I am a terrible student. Firstly, I turn up late to a macaron baking class by Edd Kimber.
Yes, that Edd Kimber, the guy who won the Great British Bake Off hosted by Mel and Sue and judged by the Silver Fox and Nicholas Parsons's sister. A macaron class held by an official baking genius.
And yet I turn up late.
Yes, that Edd Kimber, the guy who won the Great British Bake Off hosted by Mel and Sue and judged by the Silver Fox and Nicholas Parsons's sister. A macaron class held by an official baking genius.
And yet I turn up late.
Edd with two D's. Like Edd the Duck. Genuinely.
Secondly, I interrupt his demo with lots of silly questions.
Look at him humouring me.
He makes a salted caramel sauce. He makes the macaron batter.
I'm not paying attention, because I'm too busy inhaling the wonderful sugared scent.
This much did sink in - the best macaron batter must fall in languid waves.
Next, Edd pipes perfect circles of macaron batter, spaced out so they don't merge into some kind of uberon.
We all take turns to copy him, piping circle after circle.
Some more successfully than others.
2001: A Cake Odyssey
Crisp shells of delicious almond joy with perfect "feet".
And now Edd whips up the salt caramel ganache for the filling.
Yea, verily, did I stick my face in the caramelly leftovers.
Verily, did I suck the clingfilm dry.
Verily, it was that good.
Edd now pipes the filling into each of the macaron shells.
Ta-daa - macarons from heaven.
And we all get doggy bags to take away.
Obviously, I'm being flippant (you know me) - in truth, Edd Kimber's macaron class was brilliant fun and very informative.
Edd's clearly a natural teacher and, most importantly, he understands the limits of a domestic cook and a domestic kitchen.
This was just a trial class, but Edd will be commencing hands-on workshops early next year.
To register your interest, please email Edd Kimber at macarons@theboywhobakes.co.uk with the subject "Macaron Class".
Gif of me stuffing my face inelegantly courtesy of Simon Kimber
Comments
Mimi - I want that animation of you as a screen saver! it is hilarious! For now - am going to keep this post open at that bit! haha and watch you stuff yourself all day long xxx
Those macarons sound heavenly. I think I know my problem now - my batter didn't fall in languid waves. Also, my piping skills are shite.
@Suzler - I was flapping around going "I can't pipe! I can't pipe" but Edd calmed me down and stood by my side. He's the macaron whisperer.
@Mardi @eatlivetravelwrite - Lovely people deserve to succeed and Edd is certainly lovely. And his proper classes will be brill, I'm sure.
@NorthcoteBeers - Maybe we could convince Edd to do occasional touring classes and come up to show you? Of course, in Norfolk you have your very own macaron genius in the form of Tim Kinnaird.
You make it all sound so dangerously simple - methinks it would prove a whole lot more complicated when trying at home. At least for an unscientific cook such as myself.
@The Grubworm - Look away, look away ...
Seriously good class. Gutted I wasn't worthy of an invite! Perhaps I should ask him to host one at my house next time?
Sale Of the Century??
@Sarah, Maison Cupcake - She's not, I just decided she looked like him!
@Kavey - You're a funny little person.
@Northern Snippet - Um, no, she's not - I was being silly.
@Cook in a Curry - Thanks Maunika :)
You make me laugh.
Thank you.
@Nicola - Thank you *blushes*