June 21st, 2009

Beautiful images

www.cocoandme.com - chocolate tart with bird pattern - Coco&Me (Image courtesy of Ms.M – I always had problems photographing my chocolate bird tart – but look how beautifully Ms.M shot it!)
www.cocoandme.com - fruit tart - Coco&Me

(Image courtesy of Ms.M – Apparently these serveware (from Boleslawiec, Poland) are hugely popular with the Japanese crowd recently. I can see why! It is soo rustic-cute!)

www.cocoandme.com - market stall table - tarts - Coco&Me

(Image courtesy of Ms.M – And this is my new tablecloth. It is natural linen with blue stripes)

www.cocoandme.com - market stall table - Coco&Me

(Image courtesy of Ms.M – And look! There’s the new cheese cake!)

.

x . . x . . x . . x . . x . . x . . x . . x . . x . . x . . x . . x . . x . . x
.

More & more I seem to write less frequently here – I don’t know exactly why not, because I actually have tonnes to write about!

Like…

I’ve been wanting to write about how I came to perfect my new ‘Baked Cheese Cake’ by slightly adjusting it week-by-week, 10 grams of this & that one week & oops, let’s go back a 10 gram another week, until I finally settled to its best ingredient ratio (It took 6 weeks of tinkering to perfect the creamy texture). And I want to write about how my regular customer (body builder with heavy tattoos) have been buying these cheese cake slices from its week 1 debut. And about how he ONLY buys cakes from my stall…!
.

And then I want to tell you about how I came to sell wooden rabbits alongside my cakes, &, &, &… the article I wrote for somebody else’s website about London, & about the little mention about me in a very famous weekly magazine… &, &…
.

& as for this ‘Baked Cheese Cake’, now that it is publish-ably good, I’ve been meaning to post the recipe here on my website, but yep, you know me folks! There’s probably going to be a looo-ng wait ahead ’til we see that post…! (Just like how it took me 6 months to post the Lemon Drizzle Cake recipe!)
.

Well… instead, I’m gonna tell you about my bloggy visitors. I’m starting to get a fair number of you guys visiting me at my stall now – it is so totally amazing! THANK YOU! There’s been Londoners, aswell as people from outside London – & quite a number of French people using the Eurostar, some Germans, & a few Americans! They all mention this blog & say that’s how they made a point of scheduling Broadway Market in their visit! THANK YOU! – If there are any readers who would also like to come to the market in the future, please come by the stall & let me know that you’re a reader – I’m always up for a chat!

.

About a month ago, a Japanese blogger came by my stall (early in the morning!^^ な〜んてね!また来てね！) & took Ah-MAZING pictures. Seriously good. When I saw these images on her blog page, I thought to myself “I want these…”. So I asked for her permission to use it on here. I’m sure you’ll all agree that this Ms.M has huge talent!

.

Ms.M used Nikon D70 for these but recently upgraded to D90. Since then I’ve been pondering on getting myself a SLR camera like hers (I currently have Canon G9 – & now & then sneakily use D’s D80 for my blog pictures). What sealed the deal for my shopping conviction was when Ms.T, another blogger, came by my stall & showed me her Lomo LC-A camera. I’ve been a huge fan of her nostalgic-looking pictures on her blog – & so my thought turned to getting Lomo LC-A instead of SLR which would be alot pricier at £800+.

.

Also, the thought of going back to old-skool 35mm film made the idea twinkly romantic – it may be cumbersome to have to go get it processed everytime, but there’s that magical moment of getting the prints back – tangible, to hold in your hands, not the digital RPG representation on your computer screen.
.

Then! (yes, the story continues!) My cheap-skate mindset got hold of me when I read on the interweb that Olympus XA2 is a good & cheaper alternative to Lomo LC-A.

.

So from considering an 800 quid SLR camera to then a 150 quid Lomo, settling on a 10 quid 80’s camera from ebay (it should arrive next week!) …
… That, my friends, is how one can ride this recession…! I mean, I just saved myself 790 quid! (in principle…)

Posted in Uncategorized

41 Comments »

  1. yes! that’s the way to shop! ms. m is good-the bird tart is my favorite. i want to hear about the wooden rabbits–& see some photos……

    Comment by petoskystone - June 21, 2009 12:20 pm

  2. Yes to Olympus XA2! I have it and love it (I also used to have a lomo and I get equally gorgeous results with the XA2 and sister XA). I haven’t used it in a while… perhaps I’ll take it to Broadway Market next time! It’s been a long time since I’ve had your lovely lemon tart :D

    Comment by Charmaine - June 21, 2009 2:54 pm

  3. Your baking is just…beyond words. I must have one of those bird tarts! OoOOOooOOO!

    Next time I’m in London I’m planning to visit!

