Baking at Crisis!!

My good friend, Sandra, asked if I would like to help out at the charity, Crisis, and I couldn't refuse - they do such brilliant work helping to re home and return people to the workplace.
I decided on scones for the baking workshop as they are simple but delicious and anyone can have a go.
We had a great couple of hours and I met some real characters!!!
Our finished were passed round the offices for all to taste and no one complained so I think it was a success.

The skylight cafe there is a fantastic place to meet friends and have lunch or just a coffee, right by Spitalfields market, and you'll be helping a great cause too!!

Nigel Haworth's Fantastic Food Show!

Well I'm back home from touring for a while and it's lovely!!
The day after I finished, June 12th, I went across the Pennines back home to Lancashire for a great food festival organised by Nigel Haworth and Craig Bancroft from Northcote near Blackburn ( a beautiful, michelin starred, restaurant and hotel).
I've known them both for years and have been going to Northcote since I was a child - I also had my wedding reception there.
Nigel asked if I fancied joining in at the festival and I said 'yes' straightaway as he wanted me to assist on a dish with their head chef, Lisa Allen who foodies all over the country will know from her fantastic performances on Great British Menu.
She was demonstrating the fish course from this year's programme - salt crusted sea trout stuffed with shrimps. It was absolutely gorgeous and , in my opinion , should have gone through to the banquet!!!
I rounded off the demo with Sticky Toffee Pudding, which went a little wrong but the audience always love that!, and then had a wander around all the great stalls selling local produce and spent a fortune!!

A fantastic day at Ewood Park football ground in Blackburn!