by Lisa Vincent
Newcastle, Here comes the sun at We are Ernest Cafe, Monday 13th May
May 17, 2013 4:02 pm in Newcastle Upon Tyne by Lisa Vincent
“We are Ernest” a trendy, urban cafe/bar nestled behind The Biscuit Factory art gallery in the Ouseburn area of Newcastle, hosted cake club last week.
The cafe provides food (check out their amazing flatbreads) coffee, tea and alcohol. They are always busy and have space for couples, groups, parties and families (plus a mass of board games for everyone). Find them on facebook and twitter @weareernest
Ernest is hosting some fantastic music/art/cultural events during The Late Shows this weekend – check out their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/weareernest
They kindly offered us a room (up the stairs) which had a gym horse and school benches in case we felt the need to do a spot of gymnastics (you never know when the urge might take you). And if you’re a fan of star wars they have a very impressive collection of action figures on display.
Our theme was the optimistically titled “here comes the sun” and I was praying for it NOT to rain, and it didn’t (otherwise I wouldn’t hear the end of it).
18 cake bakers interpreted the theme wonderfully, with cocktail/mocktail-inspired cakes, big-fruity numbers, exotic holiday locations (Tunisia, Indonesia, Alaska?), and traditional summer experiences (solstice, bee-stings, Wimbledon).
We welcomed more New bakers to the Newcastle group and welcomed back some familiar faces. It was one of those events that I behaved like a butterfly, flitting to the next cake after overhearing attendees say ‘that passion fruit meringue cake is amazing’ or ‘the warm rhubarb polenta is just delicious’ but instead of taking some home for later I had a piece there and then and joined in the cake-fest, I have no will-power.
The full list of cakes and their very talented baker: 
Carol G Raspberry Lemon Polenta cake, Lauren H Indonesian Layer Cake, Val G is Passion Fruit Meringue Layer Cake, Libby B Strawberries & Cream Cake, Helen M Cosmopolitan Cake, Kate E i Rose Baked Alaska Cake, Nelly R Luscious Lemon Cake, Suzanne H Vegan Jaffa Cake, Hannah B Summer Solstice Cake, Sarah H Lemon Cake, Eti A Bee Sting Cake, Iona H Gateau Basque, Shelley M Tunisian Orange & Almond Cake, Sheetul T Pineapple Upside-down Cake,Rose M Rhubarb Polenta Cake, Seymour M Fresh Cherry Cake with a hint of cinnamon ,Lisa V Blueberry & Raspberry Bundt Cake
After a good hour we’d had plenty, as had bar staff and the owner. So we called it a night shared the leftovers, said our goodbyes and tidied up.
Thank you to all the lovely bakers, hopefully ice convinced your guests to bake next time!
Thanks to everyone who chipped in to help set up or tidy up.
And many thanks again to Ernest for hosting us, if you’ve never been – you really should check it out, visit:
by Lisa Vincent
Newcastle, Life is sweet at The Bridge Hotel, Monday 18th March
March 24, 2013 12:05 pm in Newcastle Upon Tyne by Lisa Vincent
Original post: http://looopeeelisa.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/clandestine-cake-club-life-is-sweet.html
I was like a kid in a sweetshop last Monday night, Newcastle Clandestine Cake Clubs’s theme was Life is sweet, with cakes inspired by sweets and confectionery.
Our gathering was held at The Bridge Hotel, one of Newcastles best real ale pubs, located next to the high level bridge. A pub? you ask, yes a pub, but The Bridge Hotel supports and encourage local groups to use it to hold meetings and events, knitting groups, pie clubs etc, and tonight was the turn of cake! It’s one of those pubs with little snugs and divided off areas which meant we weren’t in full view of the rest of the pub goers, and it was quiet too. Their friendly staff kept us topped up with drinks, teas coffees, or something stronger for others and we reciprocated in cakey loveliness.
The bakers arrived, the cakes were set out. The smells were amazing. From a chocolatey snickers cake to the fresh strawberries on the strawberry cake, the floral scent of violets (parma violet of you hadn’t guessed) my minty aero cake and more.
I’m always wowed by the efforts our bakers go to to present and finish their cakes, Eti’s kitkat cake wouldn’t look out of place in a Parisian patisserie window, it was spectacular!
