Explore: Edinburgh

Hey foodies,

Haven't the first two months flown?! I mean March, really? 

At the end of February I took a short, weekend break to Edinburgh. I've never really explored Scotland and as a belated birthday pressie for the bf, I thought a bit of Scottish, city culture would be a welcome break.

Being the organised person that I am, I researched restaurants, walks and activities and read review after review. With it being a city of great tourist attraction there's so much to see, including Edinburgh Castle, the National Art Gallery and all the beautiful garden walks. So to give you foodie explorers a heads up, here at my five Edinburgh highlights:

1. The Scotch Whisky Experience

This was part of George's birthday treat, as he's definitely more of a whisky drinker than me! However, I also really enjoyed the experience. The tour started on a ride! I was rather shocked and so excited, as we sat coupled on a journey through the making of Scotch whisky. As we disembarked the ride, we were greeted by our tour guide and taken into a brief seminar on whisky, using scent cards to embody the tasting notes of whisky from the different regions. We then got to pick our favourite to sample. Being the sweetie that I am, I opted for a blended whisky, with honey. More of a liquor really, compared to all the other hardcore whisky drinkers in the room. As we took back the notes of our chosen sample and swirled the golden liquid in our glasses, our guide walked us through the largest collection of Scotch whisky in the world. It was huge! Our tour ended with a look at some of the most unusually designed and sought after whisky bottles, from chess pieces to Big Ben, there were some beautiful whisky works of art.

We upgraded our tour to include a platter of tasters from the different Scotch whisky regions. A very sensory, but relaxed experience and it's safe to say I needed a glass of water before leaving to help me get back down the stairs!

Tours start from just £14 and it's a must! www.scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk

2. Afternoon tea at the Dome

It was my Dad who actually suggested this. Being a lover of luxury and I think it's obvious that I'm a lover of delicious food, afternoon tea in this stunning building was also high on my priority list. With its impressive grandeur, who wouldn't want to spend their afternoon eating petite finger sandwiches, macarons and of course - scones! I mean even George enjoyed it, so it must have been tasty.

Prices start around £18 and book in advance to avoid disappointment. www.thedomeedinburgh.com

3. Thai banquet at Time for Thai

I must have spent hours searching for a restaurant. I'm quite difficult to please and with internet reviews so easily accessible, it only takes one comment to put me off booking. When going to new places, I always try to eat somewhere local and avoid most chain restaurants like the plague. George and I have a particular love for Thai cuisine and I wanted somewhere which wouldn't disappoint. After numerous phone calls I finally got us a table at Time for Thai. The decor looked modern and elegant, so I booked a table for 8pm. When we arrived the restaurant was packed, which although meant a short break, I knew I'd made a good decision! With complimentary drinks for our patience and faultless service, this was one of the best Thai meals I've ever had. I will certainly be going back, even if only for the generosity of the front of house staff.

Set menus start at £23.95 and you definitely need to book as far in advance as possible for this one! time4thai.co.uk

4. Evening drinks at the Jazz Bar

With the dark, atmospheric lighting in this place I didn't get any pictures, but all the more reason for you to visit it for yourself! This little gem, hidden away in a basement off Chambers street, is home to the very best of funk, soul and blues. Holding up to four live sessions a day, you really have no excuse! The bar was packed, but we managed to get seats, and the live band were fantastic, especially as they were a mix of solo artists. It was like an open house rehearsal, so anything could've happened!

It was incredibly relaxed and you could tell all of the musicians were fully immersed in the music. Check out their online calendar for a little inspiration...www.thejazzbar.co.uk

5. Camera Obscura

Now this is an odd one really, for me anyway. I tend to stay clear of the typical tourist attractions, but with George not being a fan of history and castles, we thought we would try out Camera Obscura. With incredibly high ratings for being family friendly and fun for all ages, we though WHY NOT?

With several floors full of fun, obscure activities, including a rotating tunnel walkway, mirror maze and photo booths which simulate your face as a monkey, we spent hours walking round in hysterics.It really was a great laugh and we took loads of silly pictures too, see my big head below!


The original main attraction, is the camera obscura itself, where you can view live moving images of Edinburgh projected onto a viewing table, through a giant periscope. With 360 degree turning facility, this intriguing projected image allows you play games with the image, lifting people up on paper bridges and dropping them back onto the table. Although this is more exciting and interactive for the little ones, I found it fascinating and it has been a major attraction for over 150 years in Edinburgh.

Here's me on the top of the building, in rather dismal weather, but nonetheless taking a selfie the waving 'Hello' flag. General admission is £13.95 and you can come and go as you please! You will need to leave plenty of time for silly selfies! www.camera-obscura.co.uk

So all you need to do now is book a city break!

I'm really looking forward to going back to Edinburgh in May and super excited for all my upcoming city break plans through 2015. Where will your adventures take you?

Say it with experience, go explore.

Love,

Jess

xo

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

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

Pearl Cake & Catch Up!

Evening foodies :)

Recently, business has been going from strength to strength! I am doing more and more work, interning and I am finally getting round to writing a few press releases for business promotion. Cake orders are becoming more regular and the other day I was recognised out in Sheffield - I was amazed!

I have decided to join a few more cake online forums, some American sites for ideas and trends and a few secret cake clubs, which I find extremely exciting! It is so inspiring seeing the work that others are doing and I find it helps get my creative juices flowing and motivates me to challenge myself and get on it! I am supporting a local friend with her business ideas, so watch this space and have taken on a beautiful assistant designer, Demi, to support my business progress. So if you're thinking about doing something, the time is now, lets get creative and productive!!!

As for my most recent cake order, I did a Pearl wedding anniversary cake. I challenged myself with a few new materials, such as edible paints and lustre sprays. It was a little difficult at times, but i thoroughly enjoy embracing a challenge and sometimes the most simple things, are the hardest. 4 layers of victoria sponge, jam and buttercream. Take a sneaky peak...

I also found this article very interesting and quite amusing! I am a little bit of a perfectionist, but it is true that sometimes, with edible materials, you have to be a little creative and clever with your approach!

Also, I have started taking a few brush up classes on modelling. I have bought a few more books, personal treats to myself, and think these classes will just give me a little more knowledge, as my self taught methods are fab, but you cannot refute extra knowledge! Check out my little people from last week...

In addition, I would like to introduce you little people to my cute new boyfriend, he has a right baby face!!! He took me to a beautiful restaurant, in Sheffield, for Valentines. Cannot beat Thai and if you visit Sheffield, All Siam is delicious!...I am a very lucky girl!

Keep calm and stay motivated...the time is always now!

Love, as always,


RVB

xox