Filming and four year olds

I'm delighted to say after submitting my application, I was asked to audition for Chelsea New Zealand's Hottest Home Baker! The audition was a fantastic experience...but sadly, not one that I'm at total freedom to discuss.

But I am allowed to say it was a blast. I was the very first of approximately 70 people who have been asked to audition. The fact that I've even put myself in the same league as 69, no doubt, accomplished and articulate bakers, makes me cringe slightly. Once I got on that beautiful pink, black, silver and white set kitchen with the mikes and cameras and lights I realised I wanted to enter this competition more than I thought I did! Must be my inner drama queen fighting to get out. In hindsight, I wish I'd been a little more extroverted and arrogant - goodness knows I'm capable of both! - but we'll just have to wait and see. Here I am on the set (yes, I had no shame in asking the people auditioning me to take my photo; I never claimed to be cool...)

I really, really want to post pictures of the baking I prepared (one sweet dish, one savoury dish and one "uniquely me" dish), of which I am immeasurably proud...but this is a no go apparently. Fair enough.

The audition came at a crazy time. Dan's four year old birthday was the day before. It seems birthdays are no longer confined to just the day itself. No, no - we were on morning tea duty at Playcentre on Tuesday (cue: birthday cake 1), pre-school cake - lest they are forced to face the shame of a playdough cake! - (cue: birthday cake 2) and finally the party (cue: birthday cake 3). I'm making it sound like a chore - it wasn't; it is an utter privilege to make birthday cakes for my kids. As a mother and a baker, for me, birthday cake construction it is one of life's better tasks! Here are the cakes...

 

That's it for now - TTFN x

The hunt for NZ's Hottest Home Baker has begun!

So there I was, Thursday night, half watching some average film on telly, half randomly liking people’s kids and holidays on facebook, when a TV advertisement caught my attention...the ad calling for contestants for TV3’s Chelsea’s New Zealand’s Hottest Home Baker 2013. I’d almost forgotten my original goal of applying for the competition but even the ad made me tingle (and how many ads do that to you these days – aside from that new Westpac one!) so I must still have lurking in me somewhere the drive to enter.

My next job for tonight, after posting my blog entry of course, is to apply. Naturally I’ll be submitting this blog as proof of the pudding (or rather cupcakes, naan bread and roulades) along with a very cheesy video clip of the kids helping me make bread.

I’ve been back in birthday cake bake mode lately. Labour weekend saw two grandparents hit phenomenal ages. As the official family cake baker (to be honest I’ve always made the cakes, but previously in a more unofficial capacity) I was assigned birthday cake duties.

First up was Pop’s birthday. Lemon sponge cake with an attempt at decorating like a parcel. Still plenty of practice required but at least I’m veering away from fondant roses! Dear Pop, he was still recovering from a nasty fall, hence his bruised face.

Sorry Dad - had to be done!

Then was Granny’s (or GG – Great-gran – to the kids) birthday. I opted for a black forest sponge for her cake... a creation that was somewhere between a Victoria sponge and a gateau and involved a lot of kirsch – a yummy cherry liqueur (hooray for parents’ random and well-stocked liquor cabinets).

 And that’s been it for the moment. Of course if my application for NZHHB gets accepted, prepare for this blog to be ramped up a notch!

Wish me luck!

TTFNx