    Comment by Cathy - June 21, 2009 3:54 pm

  4. I am very sad that I am a seven hour flight from london–that glazed cake with pistachios looks heavenly.

    Comment by maybelles mom - June 21, 2009 4:26 pm

  5. Thanks Petoskystone! And as for the wooden rabbits – I’m pondering on selling it on ebay or even on this website – that’s why I haven’t expanded on the subject!
    .
    Hi Charmaine! Oh! You have it? And XA? I’m glad to hear that you get good results. Can I ask – where do you process the 35mm? Like Tesco? Jessops? Snappy Snaps? Any recommendations? Or hints? xx
    .
    Hi Cathy! I’m loving your etsy favourites list – I’m gonna have to get a cuppa and sit down properly to go through it! It’s so difficult to locate good “finds” on Etsy – it’s so hit & miss… So cheers!
    .
    Hi maybelles mom! Cleveland is seven hours flight is it? I learn something everyday…!

    Comment by tamami - June 21, 2009 7:05 pm

  6. I love the photos, but their beauty is in great part derived from their stunning subject matter. How I wish I could come shop at your market!

    Comment by Astrid - June 22, 2009 8:12 am

  7. *…blush…*! thanks Astrid!

    Comment by tamami - June 22, 2009 8:41 am

  8. Wow! All the cakes and tarts look amazing :) How do you make the bird tart or is it a trade secret?

    Comment by Rozanne - June 22, 2009 6:14 pm

  9. love love love those pictures ^^! You’re cakes look simply amazing! When I’ll be in London one time I totally will check out your stall at Broadway Market :-)! XOXO

    Comment by gine - June 22, 2009 7:46 pm

  10. Hi Rozanne! The birds were imprinted on while the ganache hardens and then dusted with cocoa powder!!
    .
    Hello Gine! Well I sure hope to see u down the Market one day then!! ^^

    Comment by Tamami - June 23, 2009 4:12 pm

  11. You need to write on – we’re always curious as to what’s going on with you! So I was happy this morning to find you’ve posted.

    I like that story with the guy that always buys your cheesecake. I love cheesecake. Now I’m green with envy.

    Comment by rita - June 24, 2009 12:37 am

  12. Love the photos!!! (And congrats on the new camera – what a steal, you have every reason to feel proud of yourself.) I’m waiting for the cheesecake recipe with bated breath – oh, and pics of the rabbits! xx

    Comment by Rachel - June 25, 2009 2:50 am

  13. Hello Rita! I also lurve cheesecake. My policy is to only make things that I love – so if I have to take it home I don’t mind eating it!!
    .
    How y’doing Rachel!
    Yes… The recipe – it’s a real simple “stir all ingredients in one bowl” style. Real easy.

    Comment by Tamami - June 25, 2009 8:47 am

  14. I just love your site, and I must agree with you the pictures are absolutely beautiful but I am 100% sure it has to be the pastries that are adorning them!!!!! Not only do I want the chocolate bird tart but I want that coffee cup right next to it, congrats on the camera, but once again I think it is the pastries!!! Have a wonderful day, Diana

    Comment by Diana - June 25, 2009 12:31 pm

  15. Wow! Thank you for your kind words Diana!! – The chocolate bird tart can’t but maybe you can get the cup in your country?? Perhaps?

    Comment by Tamami - June 25, 2009 7:38 pm

  16. You are such an inspiration to me. I just started my own stall at a market in Florida and so far I’ve been hit and miss on turning a profit. Two questions: What do you do when the weather gets too hot and melts some of your merchandise? What are your best sellers?

    Thanks, and keep blogging!

    JL

    Comment by JL - June 26, 2009 1:53 am

  17. Tamami,

    those pictures cheer me up no end! Tested your lemon cake recipe and it is a resounding success, especially with the boys! Darina Allen one of the doyenne’s of Irish cookery mentioned your market in her recent column. I will try and pass on a note on this blog. I will be reading you from Lyon in France from hereon in. T

    Comment by Trish - June 26, 2009 1:06 pm

  18. Oh, I would love to stop at your stall, I would probably buy at least one of everything, they look and sound soooo goooood. But I am a little bit away from getting there.

    Comment by JoeInVegas - June 26, 2009 8:09 pm

  19. I love the blue and white dishes.
    Do you know the brand?

    Comment by vicki in GA - June 28, 2009 3:28 am

  20. Hello JL. Wow, Market in Florida!! Must be so different to what it’s like here. – Re your question: I don’t do chocolate truffles in the Summer, and as a rule, never do creme pats, as I don’t have refrigiation devices at the stall. – My best seller in the Summer are the fruit tarts. – Good luck with your Market & do keep me posted on how you do!
    .
    Hi Trish! Thank you for trying the lemon drizzle cake! I’m glad you liked it!
    .
    Hello Joe in Vegas, I should start a delivery service…
    .
    And hi Vicki, they are nice aren’t they. They are called Boleslawiec pottery. I’m sure you’ll find out more if you google it!

