Make cupcakes not war......................

It's been a VERY busy week! A week of exhibitions, photo shoots and delivering on orders. Although I am very exhausted I am also very happy. On delivering the cupcakes above, I was described as the best cupcake maker ever by the client. They also said that my cakes are too pretty to eat. I hope the cupcakes exceed their expectations and lead to more orders and referrals for Elizabeth's Emporium. I am looking forward to the next few weeks when we'll be making more fabulous cakes so watch this space.

Continuing with the A to Z of Wedding Cakes series:

S for Size or Servings

The size of the cake should ideally be appropriate to the number of guests. So if you are expecting hundreds of guests, for instance, you will need several cake tiers. However, it is estimated that in any average wedding up 30% of your guests might not eat cake. For brides on a budget, to save money, you can be creative by serving the wedding cake as dessert or you can

copy a practice in the Phillipines and parts of China whereby a Styrofoam cake is hired for the cutting ceremony but a plainly iced cake is served to guests.



T for Tastings

Some wedding cakes can be a case of style over substance. It is important that your cake tastes as good as it looks. A good cake maker will offer you a tasting of a variety of flavours of cakes from which you can make your choice. At Elizabeth's Emporium, we offer up to six different tried and tested cake flavours and fillings. We would also suggest that you try and book your tasting session alongside the menu tasting at the caterers or your chosen venue. This will enable you determine which of the cake flavours compliment your menu the best.

Before I sign off, I will like you to please visit http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/bone-marrow/ sign and pass on a petition by the now world famous Adrian Sudbury to the Prime Minister. Adrian's dream before he dies is to change the education policy to require schools/colleges/other institutions to educate students about bone marrow donation. Please find it in your hearts to help make this courageous man's wish become a reality.

Have a lovely bank holiday!

Give a little

About a month or so ago, I read an article in a national newspaper about a very brave young man called Adrian Sudbury, who had been diagnosed with two forms of leukemia, making him a medical first (please read for yourself by visiting http://baldyblog.freshblogs.co.uk/).

Since then, I have been an avid follower of his blog, liking his natural and very inspirational style. A few days ago, he discovered that his bone marrow transplant has not worked and he has in his own words suffered a RE E E LAPSE. He has chosen to end all treatment and spend whatever time he has left with his family. He however has a mission and that is to get as many people as possible onto the national bone marrow register. I have been on the Anthony Nolan Trust register (http://www.anthonynolan.org.uk/) for the past ten years although I am yet to receive a call. I registered when I was working as a scientist at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children as a result of a plea for BME donors for a patient called Daniel De Gale. A couple of years ago, I met Daniel's mother at another bone marrow donor drive and she told me that Daniel was in remission and was about to go to university. She also checked to see if I was still on the register and indeed I was.

My plea is for more people to step forward and register. If a total needle phobic wuss like me can volunteer so can anyone. I pray that Adrian will recover and I hope that one day, scientists will find a cure for all forms of cancer.

On the 8th of May I was at the launch of Rachel Elnaugh's new book called Business Nightmares. It's one of the best business books I have read this year and I am now reading through it for the second time. She has shown tremendous strength of character by demonstrating dignity under fire and recovering from an enormous set back in her business life. I urge anyone in business or wishing to start a business to read this book.

We will continue with the A to Z of Wedding Cakes series next week.

The camera never lies

Why oh why can't I take a decent photo! This has been the bane of my life, considering how important decent photos are to my work. Anyhoo, I suppose I just have to keep on practising till I get it right. Another week of cakes, cakes and more cakes which is very good for us. Also, Elizabeth's Emporium got chosen from thousands of businesses for a pilot leadership programme sponsored by the London Development Agency. We are very grateful for the opportunity and also very excited and can't wait to get started.

As always, we continue with the A to Z of Wedding Cakes series below:

Q for Quality

You want you cake to accurately reflect your sense of style and elegance. When looking at wedding cakes, pay attention to important elements such as flavour options, and other details such as the finishing touches, how cakes are displayed and the accompanying accessories to ensure that they are what you require.

R for Reception

As the cake will take centre stage at the reception, discuss possible display areas and how the table will be dressed with your event planner or venue and cake maker. If for instance the cake will be iced entirely in butter cream for a summer wedding, it is advisable not to display the cake in a hot room or place it near a window. Also, placing the cake table next to the sound system may not be a good idea, as the vibrations could destabilise the wedding cake.