Ok so this is a very much experimental style (and shows so much more in the story orientation. But here is a Wes Anderson inspired Segway into cake photography. And the eclairs were delicious- chantilly cream and raspberry filled with a home boiled musk fondant on top. I must recommend trying home made fondant icing - I don’t love fondant usually but it is so different when you make your own, almost buttery in texture. Perfect with bright pink pomegranate tea and fancy afternoon tea attire. Fondant icing recipe from a special vintage cookery bible- ‘modern French culinary art’ by Pellaprat. #wesandersoninspired##wesandersoninspiredphotography#vintageinspiredfood#vintageinspiredfoodphotography#foodstylingandphotography#colourfulfoodphotography#eclairs#fondanteclairs#chouxpastry#teaparty#foodartphotography
An autumnal celebration cake - channeling golden hues and seasonal flavours. Ans so nice to escape into creative baking again. This is a gluten free chocolate genoise filled with roasted hazelnut praline paste and German chocolate buttercream. The pears are dried and glazed in toffee (so good !) and you may not recognise the little chocolate ‘hazelnuts’. I really wanted to capture a hazelnut just plucked from a tree using wafer paper and a milk chocolate ball filled with more praline paste. The whole cake is covered in maple ganache and of course more chocolate. I can highly recommend making your own praline paste- the taste is nutty toffee ‘gold’ with an amazing crunch. ( I’ve been snacking on it all week) A special 18th birthday cake. Thanks @rendinas_butchery_ for entrusting me to create this one. #chocolatecakedesign#chocolatecake#glutenfreebaking#celebrationcake#birthdaycake#autumnbaking#autumncake#moodybaking#seasonalbaking#cakedecorating#cakestyling#cakephotography#moodyfoodphotography#moodyfoodphotograpyandstyling#foodphotographyandstyling#brownfoodphotography#cakelove
Star crossed buns. Or are they double crossed or criss crossed. Yeast beer, butter, vanilla and delicately spiced with nutmeg and coriander. I’ve glazed these with vanilla bean and maple syrup. It’s something like butter beer in a bun. For those who want an alternative Easter bun sans fruit. This week the recipe for these buns and my spiced honey gugelhupf will be up on the blog. I seem to have developed a habit of a new Easter bun a year- so there quite a few bun recipes available already. #easter#easterbaking#easterbuns#hotcrossbuns#spicedbuns#yeastbaking#sweetbuns#butterbeerbuns#foodstyling#festivebaking#foodphotography#goldenfoodphotography#brownfoodphoto#foodstylingandphotography
Dahlias and droplets. Not sugar, or cake or baking - just a little play with some cafe au lait dahlias from the garden .The colours and textures of these always bring joy, I mean how lovely is this bloom. Complete with bugs and faults. Am taking a little mental space before I consider some more Easter baking over the next two weeks. A great remedy for feeling creatively stuck - though some bun ideas are slowly emerging to try over the next week . Enjoy the last of the weekend .. #dahlia#floral#floralstilllife#stilllifephotography#moodyphotography#darkfloralphotography#flowers#flowerphotography#dutchmastersinspired#chiaroscuroinspired
Here’s an early Easter treat. A hybrid of Easter bread, buns and cake that has evolved into a Grand Spiced Honey Gugelhupf. The dough is a buttery honey brioche spiced with Cardamon and soaked with spiced bush honey whilst still hot. Great for an Easter breakfast. I‘ll be sharing the recipe on my blog before Easter- the quantity is enough for two Gugelhupfs and can also be baked in a bundt tin or brioche mould. (Any bread tin really) Totally inspired by this @nordicwareaustralia tin- all their bundt shapes turn baking into sculptural masterpieces, I am a little addicted. #bundt#brioche#gugelhupf#eastercake#easterbundt#eastergugelhupf#honeybundt#honeybrioche#easterbread#festivebaking#goldenbaking#warmfoodphotography#easterfoodideas#bakingphotography#bundtstagram#foodstyling#bakestyling#stickybakes#foodstylingandphotography#bakingwithhoney
