London Calling

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of attending London’s first Cupcake Camp. For those of you who don’t follow my blog, back in July, I organized the first ever Cupcake Camp Paris; it was interesting to attend the London version as a spectator/baker and see what the event is like from the opposite point of view.

Organized by Daisy Coole, Cupcake Camp London was held at Proud Camden, an art gallery/bar/lounge/restaurant/performance space in the Chalk Farm Stables Market on Halloween. It was a huge space and Daisy and her crew went to town with cupcake girls passing around cupcakes and frosting shots, live music, a raffle for all sorts of cupcake goodies, contests, a cupcake drawing room for kids and much more.



There was an excellent turn-out for this event (over 2,500 cupcakes pledged!) and my kids and I had a blast; the spooky Halloween decorations and similarly themed cupcakes certainly added to the excitement of the day.



I had planned on entering 2 contests but due to a delay with my hotel check-in, arrived at the venue too late to have my entrants considered. Since I was traveling by train, I had limited space to carry cupcakes and so only brought 10 each of my 16H Gouter & Cookie Monster cupcakes.



These were literally snatched up before I had time to arrange them on the platter; I was told that chocolate variety cupcakes were in demand! All in all, I was very happy to discover several new bakers whose cupcakes were gorgeous and delicious and pick up some tips on making the next edition of Cupcake Camp Paris even more successful!



Brava to Daisy and everyone who assisted in organizing this outstanding event; Cupcake Camp London raised over 4000 GBP for the North London Hospice.



Last time I was in London, I sampled several of the local cupcake bakeries including Lola’s and Primrose. Since that time, I have met many other UK bakers online and I made a mission to see at least 1 of them during our short trip there. I chose Love Bakery because I was already impressed by the beautiful cupcake pictures I had seen, and I had it on a good authority (from my friend & fellow cupcake afficianado, Leesa) that I MUST try this place. Boy am I glad I did!



I was a little overcupcaked from Cupcake Camp London and snacking through the stash of treats my kids had collected the night before when we went trick-or-treating – a first for them – but am so happy I made the trip to Love Bakery and the room for their cupcakes. I bought two regular size – Red Velvet and Lemon Curd Marscapone, and two minis – chocolate/chocolate and vanilla/vanilla. I didn’t really get to try the minis cause my daughter gobbled them down but the Red Velvet was heavenly – one of the best Red Velvets I have ever eaten and trust me, I buy one whenever I see them on a cupcake menu, and the Lemon was tangy, fresh and delicious.



The Love Bakery store is adorable with lots of cupcake decorating goodies, jars of vintage candies and other pretty things to look at. The owner, Sam, has published her first cookbook which is available for sale in the store (launch party on 11 November). If you are planning a trip to London or live there and love cupcakes, this is a cupcakery not to be missed! I have already recommended them to a UK wedding Client, and hope I have a chance to get me some more Love soon!

Last but not least, I wanted to publish the results of my two-year business anniversary contest in which I had several cupcake gifts to give away. I very much enjoyed hearing about the “best cupcakes” you have ever eaten. Winners were chosen completely by random using the random number generator at random.org. Without further ado, congratulations to….

- Geni who wins the demi-tablier from Sassy Apron
- Chupivore who wins 12 Sugar Daze cupcakes
- Annick who wins the Meri Meri Cupcake Kit from Made in Cupcake
- Roxane who wins the cupcake earrings from Ma Peste Adoree

Winners, please get in touch with me to claim your prizes at info@sugardazecupcakes.com

In the Photos:
1) Jumpin' Jack Flash cupcake by Sugar Daze
2) Brain Cake by Made with Pink
3) Eyeball cupcakes by Genii Cupcakes
4) Cooke Monster cupcakes by Sugar Daze
5) RIP, ghost and cobweb cupcakes by Swissybuns
6) Dia de los Muertas cupcakes by Belle Bakes
7) Red Velvet Cupcakes by Love Bakery
8) Vanilla Cupckaes by Love Bakery

For more pics of Cupcake Camp London, visit their flickr set here.

