Fantasy Bakes

The story of Nell Gwyn was the Cinderella tale of its age, the actress who captured the heart of a King. Over 300 years of storytelling, Nell Gwyn has become something of a mythical creature with whom I am entirely fascinated. In this week’s episode of Fantasy Bakes, I tell tales of Nell Gwyn and exploring why her legend endures. Is there something in her story that is still relevant in the 21st Century?

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My opening remarks include the tale of this wonderful picture. It is a signed promotional shot by Anna Neagle in the title role of Nell Gwyn (Herbert Wilcox, 1934).

I’ve already made a cake inspired by King Charles II (and, arguably, every cake that I have made as Restoration Cake has a little of his influence). You can read all about it by clicking on the picture.

For Nell Gwyn, I would make a version of my Mint Chocolate After Dinner Tarte with the mint flavours substituted for orange flavours. This is easy enough to do – just switch out the Mint Oreos in the base for regular Oreos and change the mint extract for orange extract or Cointreau.

You can read the blog post that inspired this week’s podcast here: I Would Love to Bake a Cake for Nell Gwyn

Share far and wide and tell everyone that you know and don’t forget to let me know who YOU would love to bake a cake for on social media using the hashtag #fantasybakes

Stay gorgeous!

Cxx

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Groucho Marx may as well have been a blood relative – I saw more of him growing up than I did of many family members!

You think I am exaggerating? Ask my parents and my little Brother. We watched Marx Brothers films all the time and I have always found it difficult to share this passion with my peers as I understand how strange it was to be watching such old movies as a child. A few years ago, I attended a double bill of Marx Bros movies in a cinema – watching these with an audience of other people who laugh BEFORE the jokes, was a joy from start to finish.

Listen and subscribe to Fantasy Bakes on iTunes by clicking here.

Listen and follow Fantasy Bakes on Spotify by clicking here.

 

Old movies gave me my sense of style AND my sense of humour and it is this that I am grateful to Groucho Marx, and the Marx Brothers for.

I would love to bake a Red Velvet Cake for Groucho Marx and you can get my recipe by clicking here.

In the podcast, I mentioned a few clips which I would like to share with you if you have never watched a Marx Brothers movie before. Have a look at these…

That’s the benefit of working with your siblings, right there!

Here’s Harpo Marx doing what he does best…

OK, one more but I imagine the current President singing this song all the time.

You can read the blog posts that inspired this week’s podcast here: I Would Love to Bake a Cake for… Groucho Marx

and here: I Would Love to Bake a Cake for… All the Marx Bros Blondes

Share far and wide and tell everyone that you know and don’t forget to let me know who YOU would love to bake a cake for on social media using the hashtag #fantasybakes

Stay gorgeous!

Cxx

 

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Are you surprised that I am a fan of Lady Gaga? No, I thought not.

I admire hard work more than anything so, watching Gaga’s OSCAR acceptance speech, in which she reminded everyone at home that success needs working at, made me love her even more. Maybe it’s time to revisit those platinum bangs that I had in 2009…

Listen and subscribe to Fantasy Bakes on iTunes by clicking here.

Listen and follow Fantasy Bakes on Spotify by clicking here.

You can watch Lady Gaga’s acceptance speech here.

And you can watch Gaga slay the Superbowl here.

Yes Gaga! YAAAAAS GAGA!!!

You can read the blog post that inspired this week’s podcast here: I Would Love to Bake a Cake for… Stefani Germanotta

Share far and wide and tell everyone that you know and don’t forget to let me know who YOU would love to bake a cake for on social media using the hashtag #fantasybakes

Stay gorgeous!

Cxx

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In September 2012 the bones of King Richard III were discovered beneath a council car park in Leicester. This discovery has enabled us to look into the face of a man who has suffered from one heck of a bad PR campaign over the last 500 years. We are now able to reconsider the History books using all of the tools that modern science has provided.

This discovery was the result of historical research, and scientific knowledge imparted by many but the driving force behind making any of this happen was Philippa Langley of the Richard III Society. You have to be seriously bloody-minded to make something like this happen. Because of her dedication and determination we have been able to look into the face of the last King to have been killed in battle. Sorry, I should have said Philippa Langley MBE as her incredible work was swiftly recognised by the Queen.

Listen and subscribe to Fantasy Bakes on iTunes by clicking here.