Draped squid ink linguine. The shade - ‚black’ to me conjures up feelings of mystery, intrigue and quiet calm. Night is where I feel most at peace and where creativity emerges from that space- uncluttered by frenzy. In a way this image aims to symbolise what is hidden behind a ‚veil’ of darkness. Kindly modelled by my very patient Miss B. My final image for the BLACK themed challenge- the colour black and the emotion it evokes in you hosted by @thesouthasiankitchen and with the wonderful @twiggstudios as inspiration and judge. Sponsored by @fifbackgrounds and @organized.ceramics. @foodartproject #foodartproject #foodartaimeeproject Also for #pinkladysnapsfeb23 @pinkladyappleuk @foodphotoaward #darkfoodphoto#darkfoodphotography#moodyfood#moodyfoodphotography#monotonefood#blackfoodphotography#blackpasta#squidinkpasta#pastaphotography#blackpasta#foodart#foodartblog
A baby black vintage lace cake, inspired by the 1950’s dress I purchased at flea market way back when I was a uni student. I cannot part with it - it’s still my favourite. The cake is an experimental black themed concoction of black tahini and chocolate buttermilk cake, black tahini and vanilla buttercream tinted with black cocoa and a burnt caramel banana compote inside. I thought it would be fun to try and replicate the lacework in buttercream - creating a very black muted scene focussed on texture and light. My first image for the black themed challenge hosted by @thesouthasiankitchen and with the wonderful @twiggstudios as inspiration and judge. Her work is always beautiful and her creations so unique and breathtaking. Theme one- ‚hero the colour black‘ - a black cake, a black scene with tone and texture my focus. Sponsored by @fifbackgrounds and @organized.ceramics. @foodartproject #foodartproject #foodartaimeeproject #darkfoodphoto#darkfoodphotography#moodyfood#moodyfoodphotography#monotonefood#blackfoodphotography#blackcake#blacktahini#blacktahinicake#buttercreamcakes#laceinspiredcake#moodycake#vintagecake#vintageinspiredfood
Shirleys cake. The best cakes are made for giving so this little fancy lady was destined for another special lady on her birthday. 87 impressive years- hope she doesn’t mind me saying so. All vintage lambeth piped buttercream with wafer paper leaves outside. Chocolate genoise, chocolate German buttercream, cherry compote and Dutch cherry liqueur inside. There is nothing like classic cake and classic flavours. Still in two minds about the old trestle I picked up on Gumtree, love the aged patina, not sure it can handle a cake on top though. #cake#buttercreamcake#lambethcake#lambethpiping#celebrationcake#birthdaycake#festivebaking#fancycake#waferpaperart#waferpaperleaves#cakedecorating#vintagecake#moodycake#cakestyling#foodstyling#cakephotography#cakestyling#foodstylingandphotography#foodart#cakeart#moodyfoodphotography
The plumpest oysters with coriander oil, green chilli and lime. This is my perfect balmy Friday night feast, and it is very balmy in my part of the world today. Fresh, quick to prepare and so very indulgent. Plus Fridays always seem like a little celebration to me. Really loved channelling the sea in this client shoot- and how lucky to have access to such fresh seafood. (Feel free to zoom in, they are really good up close) Simply blitz fresh coriander leaves with olive oil, a good squeeze of lime juice and a sprinkle of sea salt flakes. Drizzle on freshly shucked oysters with a little extra lime and sliced green chillies. #collaboration#foodphotography#foodstyling#foodstylingandphotography#producephotogtaphy#oysters#oysterphotography#seafoodphotography#pacificoysters#moodyfood#moodyfoodphoto#australianseafood#skilletmeals#foodartblog
After the tea party. A little messy cake scene, and a mish mash of florals in a moody atmosphere. My last photo for the @eatcaptureshare_ challenge, a table scene with the theme where food is shown in a lifestyle setting. Maybe not oozing sophistication and elegance, but the serenity is there when the cakes are baked, the table is set and the guests are happy- and off somewhere having fun until the next piece of cake. The treats are strawberry mascarpone choux buns and a lychee rose chiffon cake. So nice to find some baking energy again. Thankyou Kimberly of @thelittleplantation for hosting yet another great challenge- this one was so testing and as usual absolutely rewarding 🙏 Thanks also to the judges @twinsinmykitchen and @chickpea_mag The entries are phenomenal ! #ecsgrowth #eatcaptureshare #eatcaptureshare_ #moodyfoodscene#moodfoodphotography#darkfoodphotography#cakephotography#chiffoncake#cakescene#chairoscuroinspired#darkandmoodfoodphotography#foodstylingandphotography#tablescene