Love Bakery, 319 King's Road, SW3 5EP

All My Bags are Packed & I'm Ready to Go

Okay, not really. But my train tickets are purchased and I have RSVPed for London's very first Cupcake Camp! As well as registered as a baker for two of their exciting contests; lord knows what I am thinking considering I will be navigating the Eurostar with 2 kids, a stroller and our luggage sans my other half. My Halloween-inspired entries might just be the scariest looking things once we get there if they survive the journey!

I'm looking forward to sampling some of London's best cupcakes and meeting many of the bakers I correspond with on twitter, facebook and flickr. I'll of course be taking lots of photos to share and picking up any great ideas for Cupcake Camp Paris (part deux!). Will you attend Cupcake Camp London? If so,shoot me a note so I know to be on the lookout for you. Here's the who, what and where from organizer, Daisy Coole......

It is the phenomenon that has taken Paris, New York and Sydney by storm: Cupcake Camp London, London's first cupcake extravaganza, hits town on Sunday, 31st October, 2010!

Hosted at Camden's stylish Proud Galleries, Cupcake Camp London will be a mass-gathering of people who love to indulge in the darling of the baking world - the cupcake. Supported by live bands, competitions, prizes, a Create-Your-Own Cupcake Art room and American-style frosting shots; the focus of the day will be the delicious cupcakes donated by England's wonderful baking community, including major cupcake companies, Primrose Bakery, Ella’s Bakehouse, Crumbs & Doilies and Buttercup Cake Shop. Whether you're a professional cake baker, an enthusiastic amateur, or just someone with a sweet tooth, this event is for you.

Organiser Daisy Coole said: "Bakers are encouraged to bring along their best creations to be judged by a fabulous panel, including the lovely ladies of Primrose Bakery, Martha Swift and Lisa Thomas and vegan goddess Ms. Cupcake. "We also need lots of non-bakers to drop into the event and raise money by eating the best cupcakes our capital city has to offer."



Cupcake Camps have ballooned in popularity since their creation two years ago as a tasty way to raise cash for charity. They have taken place in over 50 cities, attracting anywhere from 250 to 1,000 participants and raise thousands of pounds for good causes.

London's first ever Cupcake Camp will raise money for the North London Hospice, spurred by Daisy's own experience with the 'fantastic community-centered charity'. Daisy, full-time musician and sometime baker, lost her father, Fleet Street journalist, Bob Coole to kidney failure earlier this year. She said: "A serious addiction to baking cupcakes and my connection with the North London Hospice came into my life at the same time. Dad was a patient at the hospice and the nurses were simply amazing.They were caring and supportive to my Dad and my family, offering cups of tea and a shoulder to cry on as we sat with him for up to 24 hours a day. After Dad died, baking was a huge comfort and the physicality of it was very theraputic so I went on a baking frenzy.

"When Dad died I never got to say thank you to our nurses. This is my way."

About the North London Hospice:
The North London Hospice needs at least 16,000 a day to run and has to raise as much as 80 per cent of its budget through donations. It provides in-patient and home-based palliative care, counselling services, respite care and a day activity centre, all of which is completely free of charge.



Cupcake Camp London is sponsored by Ms. Cupcake, Mychelle’s Baketique, Candy Pulse, Caked, Bake Me Happy, Made With Pink and An American Cupcake In London.

Cupcake donors include: Primrose Bakery, Ella’s Bakehouse, Crumbs & Doilies, Buttercup Cake Shop, Bake-a-boo and Clare Ptak of Violet Cakes.

For more information:
Visit www.cupcakecamplondon.co.uk
or email Daisy Coole: cupcakecamplondon@gmail.com

Photo Credits:
Cupcake Camp London poster designed by Christopher Cantrill (top)
Primrose Bakery cupcakes, photo from http://www.operaquarter.co.uk (middle)
Crumbs & Doilies cupcakes, photo from Cupcakes Take the Cake (bottom)