Not a title I guess many people expect to find on a foodie blog. But it is something that I have worked on for many years. I always find I leave important stuff to do until the last minute. I guess the “I like to fly by the seat of my pants” excuse only works so many times…..

I started this year with a goal in mind. I was going to practice my baking skills for this year and next year, 2014, I would try and enter the popular show here in the UK, “The Great British Bake Off”. I follow many of the previous contestants of the show on Twitter, as well as the shows main Twitter feed. I find the show inspirational, often it makes me hungry, often it makes me go to the kitchen and make a cake or pie or tart.

Today, fate has conspired again, and I find myself with a 2013 “GBBO” entry form. Reading through the terms and conditions, I qualify for consideration for the show, but my old friend fear is rearing her ugly head. I don’t care if my baking skills are not quite up to par, I would use the show as a way to practice, I don’t even fear being knocked out in the first round. But some fear is stopping me from completing the form and emailing it in.

Today, as I tried to conquer the fear, I put myself in my safe place. My kitchen, and I cooked. G is feeling unwell with sinus and cold, it’s snowing here, so I made my favourite comfort food shepherds pie. Using Quorn for the mince, I chopped veg, slowly cooked, peeled potatoes, mashed them with some still left over Stilton from Christmas ( I know we still have some left over, unbelievable isn’t it!) and cooked in the oven until crispy and golden.

While this was baking, I tried out a new sweet recipe, one I had not tried before, Viennese Whirls & Viennese Fingers. I also used the fingers as a base to try out my version of a Nutella frosting which I think worked out quite well, but will need a few more tweaks before I am totally happy with it.

I’m still undecided on whether to send in my form this year or wait until next year. I’m going to sleep on it and decide tomorrow. After all, there in only a slim chance I would even get a call from them.

Thank you to everyone who has followed me on twitter and liked the new Facebook page, and of course followed this blog. Your interest and support really means the world to this amateur baker. Thank You!!