A new kind of beach bag

On Friday night we set off to Wales. To the Gower Peninsular to have a beach weekend and do some food photography on the beach. What more could a recipe writer need than three hungry children, a beach and a strapping husband to carry the picnic. The shots were going to be romantic, perfect sandwiches, divine chocolate cakes, steaming hot chocolate and wholesome chicken pasties all being eaten by smiling happy clean children on a sunny beach.

In the first instance I forgot to pack the picnic hamper. No plates, cups, knives, forks or spoons. Never mind. In the second instance the first day was pretty much off for pictures. It was grey, and the children, who were beside themselves with excitement would not sleep in the car. It was 11pm by the time we checked in the B& B. Saturday was not going to be smiley happy children.. it was grumpy, winey horrid too tired children not fit for a photo… I began to wonder if this was a good idea!

Fortunately the next day the sun and smiles came out after a good nights sleep. We really did spend a delightful Sunday on the beach at Port Eynon

The authentic setting for the food shots made photographing more than a little hazardous. There was sand in almost everything. My son particularly enjoyed the crunch texture asking if we could take some sand back to season his jam sandwiches at home. The lighting was harsh. Full sun, followed by clouds ensued by intense bursts of sun. My aperture and speed settings swung from one end of scales to another in seconds. The wind blew the napkins everywhere. The children kicked sand in the pasties. Husband shouted at them. I dropped the cake. My youngest fell head first into a rock pool. Luckily I was photographing the cardamom hot chocolate and a steaming sweet mug cup saved the day turning a cold wet child and buckets of tears back into smiles again.

It occurred to me that perhaps I should shoot some of the food shots in a more controlled environment at home. I filled a bag with sand, pebbles, seaweed and shells. Aside from carrying Isobel on his shoulders, three baskets, two fishing nets and a rugby ball back my husband also had to cart a large holder of welsh beach back to the car, whilst I quipped about it being a beach bag.

Now all I need is some proper sunshine and to mock up the beach on the patio at home and when the photos are done my son can season his sarnies with the leftover sand.

How to treat your booksellers

Over the past week or so it occurred to me that whilst I am developing a recipe and having to make it over and over to get something right I often end up with a stack of yummies left over. Now I am not one to let things go to waste and whilst in Waterstones in Midsummer Place in Milton Keynes a few weeks ago it also crossed my mind that perhaps the very people who will sell my book in May next year might like to try some of the food. I do love book sellers. They are a wonderful resource, and over the coming months I think they may well come to be fond of me too, as I rock up like little Red Riding Hood with baskets full of goodies that have to be eaten!

So far in the past two weeks I have delivered a Chocolate and Lavender Cream cake to Northampton Waterstones and a Double Chocolate Meringue Sandwich cake to the large Midsummer store in Milton Keynes. Tomorrow I need to buy some food and will go shopping as it is set to rain in the afternoon. I have a photo shoot in the morning with Bunny and being as I intend to be in Market Harborough anyway I shall drop in to the book shop and leave some Lavender Shortbread before I head off to food shop. The real question is can I make it out without buying another recipe book?

Today I made a tonne of shortbread. It is Lavender Shortbread. Buttery, firm crunch with a melt in the mouth texture and a dusting of lavender sugar. I also have been taking photo’s with my new camera. I have bought a Nikon D3000 and a really super duper macro lens. It was quite a cost and to funds the lens I had to sell some bits. Firstly I went to a we buy gold shop and sold some old 1990’s gold hooped earrings. I found myself feeling like a dodgy dealer selling my loot!

Nevertheless, that got me £80. Then I said a heartbreaking goodbye to a camera and some lenses I have had for over 12 years and I learnt to take pictures on. My old Cannon AE1 has hopefully gone to another student somewhere. Still I played for an hour this afternoon with my new camera and finally my confidence is returning. I think the pictures look as good as the food, and I’ve forgotten all about my old camera already.

One Year to Write a Recipe Book

It is Thursday 6th of May 2010 and yesterday I decided to stop work and write a recipe book.

Why?  Well I suppose that I just feel that there must be more to life. It's a huge financial decision and my husband and I have talked through the cost of doing this. This is going to be the biggest gamble I've ever taken and I wonder where I will end up?

So this is the very start of my adventure. I have butterflies and twizzles beading around my tummy. I have no idea what the future holds .. and what the inevitable ups and downs will be of taking this idea and turning it into reality.

Actually I have no idea where to start. I bought a book about writing a recipe book that and read that blogging will improve my chances of getting published. So I googled the word blog, found this here Blogger site and here I am. Am I improving my chances of getting published?

Is it working ?

What made me decide to to write a recipe book ?

Well the thought process started as I was watching Sophie Dahl.. or rather standing up and shouting, whilst pointing at the television much to everyones surprise in the room - she totally maddened me with her terrible kitchen skills. I told my friend Gill, who then said hoiw strange I should be maddened by her as she found me rather like Sophie. Well that stopped me dead in my tracks! - Fortunately she went on to explain that her comparison was due mainly to the fact that I am so bubbly - and that is true. I could see her point then.

Yes Sophie's style is cute, some of her recipes are lovely and she clearly has an army of helpers, however, I know am far better cook than she is. ( Having trained and worked as a chef from age 18 - 24.) So if she can do it then certainly so can I. Also I have the added benefit of understanding real life. I have three children under seven. No assistants. no photographer, no cleaner and my fan on the oven is broken .. so I ran the idea past my sister, Fleur. Her main reservation is that I am far too much like Nigella. She suggested that I dumb it down a little. Yes yes I can see that .. yo yo recipes in the hood darling.

According to what I have read so far I have to find a publisher, an agent, develop recipes, test them, write recipes, and then become well know enough for people to want to find out more and buy the book. 

I have to come up with original dishes. Trust me this is going to be fun and frustrating. I have a photographer Tony coming to take photos of the first five recipes on Tuesday, he is coming along as a favor.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. I am giving up a whopping salary in something I am really good at, but since the very first moment I decided to do this it felt right. I know this is going to be a success. I can feel it. I can change my world. 

However a dash of this a splash of that, thrown in a chug and ounce and a couple of grams, is not going to work here. It’s about precision. .. not my forte. I am creative. An artist in the kitchen. It’s instinct. How do you write down the instinct?

I know that in reality I am actually writing this to myself right now .. but if anyone else is reading this .. I will keep posting.