Sheffield 'Star', My Bake is Chocolate Heaven...

Evening my beautiful foodies,

Just a little update about my progress and this week has been quite busy - no change there! I was in the Sheffield Star Style supplement on Wednesday (see pictures below), featuring my Nan's chocolate yogurt cake, which I must say is pretty scrumptious! If you do fancy giving it ago, check out the video I did online at my University kitchen, giving you tips and step by step support in the kitchen.  Chocolate Yogurt Cake, RVB Style.

The videoing was rather daunting and me and George, my partner, found it a rather tight turn around. However, I have decided to step up a YouTube channel and plan on filming over the summer, for your enjoyment - so watch this space!

 Also, I featured in the 'My Guilty Pleasure' section. Obviously, my beautiful Candy Apple Red KitchenAid is my guilty pleasure and my kitchen's pride and joy. You could say I am one step away from taking it to bed with me! I don't like it being out of sight...

Plans to feature in future articles are in the making, so I will try and let you know before hand, so you can keep an eye out. If you make the cake, feel free to send in pictures (jessicaaleisha@hotmail.co.uk) or comment with your ideas and tips. I would love to give you my recipes, but that would be like giving away my business, but this beautiful cake, replacing butter with oil, natural yogurt and golden syrup, really is a tasty teatime treat.

After a week of poor back pain, I am starting to feel a little more optimistic. The future is always bright, if you look towards the sun :) ...

Keep calm and keep up to date with the daily Red Velvet Baking adventure...

Twitter @redvelvetbaking
Instagram @redvelvetbaking
Pinterest @redvelvetbaking (be nice, I'm new!)
Facebook: Red Velvet Baking

Much love, remember I'm the optimistic elephant ;)

Jessica,

RVB

xox

The Joys of June so far...

Evening my fabulous foodies, or should I say early morning!

More and more these days I'm turning into a night owl, the more work I get, the less sleep I seem to allow myself! BUT...the sun has had his little straw hat on, in the last two weeks, so I have made a little time to catch up with friends and utilise 'lunchtime', as me time. I cannot say I have tanned particularly, mind you!

Although I'm not quite this tiny...never trust a skinny baker ey!

I thought May was manic, but boy was I wrong! June is THEE month, I think, lots of time consuming tasks and tasters of whats to come.

The 1st June saw me off retail work, poorly with sinusitis and debilitating back pain, which sadly still has not gone! And really, nobody has time for that! Having an afternoon to try recover, I could not lay in bed and decided to work in my Pjs, as time is money in one view, but also time is lost, if not spent wisely.

Thursday brought the graduation party of Faye Smith, at Keep Your Fork's Brand Booster Bitesize course, which was fantastic. We shared delicious nibbles, including Jamie Oliver recipe burgers, in bitesize buns, and homemade Bakewell slices. It was a great chance to get to know a lot of the clients I do work on behalf of, but also to network with like-minded, enthusiastic people, willing to support and share ideas. Let's put it this way, I may have a fabulous wedding connection, as a potential chief supplier!! If you're looking for wedding planning in the North, check out Karen at Kurly Bird Events...

Faye, Mel (my new intern!) and I at the Graduation Event.

The following friday I got the chance to support Faye, from Keep Your Fork PR & Marketing, as she was nominated as a finalist for the Sue Ryder Award in business. It was an amazing experience, with over 650 women celebrating female entrepreneurial success and outstanding achievements, so uplifting and inspiring. Although Faye did not win her category, this time, she was still a winner in my heart, supporting and guiding not only myself, but many businesses in Sheffield and afar, helping them to succeed and achieve their dreams. I felt honoured to be invited and cannot wait to submit more entries for others that truly deserve the recognition.

Awards line up :) Faye in the RED!

Speaking of awards, the Guardian's Observer Food Monthly Award are taking nominations and I am greatly pushing to get my blog seen by more readers. I would really appreciate your support and encouragement, as without you guys, I'm just a lonely obsessed foodie! Sharing is caring and I do wish to give it back to you guys too! You can vote for my blog on...http://www.easyanswer.net/observer/ <3

To finish I'd just like to mention that I am featuring in the Sheffield Star's Style supplement tomorrow, with my Nan's famous chocolate yogurt cake! I have videoed myself baking it this evening and hopefully, with a touch of magic from my partner, the edited version will soon be online for you to see me in action!! I'll keep you guys posted.

Ciao for now foodies, 

Keep calm and remember to recognise and reward the worthy :)

Love and warm wishes, 

Jessica

RVB 

xox

Melodramatic May...

Evening my wonderful Foodie followers,

I hope you all have managed to make the most of the minimal sun May has offered this year, but both bank holidays at least were warm!

At this beginning of the month, 5th May, I turned my back on my teen years and embraced the years ahead, as a twenty year old. Scary thought, but the blossom in my front garden is beautiful! (See behind my head...)

 As it was MY birthday, I made chocolate fudge cake, as it's my ultimate favourite. I trialled some delicious Quark mixed cake pops and covered in ganache; perfection. I cored the cake and filled it with mini chocolate cupcakes, sprinkled with glitter and edged the base with caramel curls. My tasty little birthday treat, for myself! I did share it though, I'm not that selfish!

I got some fabulous presents, which were mainly, funnily enough, food related. Even my family understand my obsession. I got some topsy turvy tins, Red Velvet Cupcake wine, a new cupcake caddy and a gorgeous Le Creuset dish, of the boyfriend. Oh, and don't let me forget my NEW cake airbrush gun! My pink Dinkie Doodle, alongside my nerdy gifts,  including Alice in Wonderland psychologist essays.

I celebrated my birthday with family. My parents surprised me with a trip to a gorgeous Thai restaurant in Leeds, Thai Edge, after a Pink Princess champagne cocktail in Harvey Nichols. We finished the evening in the Skybar overlooking Leeds, two rather drunk ladies and too rather amused men.

The food was fantastic, soft lobster in noodles, thai green curry; just scrumptious. Everything was beautifully seasoned, lots of spice and full of flavour. I will definitely be going back!

 Above you can see the 'famous', as my mum would call it, Creme Caramel cocktail special, which was a pretty amazing drink. Smooth and silky on the palette and deadly alcoholic! I tried a pomegranate daquiri to finish too, see below. It was mind blowing-ly strong, yet subtly sweet, with a hint of sour lime. What better way to celebrate.

Apologies for the delay in my post, I have been a little ill these last few days with sinusitis and busy with a new influx of orders, the latter being slightly more exciting! I have applied to write for an online culture based magazine and have been working on my business model and developing new ideas. So much in the pipeline, so little time for a busy bee.

For now, not forever..

Love RVB xo