The Bake Off has a lot to answer for. When I was practising in 2011 the only books I could find on the subject were either very much written for the home cook or professional text books full of science, that whilst interesting (well to me) was something I just didn’t have time for. I was busy making 1000 croissants to prepare. Mich Turner’sCake School book sits between the two.
The book could be described as much like GBBO – it takes you on a journey. First off we start with lots of basics on ingredients. The seasoned cake bakers will know this lot already. Then we move onto some quite homely cakes – with an emphasis on fruit and vegetables. There’s a retro pineapple upside down cake, coffee hazelnut roulade and an orange chiffon cake.
Soon there’s advice on splitting and icing cakes with buttercream, jam and curds. How to make a shiny and stable ganache. Step by step instructions on piping cupcakes, royal icing and intricate wedding cake style detail. Hands up a lot of these type of cakes feel dated to me now. I’m a big fan of rustic cakes and very simple decoration. But these intricately iced cakes aren’t there for us to copy perfectly, they’re more a guide to use for inspiration.
There are sections throughout on what could have gone wrong which are very useful. Also sections on ‘what not to do’ and ‘Mich’s tips’ – all full of useful advice with sanitised science to explain why we should or shouldn’t do something.
Photography wise the style is very close up, not overly dressed and reminds me a little of Usbourne books from my childhood. But then this isn’t a lifestyle book. I don’t want to be Mich. I would like an ounce of her cakey skill though.
I have 2 x £30 (RRP) Mich Turner’s Cake School books to giveaway to two people. There are lots of ways to enter – see the Rafflecopter form below. The first way is just to leave a comment on this post. Easy peasy. Closing date 12th December 2014. How to enter:
- Complete the Rafflecopter form below to confirm your entries made via blog comments, Twitter, Facebook etc.
- This giveaway will close on 12th December 2014.
- Please read the rules below.
- Winners are announced on the Rafflecopter form after the prize has been claimed by the winner.
- First timers: Please watch how Rafflecopter works (video)! It is 46 seconds long. It explains everything.
- If no form is showing, hit refresh and it should appear.
- Complete the form – or your beloved entries will not go into the draw. And that would be such a waste of time.
- Mandatory entries need to be completed first – so leave a blog comment before you try and complete any of the other methods of entry.
- Want more chances to win? Come back daily after tweeting about the giveaway and fill the form in again.
- If you are viewing this by email you will need to click through to enter.
Rules and things:
- Open to anyone over the age of 18, UK only. Sorry to anyone younger or further afield.
- There are 2 x Cake School books RRP £30 to giveaway to two people. There’s no cash alternative to the prize and the prize is not transferable. No part or parts of the prize may be substituted for other benefits, items or additions.
- Instructions form part of the terms and conditions. Entries using any software or automated process to make bulk entries will obviously be disqualified. The winner will be picked at random using software and then contacted by email. If you win and then don’t respond to this email within 7 days then another winner will be picked so check your emails and your spam! The goodies will be delivered to the winner as soon as possible after you have sent me your delivery address.
- I am running this giveaway on behalf of Jacqui Small who will be responsible for sending the prize to you by post should you win. Their decision is final and binding and no correspondence will be entered into.
- This is where I get all stern – please don’t say you have liked the post and followed me on Twitter and Tweeted away like a Tweety thing if you haven’t as guess what? If you win I will check you did do the things you said you did. It’s only fair after all. And I do like fairness.
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