3rd February 2009, Eimear's Birthday = Bake Off Tuesday!

On Tuesday, 3rd February it was my friend and fellow cast member from "Jumping on My Shadow", Eimear Morrissey's 26th birthday.  It also happened to have become the day known as "Bake Off Tuesday".....

It all began when our fellow colleague, Aine who has a taste for competition and gambling habits (teehehehe... ) failed in a bet we had in which she was to make me corpse or laugh during rehearsals.  This of course led to a very unhappy Aine with an appetite to get one back over me.

Don't let that smile or twinkle in her eyes fool you, this Aine has a wicked tongue and can bite (but in the most harmless way.... ).

During a conversation leading up to Eimear's birthday, the talk of baking came up (our play "Jumping on My Shadow" is set in a bakery after all...) and I just happen to mention I hadn't baked in over a year and I use to make good muffins.  So the birthday girl decided for me to put my baker's hat back on and make her some muffins for her birthday!!!  The still begrudged Aine took full advantage of this opportunity to set another bet on the table at the wager of €10....  A bake-off where she is to make Eimear's favour cake, a Victoria Sponge, although she had no previous experience of making the cake before!!!  Eimear and the rest of the cast and staff at TEAM were to be the deciding judge of this bake-off contest.  I was more than willing to make muffins anyway for the lovely Eimear, but Aine just made it that bit more exciting it was hard to turn away from this competition.

So there was a busy Monday, 2nd February evening ahead and some of the results were as follows.

As much as I enjoy cooking, I honestly wouldn't be much of a baker.  However I find muffins one of the more simple small cakes to make.  I had made two offerings, double chocolate muffins and fresh blueberry muffins.

Presentation is a key, so for Eimear's birthday muffins I prepared her with something extra special.

I too was quite proud of my little artwork....

There was a lot of excitement at lunch time on Tuesday, 3rd February.  We all looked forward to shower the birthday girl (and everyone else also) with some sweet treats.  And I can proudly say the muffins did go down well with people.

And of couse Eimear was delighted with her personalised muffins.

However, I can honestly say Aine exceeded my expection and produced a wonderful (and delicious) Victoria Sponge cake.  She had video proof too that she made it herself and all! (with a little bit of side coaching from her flatmates of course)

I probably should get some credit too, I provided the candles for the cake! Everyone enjoyed the muffins and the lovely Victoria Sponge cake, but no one wanted to decide on the winner.  However, I was more than happy to conceed to Aine due to the fact I did think her cake was yummy, and really for the effort she had put into making it.  Besides, I don't really want to be fighting with a girl over baking skills!    So hats off to you, Aine.  Let's just hope you make one of those Victoria Sponge for us all every week. Most importantly though, I'm glad Eimear really enjoyed her birthday and was delighted to be spoilt with such sweet delights.

Watch this space.... I believe there is possibly a dance off competition amongst the cast coming soon....

Peace & Best Wishes,

Alan