Mission Statement

Ok, first, background.

I'm a pastry person/cake decorator, for 10+ years. I've never been an official pastry chef in charge of stuff, but I've spent a decent amount of time working in hotels, restaurants, bakeries, and catering to have a good view round the industry. This isn't really going to be an industry blog though. I'm looking more for something that gets me baking and cooking on a regular basis at home.

I also want to keep and improve my palate, which is a fancy way of saying I don't want my taste buds to shrivel up and die a horrible, horrible death. These days I'm actually unemployed because I'm waiting on my spouse visa, but when I move I'll be a cake decorator. It's a fine and interesting way to earn a living, but it doesn't have as much variety in tastes as some others. I'm probably going to start on one of those cooking blog clubs. Even if my picky self doesn't like what I'm making, it's cool 'cause my husband and I have plenty of friends that will never turn down free homemade food. :)

Next, I know it says Jersey Girl in a London World up there, but don't expect to find much about UK people vs. US people. It's more UK stuff vs. US stuff, like how the supermarkets over there do super-premium ready meals, and store brand stuff in America is perceived as one step above government cheese. Or how British markets will sell you 115 kinds of jam, but you have to go to the internet if you want grape. I'm not here to make anyone feel/look stupid. I just like seeing how things are different.

Lastly, I'd like to demystify baking a bit. I can't count how many times people look at or taste something I've made and tell me they could 'never' do that! How lucky you're a professional! People think I know some secret they don't, and most of the time that's not true. You've been eating your whole life, you know what tastes good and what tastes like crap. Brits, what's the difference between Tesco's basic, Mark's and Spencer's luxury, and your grandmother's fruitcake? Which would you rather eat? Why?

When you see a cake I've iced with straight sides, that's a skill I spent time developing through practice. When you eat that cake and it's amazing, it's because I know what tastes good, and you do too. Tasting your food is key! With a little thought you can make a great version of anything that shows up on here. Tackle it a few more times and it'll be that much fluffier, or that much more pulled together, and look amazing too. You don't need fool-proof recipes because you're not fools. Cooking and baking aren't just about doing things by rote, they're about learning to trust yourself and your judgment.

So, to sum up, I'm going to post things, mostly about baking and cooking, sometimes about life in a different world, sometimes about both. You guys don't make fun of my writing, hopefully do make some of the stuff I post, and let me know if I get too ridiculous. Deal?