Sunday 20 November 2011

Let's Make Christmas at Fabulous Fortnums!

On Friday I took part in an inspiring and fabulous food blogger's event at the iconic London shop Fortnum & Mason . It has been in Piccadilly since 1707, is the official grocer to the Royal household and is still a magical place to visit at any time - but particularly at Christmas, when the decorations are especially amazing and totally OTT...


this one is a view of the stairwell - I took it from the fourth floor....

The afternoon was organised by this wonderful woman...

Vanessa Kimbell . You may remember that I went to the launch of her recipe book, Prepped, back in June. She has ignited a campaign, via her blog and Twitter, to make this Christmas a largely handmade one...a wonderful idea in these difficult financial times - but not just for that reason. There is something so special about receiving a gift that someone you love has taken the time & trouble to make just for you! You can read all about (& join in with!) Vanessa's idea, and the details behind Friday's event on her blog.
I was quite apprehensive when I arrived at 3pm...making my way up the stairs to the top floor and trying to spot my fellow bloggers! I knew that a couple of people I'd met before would probably be going but, apart from that, the afternoon was largely an unknown quantity! We were each given a number for our entries/gifts and went into the beautiful private room that was ours for the next 3 hours. There were four tables for the different categories of presents...so I headed to place my offering amongst the others on the (heaving) baking one! Then time to get a cup of tea...
The Fortnum's colours are duck egg blue, gold & white....gorgeous. And the table set with goodies looked beautiful too...

love the silver sugar tongs...

the proper tea urns...



I avoided the chocolate and had my first mince pie of the season!
It was wonderful to find and chat with fellow tweeters & bloggers (we all wore labels with our Twitter & blog names) and get to know more about them....quite an experience! I also spent time looking at what everyone else had brought with them. The standard was incredibly high, and I found the level of creativity and effort involved quite moving...



I brought a little box of Clove Shortbread Snowflakes...

(I'll post the recipe nearer to Christmas) and Toasted Pecan Salted Caramel Brownie Cups (which I forgot to photograph...they were decorated with a gilded pecan & gold edible glitter!) I wrapped it all in cellophane and tied with seasonal ribbons..
When I saw the other entries, I knew that I wouldn't win - but I'm proud to say that I made it to the judge's tasting table!!
Ah, the judge. The fantabulous baker du jour - Dan Lepard. Author of one of my favourite new books on all things baking (reviewed a few posts back) Short & Sweet. Columnist and expert. Probably the highlight of the day was meeting and (later) chatting to Dan. He took the judging process extremely seriously and it all took quite some time...

But finally, the categories were judged and the prizes awarded. Many congratulations to the very worthy winners:
Urvashi for her Blackberry Curd
Jayne for her Damson Slivovitz
Snejana for her Mincemeat Pops and finally....
Claire who won not only best baked goods for her amaretti biscuits....but also Best in Show!! Many congratulations to her...I don't think I've ever seen anyone so shocked and delighted at winning!

Afterwards, several of us headed off for a well-earned glass of wine and more chatter...and some great gossip!
 I stayed in London overnight and after a quick breakfast yesterday morning at my local Nordic Bakery...

I headed off into the warm sunshine to do a little Christmas shopping. I couldn't resist taking a photo of the Christmas windows at Liberty...

always stunning!
Many thanks to Vanessa for arranging such a wonderful time for us all....I have the feeling that it's the first of many as it was so successful! But in the meantime, why not think about making at least some of your gifts this year? It can be nervewracking, but it's also fabulous fun...

Wishing you a wonderful week....mine is all set to be extra, extra special! More soon....xx

7 comments:

  1. What a beautiful start to the season..reminding us that homemade gifts of delicious foods are the best..safe travels tomorrow to you and Paul..I am sure good things are waiting for you on Spring Street.xoxoxox

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  2. Rachel,
    This is such a magnificent post---I have goosebumps with this one dearest!!! My oh my, what a past few days you've had--such well-deserved fun!!! How exciting to meet Dan and be able to chat and socialize with other like-minded bloggers....their extraordinary delights sound over the top for certain! Thank you also for sharing some of the sights you saw, like window shopping with you!! I hope the last remaining bits of your weekend are wonderful and that you are wrapped in joy and love all the week!!
    XOXO
    Joann

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  3. Oh, what a wonderful event, Rachel!!! And your snowflake cookies look so marvelous and the BOS in my book!! I just love seeing how others celebrate the season and now I am soooo ready to pop on a plane to London!! Sending you lots and lots of love this holiday, which I know will be extra, extra special, sweet lady!!! Hugs, kisses and peaceful happiness...Sherry xoxo

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  4. Hi, I didn't get to meet you on Friday, but like you was thrilled to be there, wasn't it wonderful? Your write up is super, and the photos really reflect the afternoon so well.

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  5. I feel like a little girl with my nose pressed up to a window on a magical Christmas world! I'd much rather have your snowflake cookies--or the fabulous salted caramel confections--than yet one more biscotti...but I didn't get to vote. Thank you, too, for my window on Liberty's. Those swans transport me into the Nutcracker! And the sparkles at F&M!! This week's baking needs to be all fall, squash and turkey and potatoes--but soon I'll get to jump off the high dive into Christmas! Hope you and Paul are snug at your parents. I'll be thinking of you tomorrow--safe travels! Know that you're on my Thanks-giving list! Happy SB visit! xoxo

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  6. Oh how super fun your event was. I would kill to go to an event like that. So much fun to see, taste and share it all. I will be making gifts again this year. Hope they're not a dud. Sending good thoughts right this moment about your flight. Hope fog blows away and you're flying with no problems. ♥

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  7. What a fabulous post. The whole day sounds fantastic and the photos are really special. Wish I could come down and see Liberty's window. They really do have some fantastic ideas. Take care x

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