When the chips are down...call on a baker

On Sunday evening we joined in the birthday celebrations of one of our English friends where it was decided to treat him to a rather special cake...of 'fish & chips'. It fell to Jean who as the founder of  the Loire Valley branch of the  'Clandestine Cake Club' was well qualified to create it - and what a great job she did...even down to her version of salt & vinegar,

Clandestine cake club...an open secret

The last time Pauline hosted the Loire Valley's 'Clandestine Cake Club' in our little house it was a bit of a squeeze but as it was July we were able to have the participants spill out into the garden. 

Agreeing to host in October may have been a bit of challenge but after a good number of people had confirmed their attendance we checked with Miki the owner of 'Le Bourg' if we could use the house for the afternoon and she generously agreed...

and it proved a good decision.

The theme for the event was 'If I knew you were coming I'd have baked a cake' 

As ever there was a very good selection of tasty gateaux .

Each baker had to say a few words as to why they had baked their particular cake as their 'signature bake'.Above is Jean , who started it all here in the Loire Valley, giving the history of her 'Guinness cake'.

As it happened we had a beautiful October afternoon for hosting,

Having your cake and eating it...

For Wednesday's Loire Valley Clandestine Cake Club event Pauline's cake proved a bit too much to handle.

She did however ask me to post a pic of it on Facebook...probably to prove its existence...but I think I showed it in a bad light, it was a mess but not as bad as it seems..

.

I  took another shot of it but actually it's still a mess...though still delicious.

For those of you salivating, it is a lime and pistachio cake with chocolate and pistachio shards.

The 'club' has been a big success here in the Loire Valley mainly due to the efforts of its founder Jean (Lacey) but also the many enthusiastic cake makers of the region.

Having your cake and eating it in the Loire Valley...

Pauline hosted the Loire Valley Clandestine Cake Club's latest get together and choose the theme ... 'novelty cakes'...

and my was there an impressive collection of tasty treats.

Knives at the ready!

Jean, who 'exported' the idea over to here in the Loire Valley was rightly proud of the groups achievements.