Late night cocktail. Probably in a little speakeasy somewhere, tucked in a corner taking in the atmosphere. My first cocktail shot, and so out of my comfort zone. It’s a bitter Campari concoction with ruby grapefruit zest. I’m sure baking and photographing is quicker than this. Anyway a good learning curve with plenty of room for improvement. My submission for the ‘rhythm of the night’ brief of the @eatcaptureshare_ challenge. A mock image for a theoretical late night bar, capturing dark and moody vibes. Hosted by Kimberly @thelittleplantation and judged by @twinsinmykitchen and @chickpea_mag #ecsgrowth #eatcaptureshare #cocktailphotography#drinkphotography#moodyfood#moodydrinkphotography#darkandmoodyfoodphotography#campari#negroni#brownfoodphotography#neutralfoodphotography#darkfoodphoto
An armful of Churros cones. Finally got there with my Day 2entry for the @eatcaptureshare_ challenge, where we journey into the concept of a ‘food truck’ as a client showcasing yummy food ‘on the go’ My idea springs from that feeling of waiting in line at the best looking food truck around, and they joy of reaching the window and grabbing an armful of hot treats. In this case piping hot sugary Churros- and yes they were still hot and could barely be held ! Challenge hosted by Kimberley of @thelittleplantation and judged by the talented @chickpea_mag and @twinsinmykitchen. #eatcaptureshare_ #ecsgrowth #foodstyling#churros#hotfoodstyling#moodyfoodphotography#colourfulfoodphotography#foodtruckfood#friedfood#sweetreats#comfortfood#foodstyling#foodstylingandphotography
Fruity spoonfuls. A collection of juicy red Summer fruits on a scattered pile of vintage spoons. This is my first entry for the Eat Capture Share challenge this year with the overall theme of ‘The client is Boss’ . The first challenge is Tutti Frutti- capturing seasonal fresh fruit in all its glory, the ‘client’ being a local farmer market with the brief including to capture seasonal fruit front and centre ( and beautifully) Imagine bringing this fruit home and grabbing a pile of spoons to eat it before it even reaches the fridge. Something we usually do with icecream, I’ve just extended that pleasurable concept to fruit. Actually my plan ‘B’ - my initial fruity idea was a structural mess! Thanks to Kimberley @thelittleplantation for hosting yet again and to two inspiring judges @twinsinmykitchen and @chickpea_mag #eatcaptureshare#ecsgrowth Also my day 1 entry for the @foodartproject challenge this month, held by @thesouthasiankitchen and inspired by the wonderful @evakosmasflores with the colour Red. Juicy red fruits are my ‘hero’ subject here on a backdrop of tarnished metal to help them to really pop. #foodartevaproject#foodartproject Judged by @evakosmasflores and sponsored by @errer.backdrops #fruit#summerfruit#berries#redfoodphotography#fruitphotography#berryphotography#foodstylingandphotography#producephotography#flatlayfoodphotography#rusticfoodphotography#foodartchefs
Summer heritage apples- not yet ripe and sweltering in this heat. I love the green and purple vibrance of these and felt like a pig in mud, flower and foliage foraging at @thebluepotager’s gorgeous little botanical oasis. Thankyou for the little chance to escape and get some creative juices flowing again x #apples#heritageapples#summerapples#foraging#darkfoodphotography#foodstylingandphotography#moodyfood#stilllifefoodphotography#stilllifephotography#pinkladysnapsJan23 @pinkladyappleuk@foodphotoaward
In the heat and humidity of the hiatus between Xmas and New Year this Gingerbread and chocolate Crayfish has slowly fallen apart. I’ve taken a little moody capture before we completely demolish him- though you may already notice some missing legs. How quickly we have come across 2023 ! My goal is simply to find balance, to devote time to those that are important to me, and to remember to leave room for creativity. A Happy and Healthy New Year to all x
