After nearly missing the train even though we were on the platform looking at it (I blame the 5:30am start). We had a pleasant journey to London. Excited chatter all the way down about what we thought it was going to be like and the things we just had to see and buy.Couldn't believe it when we got there. The amount of people streaming into Earl's Court for the 1st ever Cake and Bake Show. It may have something to do with the ever increasingly popular Great British Bake Off.
I'm looking forward to the semi final this week!
The plan of the day went out of the window.
It was overwhelming when we finally got inside. Not only the fact everyone was crammed at the entrance trying to get to the stands but just the fact we were actually here.If I'm honest ,and this is probably my only criticism. It could have been better organised and the space used better. The stands where tiny and very close together. For all at the far side of the hall there was masses of empty space. Couldn't quiet understand why everything was at the front near the doors. Maybe they will make more use of it next year.
It made it very difficult to see any demonstrations on the stands till later in the afternoon when people had started to leave and by the time we got to some of them they had sold out of most of their products. We were a little disappointed so we can only imagine how the majority of the late ticket holders were feeling when they arrived at 5pm to stands packing away.
The star baking attraction had to be Peggy Porschen's pop-up parlour. What an absolute delight with her on-site demos and book signings from the lady herself.
The Edible Beach Cake Competition was another highlight which had some fantastic entries across all ability categories these are just a few that stood out for me.
We were in sweet sugar heaven for most of the day and even caught a glimpse of some famous baking faces either demonstrating in the classrooms or just around their show stands. These included the baking legend Paul Hollywood and Cake Boy Eric Lanlard.
Annabel Karmel the leading expert and best selling author on baby and children's food & nutrition.
Last years Great British Bake Off winner Jo Wheatley.
Tom Herbert one half of The Fabulous Baker Brothers and Mitch Turner from Little Venice Cake Company.
I bought loads. It's hard not to when you are watching some fantastic demonstrations of kits and utensils some of which I didn't know existed. I will post my reviews on the things I bought as I use them otherwise this would be the longest blog post in history.
All in all we had an amazing day and was well worth the 7 hour round trip to get there. Looking forward to Manchester in April 2013!
Lots of sweetie love x
P.s Just quickly, I wanted to add I was wrong about this years winner of the bake off being at the show. But who will it actually be? Not long left to find out!
