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...

Melodramatic May...

Evening my wonderful Foodie followers,

I hope you all have managed to make the most of the minimal sun May has offered this year, but both bank holidays at least were warm!

At this beginning of the month, 5th May, I turned my back on my teen years and embraced the years ahead, as a twenty year old. Scary thought, but the blossom in my front garden is beautiful! (See behind my head...)

 As it was MY birthday, I made chocolate fudge cake, as it's my ultimate favourite. I trialled some delicious Quark mixed cake pops and covered in ganache; perfection. I cored the cake and filled it with mini chocolate cupcakes, sprinkled with glitter and edged the base with caramel curls. My tasty little birthday treat, for myself! I did share it though, I'm not that selfish!

I got some fabulous presents, which were mainly, funnily enough, food related. Even my family understand my obsession. I got some topsy turvy tins, Red Velvet Cupcake wine, a new cupcake caddy and a gorgeous Le Creuset dish, of the boyfriend. Oh, and don't let me forget my NEW cake airbrush gun! My pink Dinkie Doodle, alongside my nerdy gifts,  including Alice in Wonderland psychologist essays.

I celebrated my birthday with family. My parents surprised me with a trip to a gorgeous Thai restaurant in Leeds, Thai Edge, after a Pink Princess champagne cocktail in Harvey Nichols. We finished the evening in the Skybar overlooking Leeds, two rather drunk ladies and too rather amused men.

The food was fantastic, soft lobster in noodles, thai green curry; just scrumptious. Everything was beautifully seasoned, lots of spice and full of flavour. I will definitely be going back!

 Above you can see the 'famous', as my mum would call it, Creme Caramel cocktail special, which was a pretty amazing drink. Smooth and silky on the palette and deadly alcoholic! I tried a pomegranate daquiri to finish too, see below. It was mind blowing-ly strong, yet subtly sweet, with a hint of sour lime. What better way to celebrate.

Apologies for the delay in my post, I have been a little ill these last few days with sinusitis and busy with a new influx of orders, the latter being slightly more exciting! I have applied to write for an online culture based magazine and have been working on my business model and developing new ideas. So much in the pipeline, so little time for a busy bee.

For now, not forever..

Love RVB xo

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

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