Stop Press: New date for open-air Film Night

This year's open-air Film Night has been moved from Sunday 8th September to Sunday 15th. As last year organiser Marc Scrimshire will be canvassing residents’ views on what film should be shown, so keep a watch on my blog to see when public polling opens.

The Great Formosa Bake-Off

Calling All Bakers!

Are you ready to whisk your way to glory? Do you have what it takes to rise to the occasion? Then dust off your aprons and preheat those ovens because the Great Formosa Bake-Off is here!

Event Details:

• Date: 29th June 2024

• Time: Entries to be delivered to the tent 15.00-15.30

• Location: The Formosa Bake-Off tent which will be inside the Formosa Garden on the Castellain Road side.
  

Why You Should Enter:

• Show Off Your Skills: This is your chance to showcase your baking prowess and creativity in front of your neighbours and a panel of expert judges.

• Amazing Prizes: We're offering fabulous prizes, including Formosa Bake-Off Aprons, Star Baker wooden spoons and a beautiful recipe book for the winner of each category

• Fun and Festivities: Enjoy a day filled with delicious treats, great company, and loads of fun activities for all ages.
  

Judging

• Carlo Creanza: Carlo loves good food and is passionate about discovering new tastes and cuisines (a Sicilian culinary trip is next on his list). He’s been baking chocolate chip cookies and brownies since he was 5. While he’s a fan of anything salted caramel or of simple sponges with berries, he promises to taste everything and be a totally unbiased judge.

• Alison Lea: Alison is highly qualified for this role, having eaten cake 364 days of the year. Whilst her specialism is largely consumption, she is also known to her family as the Midnight Baker, inexplicably preferring to whip up a batch of cakes in the dead of night. Chocolate, Lemon and Carrot are all winners for this Judge

• Anjum Stuart: Anjum gave up sugar in 2023 so welcomes an excuse to indulge as a judge.  Anjum is a chocoholic and caffeine addict and is excited to try subtle, complex flavours and darker notes that come from a blend of natural flavoured ingredients.  If you see her floating over Formosa Gardens you'll know she's over indulged on your delicious entries and is having a very enjoyable sugar rush!

• Susan Wright: Susan has a sweet tooth and love of almonds plus the ability to discern the perfect ratio between cake and marzipan.  As a previous Formosa Bake Off winner she has probably tasted more cakes than anyone should admit during her extensive confectionary research.   She brings to the role finely tuned taste buds, an impressive tolerance of sugar and a respect for technical excellence.

How to Enter:

• Registration: No need to pre-register - just bring your contribution to the Bake-Off tent.

• Deadline: 15.30 when judging will commence. Winners will be announced at 16.00

• Categories: There are 2 categories in the competition

  • 12 years and under : biscuits or cupcakes

  • 13 years and over : a tea loaf or a celebration cake.

Once the competition is over, you are welcome to collect your entry. Alternatively we can offer your creations to other Family Fun Day guests in return for a donation to Neighbourcare who offer a befriending service in St John's Wood and Maida Vale. Please bring a list of the ingredients you have used if you are donating your entry.

Join Us for a Day of Sweet Success! Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting out, the Great Formosa Bake-Off is the perfect place to test your skills, meet fellow baking enthusiasts, and have a blast. Don't miss your chance to be part of this deliciously exciting event!

Cheers! Wine-tasting back on track

Following the postponement of this ever-popular annual event I'm pleased to announce that a new date has now been agreed -- Thursday August 15th, between the hours of 6--8 pm. The event will be kindly sponsored by Savills estate agents with the wine supplied as ever by the Winery on Clifton Parade.