I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve spoken voluntarily in front of a big crowd. The first was at our wedding, where it just didn’t feel right to let the men do all the talking. My speech was short and mostly centred around our incredible cake (and Luke, of course), but nonetheless I stood up in front of 150 people and said my piece. The second was at the launch party for Homemade Memories (again talking about cake) and the third was Nino’s naming party. I can’t think of a much better reason to stand up and say some words than your first born overcoming ten hours of open heart surgery . . . Of course I’ve spoken at conferences for work and a few other events as well, but it isn’t something I relish or would naturally choose to do. I’m more of a conversation with close friends or pouring my heart out on the internet sort of person, as this space attests.
But I’m happy to say that I’m excited to be speaking at Stylist Live’s Foodie Friday on 14th October. In front of 150 people. Of course I’m a little bit terrified after months of maternity leave (and wondering whether I can do more than blow raspberries and sing a nursery rhyme or two), but I’ll be talking about food and blogging, two of the subjects closest to my heart. There will be a video (to take up some of my talking time), some slides (so you have something to look at when I forget my words) and of course some delicious Little Loaf samples baked by yours truly. I’m pretty sure it’s going to be a whole lo of fun and I’d love you to come along too. So . . .
In order to guarantee that I have at least two people in the audience (maybe three, hi Mum!), I’m offering one blog reader the chance to win a pair of tickets to Foodie Friday at Stylist Live on Friday 14th October. The day includes talks from Grace Dent, Jackson and Levine, Dan Doherty, Thomasina Miers, the man behind Symmetry Breakfast and blogger Miriam González Durántez. There’s also some amazing looking street food, a farmer’s market, cocktail masterclasses and more.
To be in with a chance of winning, simply tell me your favourite biscuit or cookie in the comments below. One winner will be chosen at random and announced on Monday 26th September, and the Stylist team will contact you with your e-ticket (terms and conditions). Below I’ve included the recipe for Oaty Dunkers (aka homemade Hobnobs) from Homemade Memories as these biscuits – dipped in chocolate, of course – are the samples I’ll be sharing on the day. Good luck!
- 125 g unsalted butter
- 80 g light brown muscovado sugar
- 2 tbsp golden syrup
- 80 g rolled oats
- 4 tbsp wheat germ (or use more oats)
- 100g wholemeal flour
- ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- pinch salt
- Preheat the oven to 180 C/160 C fan/350 F. Line two baking trays with baking paper.
- In a large bowl with a wooden spoon or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachments, cream together the butter and sugar for 2-3 minutes until pale and smooth. Add the golden syrup and beat to combine. Stir in the oats and wheatgerm followed by the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and salt.
- Take about two teaspoons of dough and roll into a ball. Place onto one of the prepared trays and press down lightly in the middle so that it spreads to about 4cm wide. Repeat with the remaining dough, leaving a few centimetres between each ball as they will flatten and spread as they bake.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown and the kitchen smells like toasty oats. Remove from the oven and leave to cool on the tray for a few minutes then transfer to a wire rack. Don't worry if the biscuits feel slightly soft; they should firm up and become crunchy as they cool.
Oh Kate, that’s amazing – congratulations and good luck, you’ll be fantastic I’m sure of it. I would of course love to be there and so my favourite biscuit is anything with pistachios in it…Edd Kimber’s recipe for chocolate and pistachio shortbread is pretty damn good…
Fig rolls! Always and still. I’m not much of a biscuit eater, but those have a something special that always wins me over. Funny, really as I bake so many biscuits myself -my family are BIG on biscuits!
This looks a fantastic day, but I’m unlikely to be there. Expecting not, so would like to wish you all the luck I’m sure you don’t need but may want anyway. I’ve no doubts that it’ll be a fantastic talk.
They will be in a for a real treat seeing you in action and making something wonderful. I have seen so many of your wonderful creations over the years, that I am sure do fantastically. As for my favourite biscuit – such a hard one but I going to go with an old favourite – stand up Mr Jammy Dodger
Congratulations Kate! Such amazing news. My favourite biscuit always used to be the Viennese Sandwich but now I know how to make Jaffa cakes (thanks to Homemade Memories) and can experiment with flavour combinations they’ve risen to the top of the pack!
Best of luck with the talk
xx
I just love Anzac biscuits & the story behind them – made for Australian troops during the war, Whenever I make them they never last very love as they are kind of addictive!!!
Hope the talk goes well – I’m sure everyone will love it. Good luck.
x
Congratulations and Good luck. I love custard creams!
Best of luck with the talk. I’d love to come along and support you on the day! Favourite biscuit, such a tricky one… I love them all so my favourite as a child was a pink wafer!
Speaking in front of a crowd is not my thing either, so good luck!! Would love to be there and listen to you 🙂 My favourite biscuit is shortbread!
My favourite biscuits are white chocolate chunk and macadamia especially when they are just out of the oven (or microwave!) You will be fabulous on the 14th and the audience will undoubtedly be inspired by you.
How exciting !I am sure you will be fantastic 🙂 My favourite biscuits are triple chocolate cookies – a recipe I got from the BBC good food website that never fails to disappoint. They are absolutely amazeballs warm from the oven and give me those self-satisfied (and sugar-coated) “I made those! From scratch! Me!” vibes! Sally x
My favourite cookie is anything salty, choc chip and with a warm soft centre (an over-baked cookie makes me very sad)! e.g. Levain in NYC’s choc chip walnut, or Ben’s Cookies… Nomnom.
Good luck with the talk!
My favourite are either world peace cookies (small chocolate cookies with a little bit of salt), or a simple bourbon!
This is difficult as I do enjoy a good biscuit. Today my choice is Crunchy ginger oat fingers.
Now the weather has turned a bit greyer, these oaty dunkers have definitely moved up the to bake list. I have a very soft spot for Bourbon biscuits though. I love the recipe in Homemade Memories, but I’m ashamed to say even a cheap corner shop packet will do!
Congratulations Louise, you’ve been chosen as the winner of the competition! Stylist will email you your pair of tickets, thanks! xoxoxo
Looking forward to trying this. Used to make biscuits called ‘noggies’ I think, back in the 70s. Melted butter & syrup with bicarb and then flour, sugar and rolled oats stirred in. Pretty sure that was it. This looks a rather more sophisticated version!
Favourite biscuit now, probably a florentine if that counts!
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My favourite biscuits are Custard Creams. Always has been and always will be 🙂
Hey. I’m probably really boring but what is better than a Digestive (other than maybe a Chocolate Digestive?) My hubby and I bought a packet on our way up to Everest Base Camp trekking even though they were months passed their Best Before Date. When you need one you just gotta have one!
I made these today with dairy-free butter (Stork baking block to be exact!) and they were so fabulous! Really tasty and morish, thank you so much for such a cracking recipe! xx
http://www.one-more-slice.com/
Gosh you are brave, I’m sure you will do so well, especially if you talk in the same style you write! My favourite biscuits are little shortbreads with added crystallised ginger – perfect with a cup of tea. I shall have a go at your Oaty Dunkers though too.
I enjoy most biscuits! But my ultimate faveourite would have to be ginger biscuits/gingerbread 🙂
A cheeky double chocolate chip cookie
I love pumpkin and dark chocolate cookies (not as weird as they sound, trust me!)