New Weekly Feature(s)

Now that I've got some more time, I'm going to be posting a lot more. I'm hoping twice weekly but as my job is quite demanding and with me going on holiday soon AND starting another patisserie course, it may be once a week. But hey, I'm well organised so at least once a week should be do-able. 

This is the introduction post to two brand new weekly features: Penny's Top Ten! and Fat Fridays! (Aren't you that excited? What do you mean 'no'?! GO SIT IN THE CORNER!)

Lets start out with Fat Fridays. I'm giving full credit to one of my work colleagues, Lucy Madz, for coming up with the name. (She calls it Fat F**k Fridays but since I've got a varied age range of readers, I'm keeping it clean) Once a week I'll be posting a recipe of something indulgent, yummy, and just, for one day, if you follow a healthy diet, tossing it out of the window. Here is week 1, week 2, and week 3 Fat Friday so far. Which features Raspberry Roulade, Doughnuts and French Toast. 

The second feature I'd like to introduce to you which will be making a weekly appearance is Penny's Top Ten! To break up the masses of recipes on here, this weekly feature will be a list of 10 points on any subject. I'm thinking for the first week maybe something related to a graduation since I've fully graduated like ohhh 3 weeks ago? Still haven't done a round up of it yet. But that's the joys of working full time, you don't get tons of time to blog!

Stay tuned for more in the coming weeks

Businesses v.s Bloggers (Two News Articles that Made Me Face-Palm)

I came across this news article a couple of days ago and I could not help but laugh a little at how face-palmingly silly some people can get. I'm thinking of doing some restaurant reviews myself soon, so I really want to vent my own feelings on reviews.

Basically, the first article is about a UK based blogger who posted a bad review about a shoe shop in Ireland. The bad review itself was the second link after the shoe shops homepage on Google and of course, the owner of the shoe shop was outraged and claimed that if had affected his business. He could not produce any evidence that he was affected financially, however. The end result was that the shoe shop and blogger did resolve the issue, but a link to a forum where the shoe has been slated is still searchable on Google. I'm happy that the issue was resolved to a certain degree...

And then I found this other link, again on the BBC news website.
A French blogger was fined [!!] because her bad restaurant review was "too prominent on Google". The restaurant owners claimed that the review was financially hurting their business.

So many things to vent, about both articles! But mainly the second one.

Image from: brandeducationservices.com

Firstly about both articles, was the service at the shop and the restaurant that bad? I mean that bad, that you needed to write a scathing review about them? This could have all been avoided if the bloggers took a step back and went: "Is what I'm saying necessary?" In this day and age, one crappy review can indeed affect a business. Look at the reviews on TripAdviser or Yelp, some are helpful and honest. And there are some are just that so outrageously bad and harsh that you can't take them seriously. This is a classic example, I recently read a restaurant review that had 4 stars on Tripadvisor, but failed to met that 5th star because it had a view of the highstreet... The restaurant address is on the highstreet, that can't be helped...think before you write.

Most professional bloggers or reviewers, I'm sure know how to write a critical review without being rude or disrespectful.

In saying that however, if a restaurant or a shop etc, did have a bad food/service/whatever, then fair enough. Bloggers should be able to write whatever they want to without being punished for honest opinion. I'd like to think that all bloggers are open and honest enough to write a decent and balanced review, whether the blogger is nice or not. Damaging a business owners' ego is not a crime.

The fact that in the second article got taken to court and fined for an honest review is, ridiculous. Her review was popular on search engines. She should not be punished because its popular on the internet. What would happen if, every single bad review ever typed, got challenged and taken to court? It would be a waste of time and money. Rather then taking on bloggers and critiques', isn't it better to improve on what they were commenting on in the first place? Is it not better to look in on a business and think "Ok why did they say this about my business? Is there something I can improve on?"

I think what I'm trying to say that, rather then placing blame one party, blaming a bad review, a judge, the business owners, the bloggers, whoever! There are lessons to learn from both articles:

• Never underestimate the power of the online world, it can make or break you.
• Bloggers have got be as honest as they can be without completely trashing a place and ruining its reputation or compromising their writing.
• Business owners, if you get a bad review on Yelp (/insert other reviewing website here), respond in a respectful way. Really think about the comments and take some time to think how you would respond. You want to remain the professional business person you are.
• Again business owners, if your doing a good job and 99.9% of your customers are happy, one review will not 'financially ruin' you.
• Also, not everyone is going to like you. Blogger or business owner. The fact is there will always be a professional complainer out there, who is ready to tear you a new one. Respond politely and professionally.

