Lauren's interview

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Interview by Laurence

We interviewed Lauren!

Visit the blog: Around the World in 80 Bakes.

"I've still got about 29 bakes to go yet until I've made it to my 80 international bakes. But who knows where I will end up afterwards. I may try my hand at breads around the world!"

Hello Lauren, so tell us...

When did you begin your blog and what inspired you to start it?

I began almost 2 years ago having only done a bit of basic baking before. I only owned the bare minimum of baking equipment, a bowl, a hand whisk and a childs rolling pin! The idea came to me one night on my way home from work, I love eating, traveling and cake, why not combine all 3 and share it too? I began that night with Tarte au Citron and have been obsessed ever since. I try to recreate my favourite bakes from my around the world adventures and to find the most traditional recipes from the counties that I'm still yet to visit. I love being able to share my holiday photos and recipes.

If you could go back in time, what is the one piece of advice you would give your younger self as they started out on your blog?

I wish that I has looked into the technical side of blogging a little more before jumping in feet first. I should have bought my domain name straight away, now I have pay to redirect it aroundtheworldin80bakes.com

What is your favorite dish of all time?

There's too many favourites in my life! I've recently just discovered lobster. It's definitely a special occasion dish. I'm dreaming of lobster soaked in garlic butter. But then the pudding has to be pretty special too. No matter how full you are after a gorgeous meal there's always room for ice cream. Especially coconut gelato.

Your photos are great, in your opinion what makes a dish beautiful?

I think making your food the main focus of the photo, using as much natural light as possible (hard to achieve in my little kitchen so I often move it closer to the patio doors!) to maintain the true colours of your dish or cake is a good start. I love a good birds eye view photo and an extreme close up shot to capture the detail of your dish.

Do you have a secret weapon in the kitchen?

I recently invested in a Kitchenaid. This has been my best purchase ever! Also a non stick cake tin that has a rubber seal. It's amazing, you don't even have to line it with paper (one of my pet hates) just grease it and off you go. I use this cake tin more than any other I own. (My kitchen in bulging at the seams now with baking equipment!)

What is your earliest memory involving food?

Refusing to eat the crusts from my sandwiches! I eat them all now. Nothing goes to waste.

Are there any chefs that you admire in particular?

I love Marguerite Patten. Her Everyday Cookbook is a family favourite, with economic and exotic recipes, it's a brilliant all rounder. You can adapt these recipes and make them your own adding luxurious twists. She's quite an inspiration as she created her recipes during the war when ingredients were scarce. I've used her recipes a lot in my blog.

If you could be a contestant or guest on any cooking show what show would you choose?

The Great British Bake Off without a doubt. I love that show. I can't wait until the next series starts in August. It's also influenced many of my recipe choices in my aroundtheworldin80bakes challenge

What willl you do once your baking adventure is over, where next for your blog?

I've still got about 29 bakes to go yet until I've made it to my 80 international bakes. But who knows where I will end up afterwards. I may try my hand at breads around the world! I have also started experimenting further, creating my own recipes and adding them to my blog. The more creative the better! I can't see me hanging up my apron anytime soon.

Any last words or message for our readers?

Thanks so much for reading! I hope you enjoy my blog if you get a chance to pop on over. If you have any international recipes that you can recommend please feel free to drop me a line over on http://aroundtheworldin80bakes.com or twitter @laurenprince I would love to hear from you. Happy baking!

Thank you Lauren for answering our questions and see you soon!
Published by Laurence - 25/07/2013

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