Ards and North Down Borough Council ran a competition for the best Platinum Pudding and have just announced their winners.
- 1st place - Jenny Watson: Midsummer Honey Bundt with Custard Glaze
- 2nd place - Nicola Howard: Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
- 3rd place - Jacqueline Macartney: Crown Cheesecake Trio
The lucky winners have been invited to The Big Jubilee Lunch taking place this Sunday at Sea Bangor. They will be presented with their prizes by host, Jean-Christophe Novelli MBE.
We spoke to Jenny about her winning entry, the Midsummer Honey Bundt with Custard Glaze
What was your inspiration for the cake?
I took inspiration from Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. The Jubilee is held in June, when we have the summer solstice, which I thought tied in with the theme of the play. I decided to create a pudding that was fit for Titania, Queen of the Faeries. Honey is strongly associated with Midsummer, as honey cakes were traditionally left out on Midsummer's Eve to delight the faeries. And foraged honey was thought to be a gift from the gods, so I felt it created a bit of a story.
You have said you used local producers in the Bundt, tell us more about them.
I used to work for a nut butter company, and became immersed in the amazing food scene that we have in NI. We have so much fantastic produce that is created on our doorstep. I really wanted to promote that through this recipe. Firstly I knew that I wanted to use Wildflower Apiary honey from Magherafelt, it had just come into season and I felt it was perfect timing. The idea to use as many local producers as possible struck me after that. I visited 38 Espresso in Millisle for a private tasting and consultation about what would work best in the recipe. And obviously used Copeland Distillery's whiskey, made in Donaghadee. The other ingredients - pumpkin spice from Partie de Moi (North Coast), Broighter Gold rapeseed oil (Limavady) and Flavour First eggs (Donaghadee), I was able to get these in a last minute panic from the new zero waste market in Bangor, Lightfoot.
You run your own business, The Witchery Bakehouse, and you have monthly treat boxes. Are they themed?
So The Witchery Bakehouse is all about creating treat boxes with a bit of a spooky theme. I am a big lover of anything associated with Autumn, Halloween just runs through my veins! I'd just had a baby when the idea for the bakery hit me. A bit apprehensive at first, as I've a background in fashion, and the thought of food hygiene inspections was daunting! I'm so glad that I went for it. My favourite part is creating the themes for each month and finding NI artisan makers that create amazing, and often bespoke, items to go in the boxes. For example, my July box is called Creatures of the Night, it includes a black butterfly print from PSavage Prints and bat crayons from Pretty Little Crayons. And August is Sirens of the Sea, including an ocean scrunchie from Remnant Magic, shell soap from The Hidden Hedgerow and sea print card from Sweat, Tears & The Sea.
Find out more about Jenny and The Witchery Bakehouse here https://facebook.com/thewitcherybakehouse/
