The Good Food Show Winter @ NEC

Firstly I need to apologise for the sheer lack of activity on our Honestly its Easy blog. Claire is so busy being a pro photographer and my little family/work life has been a super busy month of birthdays and umm..well..I don't actually know, it's just flown past!

It was that time of year again, this weekend, when Birmingham NEC hosted The Good Food Show Winter.
Packed with stalls a plenty, many giving away cheeky tasters it again was a fab day out.
My hubbie to be always enjoys checking out each and every whisky stall and insists on trying every one in every flavour, slowly sipping and admiring and making the right "mmm" sounds. He honestly thinks he's is some kind of whisky conniseur! Hmmm.....

My mum loves checking out ...well...pretty much every stall, which is fine by me, wouldn't want to miss anything now would we?
We personally loved the craft stalls and of course the baking ones! And I have to say the turkey roll we purchased from Kellys Turkeys was LUSH!
http://www.kellyturkeys.co.uk

Mum was also chuffed when we met Janet Basu & Mary-Ann Boermans from The Great British Bake Off and managed to get a pic with them too. (Unfortunately the pic is on my mums phone, so will add later!)
They were trying to recruit for new contestants for the next series, I reckon my mum should have a go personally, she makes awesome cakes, but she isn't quite ready for Prime Time she told me!!! ha!
I did still pick up an application form and thought the other half of Honestly Its Easy might want a bash at it? Claire - What do ya reckon???

All in all a fab day, managed to fill our little black trolley with items from spices & hot sauces to bee boxes & bark pencils for the boys!
I even visited one of the poshest portacabins I think i have ever had the pleasure of entering, it was like walking into a hotel bathroom! Even had hand lotion! http://www.andyloos.co.uk I salute you! I was very impressed!

Did anyone else manage to attend? What did ya think? What was your favourite stall or show?

Mel
@Tikobear
@Honestlyitseasy
http://www.quidco.com/user/1443956

The Great British Bake Off Final!

So last night saw the final of this years Great British Bake Off. If you’ve not been watching this series, you’ve missed a treat! To summarise 12 amateur home bakers take part in a bake-off to test all of their baking skills as they challenge each other to be win the title of the Great British Bake Off’s best amateur baker, they cook anything from classic Victoria sponges to pastries, to bread. I’ve loved every minute of this programme it’s been even better than the first series!

Big Congratulations to Joanne Wheatley who won the title last night but congratulations also has to go to Mary-Anne Boermans and Holly Bell the runners up. Personally I thought Holly was the winner but it was a close call.

Recipes from the contestants on the series can be found on the website http://www.thegreatbritishbakeoff.com/recipes/

You can view Joanne Wheatley’s blog, Jo’s blue AGA, at http://josblueaga.blogspot.com/.
You can follow Joanne Wheatley on Twitter: @joannewheatley

You can view Holly Bell’s blog, Recipes from a Normal Mum, at http://recipesfromanormalmum.blogspot.com.
There you can view her latest postings, beautiful celebration cakes, recipes and reviews.
You can also follow Holly on twitter: @HollyBellMummy

You can view Mary-Anne Boerman’s blog, Time to Cook Online, at http://timetocookonline.com/.
Follow Mary-Anne on twitter: @wotchers

There is also an Official Book to accompany the series

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1849902682/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thegreatbri00-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1849902682

It’s definitely on our shopping list!!

All the Best!

Happy Baking!!

Claire
Xx

Twitter:
@CropredyChicken
@Honestlyitseasy
@steelsyrockitup

TV Cookery Shows ....

Hello!!!

This blog s all about whats on the tv at the moment because I don’t know about anyone else but I am pleased as punch that ‘The Great British Bake Off’ is back on BBC 2. For those who didn’t see the last series the new series can be summarised as follows; twelve of the country's best amateur bakers take part in the second series of The Great British Bake Off, hosted by Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins.

In this weeks episode the contestants make cupcakes, tiered cakes and Battenberg cake (Mary Berry’s recipe). Ever since watching the first episode last night I have been craving coffee and walnut Battenberg cake! You can view the episode here;

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b013pqxw/The_Great_British_Bake_Off_Series_2_Episode_1/

In Mel and Sue you also have the perfect presenters – I can’t imagine any other paring doing such a great job!

Via the official website www.bbc.co.uk/food/campaigns/get-baking they are also encouraging people to get baking “its a great way to raise money for BBC Children in Need, so put on your apron for Pudsey and find out how you can help make a difference. Mary Berry answers your baking questions and you can download posters and bunting for a bake sale.”

The other BBC programme I have loved (unfortunately it’s finished now) is Rick Stein’s Spain, fortunately for all those who missed this absolutely wonderful series all of the programmes can be seen via the BBC iplayer

www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b012m958/Rick_Steins_Spain_Episode_1/

I was lucky enough to be taken to Rick Steins restaurant in Padstow for my 30th Birthday this year and have to say I think he’s a bit of a legend!

I also caught Mexican Food Made Simple last night, again this is a new series Thomasina Miers presents on Channel 5, some great recipe ideas and the filming is very well executed.

So what shows are everyone else watching and loving?

Claire
Xx

Twitter:
@CropredyChicken
@Honestlyitseasy
@steelsyrockitup