Cool Britannia: Royal Wedding Cake Pops

Unless you've been living in a cave for the last few months, I'm sure you know that yesterday was the Royal Wedding.

I heard about Cake Pops, the latest food trend a few weeks ago and I've been waiting for an excuse to make them, so it seemed like the perfect event. I made cake pops with a Royal Wedding theme.

 The pops are made out of cakes coated in chocolate and decorated with icing. They were a little fiddly to make but I think it was worth it and everyone seemed to enjoy them while watching Kate and Will's big day.

Easter Cupcakes

Yesterday was Easter Sunday so on Saturday I got busy in the kitchen. I decided to make some Easter cupcakes to take to the family I would be visiting. I did a selection of designs, here's what I came up with...

This style was inspired by a nest

This one was modelled on the traditional Easter bunny

Easter Cake

I went to visit family during the week so I made a cake to take to them. I decided to do and Easter theme so I made a nest.

Steak al Pepe

Today I made pepper steak with a brandy and white wine sauce served with chips and salad.

Paella

I love risotto and last time I went to make it, we had paella rice instead of arborio rice. I'd never tried paella before so I thought I'd have a go at making it. After a bit of thought and some suggestions from my sister, I decided to make chicken and chorizo.

Rotary Young Chef Regional Final Continued

Here are some more pictures of my day at Rotary's Young Chef Competition.

My table setting in the middle

My Main Course

Collecting my certificate

Rotary Young Chef Regional Final!

So today was the big day, the Regional Final of Rotary's Young Chef competition.

I didn't get off to the best start when half way down the motorway I realised that I'd forgotten the only thing that I wouldn't be able to get anywhere... My chitarra. The machine that my Grandma brought me from Italy to make my spaghetti. Luckily Jamie Oliver came to the rescue as I remembered seeing him making spaghetti with a knife in his 30 minute meals series and though I'd never tried it, I thought it should work.

Things got better and apart from dropping one of my chocolate fondants, all went to plan when I started cooking.

In the end, the judges made their decision and I came 2nd, still a decent place as it's my first time entering. Unfortunately, only the winner goes onto the national final in London so my Rotary Young Chef 2011 journey ends here but watch this space as I'm sure I'll be entering again next year!

Here are some pictures with more to follow!

My starter and main after the judges had dug in.

My table and meal (Including my rescued fondant!)

My prizes, I look forward to testing out some of the recipes in the book!

My menu.