Has anyone seen that movie Bob and Carol, Ted and Alice? It starred Elliot Gould and has a lot more dialogue than the average movie he starred in during 60’s and 70’s, which tended to have about five words and a lot of LSD enhanced sunflower fields. Well anyway … this has nothing to with Elliot Gould or that old movie …
There’s nothing like a Victoria Sponge … a friend of mine who shall remain nameless (Michael) has a rather sweet tooth and a special fondness for sponge cakes. His favourite is Victoria sponge, that much heralded British classic, named of course after Queen Victoria. Essentially it’s two pieces of sponge cake with ideas above their station, glued together with raspberry jam and whipped or butter cream, topped off with a dusting of icing sugar.
Michael recently went to a birthday party and imagine his delight when he spotted a magnificent Victoria sitting out the back on a table in the dimly lit pantry. The evening progressed but getting close to midnight there was still no sign of Victoria … Finally, Michael couldn't stand it any longer and he went to the pantry and cut himself a HUGE slice of Victoria. He then settled back in a shadowed corner of the pantry to enjoy what he had craved all evening. Suddenly the pantry light was on, a woman screamed, then shouted “who has cut the birthday cake?”. The whole party rushed to the pantry to see Michael with a half devoured piece of Victoria in his hands and icing sugar all over his face. He doesn't get out much …
When I want a delicious slice of Victoria sponge or even a whole one in miniature, or anything else utterly delicious of the cake variety, I head over to Violet in Wilton Way in trendy E8 east London. The ingredients and flavours change with the seasons bounties.
Originally from California, Claire Ptak (Violet) worked as a pastry chef at the famous Chez Panisse in Berkeley before moving to London.
http://www.violetcakes.com
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Originally from California, Claire Ptak (Violet) worked as a pastry chef at the famous Chez Panisse in Berkeley before moving to London.
http://www.violetcakes.com
8 comments:
These look great!
What more could you want, Victoria sponge & tea
I am so wishing I could taste that gorgeous cake.
What is it with Chez Panisse pastry chefs moving off to foreign countries? I've been following David Lebovitz and his blog from Paris and now I find that another one has set up shop in London.
When I was working in San Francisco, I had one truly memorable meal at Chez Panisse. It was an experience I'll never forget. Not because the food was exotic or each plate was an artistic masterpiece but, because the food was so delicious. The most simple things tasted heavenly.
Ooh, I had better avoid Violet. I could wolf down all those cakes at the minute! :)
This is the first I've heard of one of those. They look delicious!
But, Ted, can you blame Michael? Just look! How much self-control do you expect out of a mere mortal? In my book, waiting until nearly midnight is more than long enough!
Looks yummy….
Poor Michael! It made me smile, though.
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