Embarking on an American Dream

Hey foodies,

So the big day has come and today sees me jet to the USA for 8 weeks to teach culinary arts. After completing a course at Leiths last summer, I applied for the role with camp leaders and got accepted in January. How time flies as it's here already.

 I mean it was one of my goals...

I wanted to have the experience of a lifetime. To let you into my life a little more, I am the kind of person who likes to plan ahead and this was always on my to do list. People say that to...

I wanted to see a little more of the world and because I love teaching and sharing my knowledge, I wanted to share my passion for food with the kids overseas. I know in my heart that teaching in the traditional sense of the word, like state education, is not for me but I still wanted to exercise my desire to preach about the wonders and delights of fresh food and cooking. I also understand that after I get into a great job, I wouldn't be able to leave it for travel at a later date. This seems like the best time for me.

I kind of know in the short term where I am going, what my aims are and how I NEED food to be a huge part of my life, as it is what make me happy. But long term...

And being on my way is good enough for me! Trying to keep my passion at the heart of what I do, I know I will enjoy the journey and even more the unknown destination.

As mentioned above, I have been organised enough to set up a series of blogs for whilst I am away, so please don't be shy and keep in touch! I am taking a break from cake orders, clearly, whilst I am abroad, but I will be back in action on my return. To sweeten you guys up for my plans in September, I will also be sharing a few tasty treats on here, with the recipes to get your tantalise those tastebuds of yours!

As my old boss used to say...

So I will see you properly on the other side! 

Keep calm and lets get busy baking the dream.

Love, as always,

Jess

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

BBC AMAZINGLY Good Food...

Hello foodies <3

Thought I'd delve back into 2012 one last time to tell you about my BBC antics! It was amazing! Two whole weeks in the Capital, living the London dream with one of the best foodie fanatic teams in the UK.

After being a persistent and annoying little foodie fan, they finally emailed me back and offered me a two week internship, in their Hammersmith/Kensington base, London and as you can imagine - I did not refuse. I got two weeks off University and packed my bags. A long time coming and well worth the wait.

Luckily for me, I am a huge fan of big cities and London is like a dream to me. I love the rush, fast paced lifestyle, get up and go, musicals (I'm a huge fan!) and of course - the food! BBC Good Food brought most of my fave bits (I only sang on my own!) to life and the experience really does leave me a little speechless!

I got the opportunity to contact PR teams, answer customer enquiries, search the online and paper recipe/magazine archives. They were so welcoming! It was very relaxed, almost informal but you could tell everyone got their heads down and got stuck in with the foodie fun. I was allowed in the kitchens, helped test drive a few things to go in up and coming editions and was even given a few proper editorial tasks!!!

I was given the opportunity to look round the BBC Good Food show, which was spectacular and I got to meet a few of my face chefs and bakers! Inspiring to see all the talent out their and all the opportunities, just waiting to be ceased!

I've known a while now that food journalism is where I ultimately want to end up, alongside my beautiful baking business, of course! Experiences like this are ridiculously sought after and by having the confidence to put yourself out their, opportunities will find you eventually!

Since November, I have had meetings with a wonderful woman from the Sheffield Telegraph, making connections about having some work published about me and my business. Very exciting stuff! Also, as of last week I have some even more exciting news! Delicious magazine, after three years of persistent emailing, have contacted me about doing an internship with them. They've been incredibly friendly and have basically offered whatever I want! I have never been so excited! This year really is my year it seems.

Have you had any experiences like this or made any New Years resolutions, thinking this is your year?
Don't hesitate to get in touch! I'd love to hear all about it! To celebrate one success, is to inspire a million.

Keep calm and keep inspired...

Cheeky picture of me and my auntie in Hertfordshire this last November <3 Family visits in the South!

Love & best wishes this 2013,

RVB

xox

University Bound.

So I'm back in Sheffield now, without all the home luxuries, I guess! Missing home already, aha, but most of all my mr. Can say the next few months, whilst he's at army training, are going to be pretty tough! But I'll keep posting for you foodies and I'm sure the months will fly!

There's not many people back at uni until the beginning of february, so I'm a rather lonely chicken! I've done a little more research, thanks to my twitter followers, and think I may have found the baking courses for me! But I'll post my research on courses at a later date on my Top tasty site page :) so keep a look out!!!

As for now...I better get posting some tasty treats!!

Keep calm and eat a cupcake kids,

Yours  truly,

Red Velvet <3