3 beautiful this time of year. I left the cupcakes as a little treat for my parents...what did you bake?

I hid a little popping candy in each for that added wow - my parents said it was an exciting surprise :).

As this month progresses, more and more opportunities have become available, having completed all my hygiene awards this week and had legal support and advice. I am excited to say that Red Velvet Baking really is starting to take off! If you would like to be featured on here or have any ideas you'd like to see me whip up - email me at redvelvetbaking.gmail.com. Get in touch, I love to here from you!!!!

Keep calm and keep motivated. It really is the best way.

Love, as always,

Red Velvet xo