Listen and follow Fantasy Bakes on Spotify by clicking here.

 

You can read the blog post that inspired this week’s podcast here: https://www.restorationcake.com/i-would-love-to-bake-a-cake-for-philippa-langley/

And I feel that I should add a few additional links for you to explore; you can visit the King Richard III Society here: http://www.richardiii.net

and the King Richard III Visitor Centre in Leicester here: https://www.kriii.com

Share far and wide and tell everyone that you know and don’t forget to let me know who YOU would love to bake a cake for on social media using the hashtag #fantasybakes

Stay gorgeous!

Cxx

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Can you be a true fan if you enjoy watching a tribute band? I love David Bowie and I love Absolute Bowie.

I believe that a good tribute band is a very good thing and that a great tribute band is to be cherished and enjoyed as often as possible.

There is a magic in live performance of music – now that David Bowie is gone, it cannot simply be over. What about the new fans? The ones that were born too late? Do we just shrug our shoulders and say ‘hard cheese’?

The link to the original blog post that inspired this week’s podcast is here: https://www.restorationcake.com/i-would-love-to-bake-a-cake-for-absolute-bowie/

And you can read about the time I baked a cake for Tony Visconti here: https://www.restorationcake.com/i-would-love-to-bake-a-cake-for-tony-visconti/

Don’t forget to subscribe to Fantasy Bakes on iTunes, adding a 5-star rating or a review if you are feeling generous, or follow Fantasy Bakes on Spotify if you prefer. Do both! Treat yourself.

Stay gorgeous!

Cxx

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In this week’s Fantasy Bake, I would love to bake a cake for Christopher Reeve AKA Superman. The two are entirely interchangeable to me.

I’m using my expensive film degree to express my adoration for Superman: The Movie (Richard Donner, 1978) and the man who will forever embody truth, justice, and the American way.

 

I think we all need heroes, especially ones who are so universally good, to help us be the best version of ourselves.

If you have never seen the movie that I bang on about for 20 minutes, you should click here right now…

 

The link to the original blog post that inspired this week’s podcast is here: https://www.restorationcake.com/i-would-love-to-bake-a-cake-for-christopher-reeve/

And I’ve also shared some love for Batman AKA Adam West here: https://www.restorationcake.com/i-would-love-to-bake-a-cake-for-adam-west/

Don’t forget to subscribe to Fantasy Bakes on iTunes, adding a 5-star rating or a review if you are feeling generous, or follow Fantasy Bakes on Spotify if you prefer.

Stay gorgeous!

Cxx

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The soundtrack to my adolescence and the last of the great British analogue music scenes, Britpop was a movement in which being a girl in a band started to feel normal.

I would love to bake a cake for… Louise Wener and the women of Britpop.

This podcast also features an interview with the legendary DJ, Steve Lamacq.

Strong female role models; may we have them, may we be them, may we inspire them.

Remember to subscribe to Fantasy Bakes on iTunes and give it a 5-star rating if you are feeling particularly generous.

Stay gorgeous!

Cxx

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It seems fitting to begin this podcast series at the beginning and begin where I began, with my very first Fantasy Bake.

I would love to bake a cake for… Nigella Lawson.

You can read the original blog posts that inspired this podcast here:

On Idolatry

I Would Love to Bake a Cake for… Nigella Lawson

On Idolatry Again

We all need someone to look up to.

 

Remember to subscribe to Fantasy Bakes on iTunes and give it a 5-star rating if you are feeling particularly generous.

Stay gorgeous!

Cxx

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It seems fitting to begin this podcast series at the beginning and begin where I began, with my very first Fantasy Bake.

I would love to bake a cake for… Nigella Lawson.

You can read the original blog posts that inspired this podcast here:

On Idolatry

I Would Love to Bake a Cake for… Nigella Lawson

On Idolatry Again

We all need someone to look up to.

Remember to subscribe to Fantasy Bakes on iTunes and give it a 5-star rating if you are feeling particularly generous.

Stay gorgeous!

Cxx

It would be rude to start a podcast without introducing myself properly, right?

In this introductory episode, I introduce myself and Fantasy Bakes in the hope that you will join me on this feeder’s flight of fancy.

Listen and subscribe on iTunes today to be the first to hear new episodes coming soon.

Stay gorgeous!

Cxx

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