SWEET ENDINGS – SOUTH AFRICA ONLY

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*PRICE INCLUDES COURIER FEE OF R100 – COUNTRYWIDE*

If I had to choose between a hamburger and a piece of cake, the cake would always win hands down. I am sure that I was born with a cube of sugar in my mouth. Of all the foods that I make, desserts, cakes and breads are definitely my favourites. I could easily bypass the starters and main course and go straight for the dessert. My late night treat is always some chocolate!

At a very early age, I was already pottering around the kitchen making anything sweet. Whenever my parents went out for the evening I was immediately ensconced in the kitchen making biscuits or crumpets or chocolate cake. I still have the original chocolate cake recipe that I wrote in my mom’s recipe book in my childish handwriting. It brings back such lovely memories looking at it.

As I was growing up, scones, crumpets and crunchies were always being baked and we always had large tins of biscuits in the kitchen in case visitors dropped by. I love a good home-made butt er biscuit – there’s nothing to beat it.
Some say that everything tastes better with butt er. That is definitely true. It also tastes better with Belgian or Swiss chocolate. I think it is so important to use the best quality ingredients – whether they are butt er, chocolate or even the freshest seasonal fruit.

It is always so rewarding to ice and decorate a cake and then serve it to oohs and aahs. I adore making creamy ice creams, the finest tarts or millions of layers of phyllo encasing a sweet filling. I love watching bread rise. Seeing the yeast at work is magical. I am sure that I could quite easily survive on only a slice of fresh, crusty bread and butt er but I am not sure I would with all these other wonderful temptations about!

And when it comes to pastries and desserts, the best thing is to lick the sticky bowls and beaters clean. Sometimes I think it is more satisfying to eat the batter before it is cooked than aft er and the more that is left on your face and fingers the better! So people who don’t bake are really missing out on one of life’s best – and most delicious – experiences.

I believe that you taste with your eyes first, that’s why presentation is crucial. Th e stunning photos in this book will give you an idea of how to display your creations even better and I also hope this book will inspire you all to rush into the kitchen and whip up some glorious desserts, cakes, ice creams or breads to feast on.