Am I a Barista now?

This is something I always wanted to do. Since coffee is such a staple in my daily grind I always wanted to know how to make the right coffee. The course was held in the city and itself was a full day with plenty of practice time. At the end of the course I would have made more than 40 cups of different coffees. The amount of wastage was a little shocking at first but after going through the first several litres of milk and coffee you just don't worry about it.
The instructor went through all the different coffees and chocolate drinks and the function of the machine and correct pouring methods. Then the second part of the course involved coffee art which was just as fun.
Thoroughly enjoyable day and at the end get certified.
Yep, I am certified barista now, well that is what the paper we got at the end of the course tells me.

Cherry Blossom Cupcakes

This is a cupcake I was meaning to do for awhile. The cupcake itself is a double chocolate cupcake filled with white chocolate ganache and topped with cream cheese frosting.
I then covered the cake with pink fondant and spotted with quick and cheerful cherry blossoms.
I really need to work on my lightling for the cakes. It is always inconsistant and either yellow or white but never as bright as some food photo sites online. Maybe a newe camera for setup some proper lighting equipment.

Orange Chiffon Cake

Made an orange chiffon cake filled and covered with orange cream and covered with lightly roasted almonds.
Not a big fan of this cake because of the amount of eggs involved and cream squeezed in on request.

Red Velvet Cupcakes topped with Cream Cheese Frosting

Originally this would have been the valentine cupcakes and also planned to top each with a few red hearts and cherry blossoms but didn't get around to making them before the dinner.
I enjoyed the taste but few people were not comfortable with the red colour that is part of this cake. Chances are this will only be make on request but still a good experience.

Happy Chinese New Year - 恭喜發財

Yes, It is Chinese New Year and I made up a mud cake and shaped it into a chinese gold ingot.
Covered it with gold dust to give it that bling.
The small little red things are supposed to be red envelopes.
All's well for another year as this year being the year of the Metal Tiger which is associated with big changes and social disorder. Interesting...

恭喜發財!

Valentines Day

This year Valentines day falling on the same day as Chinese New Year. I originally was going to make a cake for Valentines and another for Chinese New Year but would be too much effort and too much to finish since family has gone overseas for a month.
So I am currently working on a cake for Chinese New Year and just whipped up a quick Valentines treat for one.
Made hearts out of egg and ham thanks to Aeri's blog.
Happy Valentines!

Frangipanis

First day back in class for 2010. Frangipanis this time. John says you got to make them so thin I should be able to read a newspaper?! I tried but the wire just keeps coming through the flower paste. Will just have to practice, practice practice..

Sad Day - RIP Brauny

Today is a sad day for me. My good and trusted friend for the last 6 years has given up the go and packed it in.
That is my Braun electric hand mixer. Did almost everything with my little friend, whip, blend, chop, grind...everything. And now feel lost without it. I think I over worked it trying to puree some prunes. Smoke started coming out of the motor which was first sign it was over. baahaa :(
Trying to do things completely manually is like going to the stone age.
Now on the hunt for a new hand mixer. Saw Braun Hand mixers comes in 600W. That's 100 more than my old one.
Just keep an eye for them to come on special.
RIP my little friend.