A gingerbread Xmas crayfish 🦞 A very different gingerbread build for Xmas this year and a nod the the iconic Australian Xmas indulgence. All orange spiced gingerbread and modelling chocolate, with white chocolate accents for added bumpiness. A little cheeky too as this local treat is such a pricey luxury nowadays so a really big sweet version is what’s on the menu in this house. Merry Xmas to all, may it be a joyous one x #gingerbread#gingerbreadart#gingerbreadbuild#gingerbreadsculpture#xmasbaking#xmas#christmasbaking#foodart#foodsculpture#cakeart#cakesculpture#cakerealismsweet#sweetart#foodphotography#foodphotographyandstyling#xmasfoodphotography#festivefoodphotography#brightfoodphotography#cakephotography#pinkladysnapsdec22
Spiced cherry skillet crumble. A perfect Xmas dessert and also a little something I created for some work I’ve been doing with @crumble. Very much oven to table - red wine spiced cherries create some festive mulled wine flavours covered in plenty of buttery crumble and toasted almonds. The best thing is you can scoop as much or as little as you can fit in after a day of feasting 😌. Yummy with cream, ice cream or custard. I served it with sour cream - for a little complexity of flavour without the sweetness. And a recipe too - To make: Spiced cherry filling: 500g fresh cherries- pitted 50g raw sugar 1/2 cup red wine 100ml orange juice 3 cloves 1/4 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp vanilla bean paste 2 tablespoons cornflour Place everything but the cornflour in a small saucepan over gentle heat and simmer for 5 minutes or until the cherries are starting to soften. Mix cornflour with 1/4 cup of water to make a slurry. Remove cherry mix off the heat and stir in 1/4 of the cornflour mix at a time, boiling between to thicken until the juices are a gravy consistency . ( you may not need all the slurry just add and simmer until it is thick enough). Cool. For crumble: 150g plain flour 50 g raw sugar 100g cold butter- cubed Pinch sea salt 1 tsp vanilla bean paste 1/4 cup flaked almonds Add flour, sugar, salt and vanilla to a bowl and combine. Add the butter and use your fingers to rub into the dry ingredients until it’s mixed to a crumble. Pour the cherry mix into a greased oven proof skillet. Top with the crumble mix, squishing it into chunks. Sprinkle with almonds. Bake at 180deg C ff until golden. (Around 15- 20 mins) Serve warm. 🍒
A whimsical Xmas striped trifle- part jelly bowl, part trifle, with cream clouds and meringue wings. The bowl is filled with raspberry jelly and cinnamon and vanilla spice milk jelly, a little shortbread crumble, vanilla Chantilly cream, meringue and dragonfruit stars. Jelly is my favourite part of the trifle so this way it’s easy to access a big spoonful without too much digging. Works fine with more fruit on top, extra biscuits or a little tipple 😊 #trifle#stripedtrifle#jelly#ribandjelly#jellybowl#sweet#xmasdessert#xmasbaking#sweetart#festivedessert#festivefood#foodstylingandphotography#foodstyling#foodart
Gingerbread Xmas fireplace 2021, a little recap of last years gingerbread project. I can’t believe we are here again and to be honest, I can’t decide where to head with my next Ginger build- something traditional or something left of centre ? This one was rye gingerbread with modelling chocolate, a theme on a dream to be snuggled by a big old fireplace in Winter somewhere for Xmas with snow outside (Still a dream). Open for inspiration..there’s still a couple of weeks. #gingerbread#gingerbreadart#foodart#cakeart#xmasbaking#festivebaking#cake#sweetart#christmasbaking#biscuits#darkfood#moodyfood#foodstyling#darkfoodphotography#xmasfoodphotography#festivebaking#hautescuisines
Butter still life. Pure, cultured, unsalted - which is how I like it. Given a special birthday milestone for my eldest and the coming season of festivities I will be going through a decent quantity of this - the heart of birthday buttercreams and Xmas baking. Image inspired by still life oils and scrunchy wrappers. #butter#butterstilllife#darkfoodphotography#foodstilllifephotography#producephotography#painterleyphotos##butterportrait#moodygrams#moodystilllifephotography