First Birthday

I don’t usually stagger and fall when leaving a party – well, not these days – but I certainly did this week after a meeting of my local branch of the Clandestine Cake Club. Could it have been the result of over-indulgence in a creation laced with alcohol? Sadly not, just my own stupidity when carrying too much to the car! Fortunately, I didn’t break any bones, just my lovely cake stand, but at the moment I feel rather sorry for myself with bruises, grazes and strains from head to toe. 

Who would have thought that baking could be so dangerous!

Anyway, our ‘First Birthday’ was a glorious evening and I hope enjoyed by everyone that attended. It doesn’t seem like a whole year has passed since we first met in May 2012 and I thought it would be appropriate to return to Jeyes in Earls Barton as the venue. Just as with our inaugural meeting, the Jeyes family surpassed their brief with the party tables bedecked with goody bags and ribbons, as well as a giant number ‘one’ balloon and a pretty birthday card for us all! They had prepared a variety of dainty sandwiches and served these with crisps from tiered stands before we delved into the fantastic display of cakes. It was almost like sitting in Betty’s tea room in Harrogate. 

Yorkshire Tea had also been very generous with their sponsorship of the evening and there was plenty of tea for everyone and some lovely Yorkshire Tea merchandise for a few winners. The Jeyes family and their miniaturist staff had also prepared a Yorkshire Tea display especially for us, and I can’t thank them enough for their continued support and generosity.

Our 18 birthday cakes were mouth-wateringly splendid – each one I sampled more delicious than the last and every one baked with imagination and skill.  It was so hard to know when to stop!  As you will see from a few of the photographs taken, all these confections came in a myriad of shapes, sizes, and flavours; all washed-down with brimming teapots of Yorkshire Tea. Yet another triumph for Northants CCC cake-makers!

Further pics taken on the night will be seen very shortly on www.clandestinecakeclub.co.uk.