Christening Event - Cakes & Decorating the Venue

For a recent baptism party held at The Yorkshire Grey Pub in Holburn, London I provided range of sweet treats. A 3 tier Classic American Vanilla & Strawberry shortcake with naked buttercream finish, 24 chocolate & raspberry cupcakes and a few trays of Fudge Brownies. I also had the pleasure of decorating the space with balloons and flower arrangements.

I have catered & planned many events in venues across London over the past 10 years since I left NYC. I love the character and history that you find in so many spaces across the capital, but by adding chic small touches it makes them look even more stunning.

 

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All American Birthday Cake

Straight Up American! For an American birthday gal! happy Birthday Marisa. If you are nut lover this would be the cake for you, unfortunately if you have a nut allergy I would advise you to keep a few miles away...

"I had a cake made by NYLO and it was AMAZING!!! So moist and delicious and fresh...I had a Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Cake...the absolute best cake I’ve ever had the pleasure to eat...and on top of that, Irene did everything to our specifications...I won’t go anywhere else for my homemade bespoke cakes...Thank you, Irene and NYLO Pantry Xx"

 

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A Taste of Home Series: Chocolate Chip Cookies

Every now and again I get that sense of homesickness, family, friends, NYC's charms , but mainly the food... oh the food! So I felt like the best way to get through this homesickness was to create a series about all my favorite delicacies of home. So what better way then to kick start it with the all American Chocolate Chip Cookie. Everyone has a different opinion on how they should be, hard, but chewy in the center, well done and crispy or soft and gooey... well whatever the preference there is no denying how comforting taking a bite out of one is! I prefer them nice and crispy with the slightest of chew... here is my recipe for you to enjoy! 

Side Note: This recipe is easy and can definitely be lots of fun to do with little ones!! Let them measure out the ingredients and pour them into the mixing bowl, my son particularly loves changing the settings of speed. Also folding in the chocolate chip cookies is so delightful for them! Plus a little taste of cookie dough! Great family fun :)

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RECIPE:

Ingredients:

150g unsalted butter

80g soft dark brown sugar

80g golden castor sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 lg egg

225 plain flour

1/2 tsp bicarbonate soda

pinch of salt

200g semi sweet chocolate chips or chunks

Method:

Preheat oven to 190C or 170C fan assisted oven

1) Cream butter and sugars in a mixing bowl for 3-4 minutes, until a pale fluffy color and consitency

2) Beat in the vanilla extract and eggs, wipe down the mixture to ensure well combined

3) In a separate bowl sift the flour, bicarbonate soda and salt together, pour into the sugar/ butter mixture until well incorporated

4) Once everything is well combined, fold in the chocolate chip cookies with a wooden spoon

5) Use a table spoon to scoop out the sizes of perfect cookies onto a parchment paper lined tray. Separate them enough to allow them to grow

6) Should cook for 10-12 minutes depending on the size of the cookies, as well as how you like them cooked, for a crispier texture allow another 3-5 minutes

 

Rugby Player - Birthday Cake

I recently was asked to create a Rugby themed birthday cake for a 40th Birthday. This was a 9" 3 layer chocolate cake with vanilla filling. Covered with a green fondant and decorated with the Birthday Boy diving to score a try.

“I ordered a cake from Irene for my husband’s 40th birthday lunch and we were so happy with the cake! All our guests loved it - it looked and tasted great! Irene was also fantastic to deal with, always quick to respond and very helpful. Would totally recommend!”
— JF (December 2017)
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The Gruffalo - Birthday Cake

A Gruffalo? What’s a Gruffalo? Happy 2nd Birthday to little Bobby! 3 layer Chocolate Cake with vanilla buttercream and raspberry jam, Gruffalo figure created with fondant.

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“The cake was fantastic, it went down very well!! Bobby loved the gruffalo on top, it was perfectly moist””
— L L (November 2017)

Luca's 4th Baaa-Day Birthday Party Cake

Luca's favourite animal are sheep, so what better way to celebrate a 4th birthday than with a sheep party! Everyone has their party hats on and even one sheep is trying to escape the pasture to join in the fun! 

This is a 3 layer chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream centre and a vanilla buttercream icing on the exterior for the pasture. Lots of fondant fun! Absolutely loved the fact they were thrilled with the result!

Dairy Free Carrot Cake

I've always love getting into the kitchen and testing out new variations of my best loved recipes and create them  as "free from" for those who have dietary requirements... and let me tell you this was more delicious then the I could have ever expected! Went down a winner :)

4th of July Cheesecake

Always miss home this time of the year. BBQs and 4th of July pool parties are a bit thing, so what better way to feel part of the fun and bring a bit of nostalgia when homesick than with a lovely Red White and Blue inspired cheesecake and of course a BBQ with close friends! 

Lilly's 3rd Birthday

A busy week was capped off with a double bake request for Lilly's 3rd Birthday party. The dinosaur themed cupcakes I did for William's 3rd birthday were requested for the 2nd time this month - kids love dinos!!

 

In addition, there was a request for a  10" New York Cheesecake with whipped cream top and summer berries for the adults, we can't just let just the kids have all the treats!!

Double Chocolate & Strawberry Cake

Strawberries and Chocolate - two of my favourite things in life..... 

Apple Crumb Pie

Autumn is my favourite season of them all. Back home i spent many a September heading out to upstate New York to pick apples and other seasonal fruit on the family run farms we frequented every year.  I have been known to complain about the lack of decent foods here compared to the US but the UK wins when it comes to Apples, they have a crisper bite and their texture is perfect for baking. 

We now have made it our Family tradition every year to pick fresh apples at the local orchard in the Cambridgeshire village where Paul grew up. This year we made this delicious Apple Crumble Pie - a mix of both traditional pie bottom and crumble top - perfect with vanilla bean ice cream.

William & Pearl's Animal Birthday Party

Best Buddies William & Pearl had a party to celebrate their 2nd birthday, and all their friends were invited. The animal themed cupcakes were a hit with the kids (and the adults as well).