But what do you think of the articles? Should bloggers and reviewers be more considerate towards hard-working business owners? Should search engines be blamed? Are these business owners taking these reviews to heart? or are they really being affected financially?
I'd love to hear you thoughts on this venting post, so leave a comment below.

Welcome to the New Site Design!

As you may have already seen, Cupcakes, Cake and Passion has had a little revamp!

(cue a celebratory sable biscuit and a cup of tea!) 

The layout is clean, clear and much more easier to read with some simple yet bright colours. There maybe some tweaks and changes over the coming weeks. If you lovely readers don't already know about the blog improvement survey, then what are you waiting for?
Basically, I want to know what you ladies and gents want to see from the blog. Whether its more cooking recipes or reviews, I really would like to know to improve your reading experience. 
So please take less than 5 minutes to take the survey to make this blog more smexier, tastier, yummier and fabulous-ier!

Whatever Happened to that Leftover Pumpkin? Pumpkin Spiced Syrup Recipe

Its the time of year, when I and many, many others, start reaching for the hot drinks. Lattes, hot chocolates, herbal teas, cappucinos. None are safe from me when the cold months set in. 

Last week I had some  leftover canned pumpkin from the pumpkin and pecan bars. I couldn't come up with any recipe that had 120g of canned pumpkin, but I came across a blog, (which now I'm following) completely by mistake, that solved the problem. Stephanie who runs CopyKat recipes had replicated a recipe of the well sought out: Starbucks Pumpkin Spiced Latte. I don't want to spoil her back story so just watch her video here. Its just so heart-warming, totally worth watching. 

Anyways,  full credit to her! She did it and she did it well! So here it is from cups to grams. What to do with leftover pumpkin: 

Recipe Name: Spiced Pumpkin Coffee Syrup (Translated from Cups to Gram by me, but the original recipe was invented by wonderful Stephanie at CopyKat.com) 

Recipe-:

·       600ml water

·       ¼ teaspoon mixed spice

·       1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

·       ½ teaspoons ground ginger

·       225g caster sugar

·       3 tablespoons of canned pumpkin puree (I used the leftover I had from the Pumpkin and Pecan bars)

Equipment:

·       Medium sized saucepan

·       Wooden spoon

·       Fine Sieve

·       Air tight containers

Step 1. Spices and Water combined

1.    Combine the spices and water in the saucepan.

Step 2. Bring the water to the boil

2.    Bring the water to a boil and then turn down the water with spices to simmer for 20 minutes.

Step 3. Sieve the contents into a jug

3.    Strain the spices out by pouring the water through a fine sieve and into a clean jug.

Step 4. Pumpkin Time

4.    Put the syrup back into a pan and mix in the sugar and pumpkin.

5.    Simmer the spiced water for another 10 minutes.

Step 5. Store in airtight container 

6.    Store the syrup in an airtight container in the fridge for about 2 weeks. 

I find that about 3 tablespoons in your coffee is perfect. I used the latte packets because I don't drink alot of milk and I don't have a coffee machine. Thats the life of a student I suppose!
Happy Baking!

Good News All Around!

Hello fellow baking lovers. Well sadly there's no recipe today. There will be a recipe coming up in the next few days, so keep an eye for it. I have returned to London for a few days to see some friends, eat some food and be a general pain to the population.

I have nothing but all good news! Recently I've been interviewed the the website Gourmandize UK, which can be read here. How amazingly cool is that?! I've never be interviewed for anything before  so I'm thrilled (apart from that police thing...(I haven't be interviewed by the police, it was a stupid attempt to be funny. Did it work?)). I'm absolutely buzzing about this. Also if you've read the interview, I apologise to my boyfriend about the comment about Misha Collins being a yummy dish (its true however).
Sweetie you are also a yummy dish. Don't get jealous. :D

Also some more amazing news, I've just received my patisserie certificate! I'm now officially qualified!

Look at this!

I think I deserve a crown for that! 

Also today (4th September 2013, 9:20am. I thought I would tell you the time because I'm up super early. Thats an achievement in itself.) I'm also Gourmandize UK's blogger of the day! Here's the proof:

See? Here's the proof!!!

So lets recap:

1. I'm blogger of the day on Gourmandize UK.
2. I got an interview with Gourmandize UK.
3. I have a level 2 patisserie certificate.
4. I also drew a picture that isn't half bad.

Have a happy Wednesday baking fans!

Also, here's a doodle that I doodled for you to enjoy. It features me me with my baking crown and my friend Sofia putting me straight. 

Thanks Sofia for letting me doodle you!