Slice Of Your News A few of our favourite reader stories and pictures

Happy Birthday

The Cake Initiative believes that every child deserves a birthday cake. The Cake Initiative is a nationwide team of volunteer bakers that provide cakes and bakes to children living in poverty across the UK. Their bakers lovingly create birthday treats to gift safely in public places. The central admin team co-ordinates all arrangements, so that the bakers can concentrate on the important parts – the making and gifting. The Cake Initiative’s amazing community currently sits at 350 bakers, which have gifted over 230 cakes so far to young people in need. They work with large charities such as Barnardo's and Make a Wish UK, through to small local charities, food banks and schools. In return, they offer a number of discounts through its reward partners, such as Squires Kitchen, as well as running internal competitions. The Cake Initiative is always looking to add to its team, so to find out more, you can visit www.cake-initiative.org.uk.

Natasha Cawte, T-Cakes

Sarah Crane, Pink Fairy Bakes

New Book Cover Reveal!

Do you love the front cover of this brand new book? Are you’re in search of some beautiful cake decorations? Then look no further! In her first ever book, contemporary cake designer and regular Cakes & Sugarcraft contributor Pamela McCaffrey shares a collection of single and multi-tiered celebration cakes adorned with stunning sugar flowers, perfect for all occasions and events throughout the year. Pamela’s new book, Cakes Made With Love, will feature some favourite tutorials from the magazine over the years, as well a bunch of new, unseen projects! Her projects explore a mixture of mediums and textures, and her work is known for its clean look and bold use of colour. Pamela’s debut guide will become a staple on your kitchen shelf, without a doubt. The countdown to release has already begun, so watch this space for more updates!

A SLICE OF YOUR NEWS

I am a hobby baker who mainly makes cakes for my children. I have been trying to perfect my fondant work and figure modelling, so I created this underwater-themed cake using polystyrene dummies for practice. I got inspiration for the animals from a TV show my daughter watches. Everything is handmade and painted, and I used piping gel on the tentacles to give them a shine. I really enjoy making bright, colourful cakes, so this was a lot of fun!

Sophie Tinsley Chesterfield, Derbyshire

I make cakes for friends and family, and this naked sponge cake was made for a 70th birthday. I kept the cake simple, decorating it with lemon-flavoured buttercream and edible gold leaf, and finished with a few fresh flowers on top.

Lily McPhee Salisbury, Wiltshire