The full cake list (& a selection of mobile phone pics – apologies for these)
| Left to right (along top)Eti’s Kitkat Cake
Melanie’s Rhubarb and Custard Cake Iona’s Fruit Salad Cake Lauren’s Sherbet Lemon Cake Lisa’s Mint Aero Cake Richard’s Sherbet Fountain Cake |
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| Helen’s Strawberry Cake |  |
| Leanne’s Chocolate Cherry Cola Cake |  |
| Sharon’s Snickers Cake |  |
| Emma’s White Mice Cake |  |
| Lindsay’s Jazzies cake |  |
| Front centre: Sheetul’s Coconut Cake, surrounded by Kitkat cake, Snicker’s cake, White Mice cake (top left), Jazzies Cake |  |
| Top: Kate’s Violet Cream CakeBottom: Hannah’s Daim Bar Cake |  |
We welcomed more new members, Helen, Hannah, Emma and Lindsay who found out about CCC by the website, friends or existing members and re-welcomed our regulars.
And as with all Newcastle gatherings we just spent the evening mingling, chatting about other local CCC events, other local food clubs and events (see Local Foodie Events this spring in/around Newcastle) and eating cake until our bellies ached (in a nice way).
There was more than enough to be shared at the end, keeping us going until the weekend (at least) with more for the bar staff.
And when the sharing was done, everyone (yes everyone) got stuck in and helped to tidy up, clearing away plates, wiping tables, moving furniture and returning glasses and cups to the bar – a proper team effort – thanks everyone!
Thanks again to The Bridge Hotel for hosting us, all the bakers (& guests).
Next Newcastle gathering: May (exact date to be confirmed). Location: cafe in Ouseburn area, Theme: Here comes the sun, keep an eye on website for booking form
by Lisa Vincent
Newcastle, What’s NEW with you? at Pink Lane Coffee, 22nd January 2013
February 3, 2013 9:27 pm in Newcastle Upon Tyne by Lisa Vincent
Orignal post at: http://looopeeelisa.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/clandestine-cake-club-gathering-mon.html
Thirteen bakers braved the harsh elements to join the first gathering of the new year in Pink Lane Coffee Newcastle.
Where?
Pink Lane Coffee on Pink Lane.
The best place to go when you get off the train at central station and you need a real cup of coffee, not plastic sh*** that they sell as “coffee” on the train. Real coffee made properly by people who are passionate about what they serve, how it’s sourced, brewed and served.
Directions:
Walk out of central station, cross over the pedestrian crossing, veer slightly left up the street besides O’Neills Irish Pub and you’ll find Pink Lane Coffee here. It’s deceptively spacious, and was the perfect spot for our gathering. It’s handy for the city centre, spitting distance from central station and friendly!
The Gathering
We had 17 bookings but after a couple of weekend cancellations and a few unable to travel in due to weather conditions (it was pretty treacherous; horizontal sleet turned snow turned rain, icy and slushy streets) I was thrilled that we had 13 bakers (plus guests) on the day.
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Our theme was “what’s new with you?” and what better way to start than by welcoming five new members to the group: Iona, Emma, Lauren, Leanne and local stand up comedian Seymour Mace
Everyone worked their cakey magic and baked up with a tasty assortment of cakes based on the theme of new, be it the recipe, an ingredient, a piece of equipment or just inspired by the word NEW. Most cakes were new recipes never baked by our bakers before, and most of the attendees had never tried them before.
One of the things that makes cake club so great is that you get to try a wide range of flavours and textures. Bakers take inspiration from everywhere, including the Great British Bake Off and countries/cities of the world…Not that you have to eat them there and then, no no no no no no, it’s not like that – it’s all very relaxed, you eat what you want, as little or as much as you want and leftovers are shared, which is how I managed to try every cake (by taking pieces home)
This month we had these delicious cakes baked for the occasion: Japanese roll cake, peanut layer cake, lemon chiffon cake, flourless chocolate orange cake, Red velvet cake, Brazilian Roll cake a rocambole, Raspberry & Blueberry lime drizzle cake, Sutemeny Rigo Jancsi (Hungarian Chocolate Mousse Cake), Banana & walnut loaf , Gingerbread latte & White Chocolate frosting Cake, grapefruit olive oil cake, Spicy sticky Ginger cake.
And they couldn’t be enjoyed without the generosity of Pink Lane Cafe and their staff for looking after us for all evening. If you’ve not been there – then do something about it!!
Clandestine Cake Club Afternoon Cake Workshop. 10% off chocolate making classes and courses at York Cocoa House when booked on-line using the promotional code "ClandestineCakeClub"
Find out how CCC & The Arch Cafe/AgeUK are supporting the Leeds Loves Food Festival
Aga Living – Cookers, Cookware, Classes.
Overnight Yorkshire Tea Loaf
CCC Cook Book published 14th Feb 2013
YouTube – Clandestine Cake Club
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