in cahoots with others

I seriously never thought I'd ever write a sentence that included the phrase "cake porn". How wrong was I.

On Saturday I was lucky enough to grab a place on the @clandestinecake event held at @msmarmitelover's beautiful home. I trundled very happily across London, clutching my Red Velvet cake, in high anticipation of having a jolly good day out and I have to say I was not disappointed. Everyone who attended had taken the theme of Cake Porn to heart and we were presented with a dizzying array of chocolate, fudge, caramel, fruit, cream, cheese and all manner of other deliciousness.

There is something so appealing about a table groaning with food, and when the food is entirely made up of cake without so much as a nod to salad it creates a very warm and fuzzy feeling in the center of my being. Having said that, fruit was very much in evidence with a plethora of berries of every description. Somehow though, when they're in a mound sitting in syrup that is dribbling over the highest cheesecake I've ever seen, or nestling happily in a mountain of cream, there has to be an acknowledgement that maybe "healthy" isn't really a term to be bandying about at this event.

Over and above the sheer glory of cake, the social aspect of this event was a marvellous thing to behold. Milling about the room, coffee in one hand and plate piled high with sample slices, I was struck by just how much enjoyment all those in the room derived from baking and then talking about it afterwards. For me personally, there was an added enjoyment in hearing so many say that they had learnt baking from their Grandmother. I could do a whole blog devoted to the transition of crafts through the oral tradition. mmm. maybe I will.

Thanks to @MySecretTeaRoom for organising, for @MsMarmiteLover for hosting, and to all the wonderful bakers who provided such glorious cakes.

You can read more from MsMarmiteLover on her Blog the English Can Cook and also from MySecretTeaRoom on the Clandestine Cake Club site which also links to some of the recipes for the cakes that were brought.

My recipe for Red Velvet cake will be posted soon

One of the wonderful things about having an extended family in far flung places is when eventually you get to meet up with people there is the inevitability of presents. I have known for some time that my brother in law (Martin Glover) had made me a wonderful sculpture and had been admiring it afar via photographs, but it has finally made it to the UK.

Spent a lovely couple of hours in Pix, catching up with my brother, sister-in-law and friends over tapas and wine. Soaking up the bustle of Neal's Yard and opening up pressies that have amassed in the North of London over the last few months. Piece de resistance definitely the statue. An also slightly random pot of Chilli Bovril which will no doubt make it into an experimental sauce at some point.

Have had such a lovely couple of weeks with my mum. Been pootling round London, interspersing trips to the Globe with days in the kitchen, experimenting with cupcakes (My mum pictured here learning to swirl), exchanging recipes and generally enjoying ourselves.

On the cultural side, the main purpose of this trip was "doing" the Globe. Hamlet, Much Ado about Nothing and As you Like it. Of them all, I think the Hamlet production was the best. Thought the dynamic of the small cast sharing roles really worked well here. In particular the play within the play. Fabulous concept. As you Like it was certainly better than the production at The Old Vic last year, but it's really not my favourite play and having seen it twice recently I could have quite happily missed this one. Much Ado was delightful but not quite as slick as the Hamlet.

To add spice to the whole endeavour also took in The Comedy Store Players. This is the second time I've seen them at The Globe and have to say that I will happily return again and again for as long as they're doing it. As with the last time came out with aching sides and stomach from laughing continually for the entire duration of the show.

Of course it hasn't all been highbrow culture. We had a couple of fabulous meals at Le Pain Quotidien. I really love their menu, especially as a pre-theatre offering, and the new branch at Borough is so well placed. Also took in The Real Greek on bankside. I didn't like this franchise when they first opened up but I think they've upped their game considerably, and of course the introduction of vouchers doesn't harm the cause at all. And not forgetting my favourite restaurant of them all: Carluccios. I have been eating and drinking in Carluccios Market Place since they opened in 1999 and I never pass up an opportunity to introduce people to this marvellous cafe.

Very sad to see her return home, but launching straight into planning for the next visit.