We’re easily influenced when it comes to food holidays. When we heard it was National Chip Week in March, we spent our lunchtimes doing taste tests at our locals – the Fox & Anchor and The Old Red Cow. (The massive crunchy chips at the Fox were the overall winner). We feasted on tender spears during Asparagus Month; went meat-free for National Vegetarian Week; and wisely ignored Caesar Salad Day. What’s next? British Cheese Week, National Chocolate Week, Homemade Bread Day – where will it end?!
But where do these national foodie holidays come from? Who starts them? National Cupcake Week (14th-19th September) seems to be one of the few with a definite origin – in this case, British Baker magazine. On their website, they explain that it’s the first of its kind and it was organised to celebrate the growing popularity of cupcakes in the UK. Well, fair enough – we didn’t really need an excuse to eat cupcakes but we’re happy to join in.
If your baking skills aren’t up to scratch, you can get your cupcake fix at the Primrose Bakery in Covent Garden; Hummingbird Bakery; and the ever-fabulous Bea’s of Bloomsbury. Bea’s goodies – including her blondies, brownies and marshmallows – are now available at Selfridges so you can stock up on calories and couture in one place.
Luckily for us, the city-eating baking goddess took home Jamie’s America this week and made enough red velvet cupcakes to feed an army. Don’t they look great? The unusual addition of bicarb and white wine vinegar made the deep red sponge deliciously light and airy, while the lemon and cream cheese icing was good enough to eat by the spoonful. We’ll be trying out some of Saint Jamie’s savoury recipes over the weekend so stay tuned for a full review.
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