    Comment by tamami - June 28, 2009 2:51 pm

  21. Dear Tamami.
    Hope you are well. Did the market again on sat, not such a good day but fun. Realise truffles are not a summer commdity! what else can I go into? thought of all things chocolatie like brandy choc cake etc there are other people doing desserts so would have to check that I don’t tread on their toes.Do you do choc lollipops?so many things one can do just have to think up ideas.By the way I love your tablecloth, it will set your off table and products beautifully. Once my website is up and running do have a look. When you are doing everything yourself it can tend to be hard at times, do you find this? so nice to have you around. ake care best wishes Janeiex

    Comment by Janie - June 29, 2009 12:05 pm

  22. Hi Janie,
    I don’t do chocolates in the Summer…! Just cakes. Even chocolate tarts started to melt last week! Do let me know when your wensite is up – I’ll be curious to see what you make!

    Comment by tamami - June 30, 2009 10:41 am

  23. Dear Tam. Will do! best wishes janiex

    Comment by Janie - July 1, 2009 12:25 pm

  24. Hi,
    I’ve just started reading your blog and thoroughly enjoying it! Will you be at Broadway Market this Saturday 4th?
    Wendy

    Comment by Wendy - July 2, 2009 12:06 pm

  25. Thanks Wendy! Yup, will be there! Maybe I’ll see you there I hope!!

    Comment by tamami - July 2, 2009 8:17 pm

  26. If I was near I would surely visit your stall. You make wonderful cakes :) Eager to see the cheesecake recipe :)

    Comment by snooky doodle - July 5, 2009 5:37 pm

  27. Hi Snooky! Ahh thanks!! I can’t wait to post it up aswell – it’s such a simple recipe- fool proof too!

    Comment by tamami - July 6, 2009 9:50 am

  28. I stumbled across your blog whilst trying to do some research about running a cake stall : ) LOVE your tarts, they are absolutely beautiful, especially the chocolate bird tart and your lemon ones!

    Hayley x

    Comment by Hayley - July 8, 2009 6:57 pm

  29. Thank you Hayley! That online course you mention sounds interesting! xx

    Comment by Tamami - July 9, 2009 9:34 am

  30. Hello, I really enjoy your post. Wow, your tarts look so fantastic! I’ll visit your shop when I go to london next time. By the way, do you know where can I find the Boleslawiec pottery in Britain? It’s really, really lovely.

    Comment by Soyeon - July 16, 2009 10:37 pm

  31. Thanks Soyeon. The pottery can be purchased from the following places!
    http://www.baltictrader.co.uk/
    http://www.countrytraditionals.co.uk/
    Happy shopping…

    Comment by tamami - July 16, 2009 11:00 pm

  32. Thank you, Tamami!

    Comment by Soyeon - July 17, 2009 6:00 pm

  33. Hi Tamami,
    I found your site through Clotilde’s “chocolate & zuchinni” and I must say how generous you are sharing your recipes! I love your tarts and cakes, wish I could taste it. I make cakes in Florida and I’d like to copy your bird technique if you don’t mind, (with a different animal, probably) even though I didn’t quite understand how you imprint it on the ganache. I’ll give it a try. Great work, I’m a new follower of your blog. Thank you. Liz

    Comment by Liz - August 25, 2009 12:19 pm

  34. Hi Liz! Thank you for leaving a lovely comment! The bird is sort of like a stamp (the stamp contour itself is a bird shape) and you imprint it and dust cocoa powder on while the ganache is semi dry. Good luck!!

    Comment by tamami - August 25, 2009 2:59 pm

  35. Hi tamami san,
    Kon-nichiwa! These photos are just gorgeous! So lovely. The bird tart cake is incredibly cute. So, you said it’s like a stamp. Wow! Is it a tool for cooking? I wonder if I can get it in US… (I live in near San Francisco). :-)

    Comment by kaori - September 30, 2009 8:41 pm

  36. Thanks Kaori san! Re: the bird stamp, I purchased it on ebay UK. Try searching for ‘bird cutter’? I bought mine ages ago. – But I reckon you can try using a clean ink stamp? xx

    Comment by tamami - October 1, 2009 2:10 am

  37. Thanks! :-D

    Comment by kaori - October 1, 2009 4:16 am

  38. Hello! I love your blog! The bird tart is beautiful! I am a real fan of chocolate and baking… Glad to find your work and look forward to trying some recipes out!

    Xoxo from Miami

    PS Mary Kay “night cream” product is one my mom swears by for burns and it helps heal and prevent scarring!!! Good luck!

    Comment by miss bliss - December 16, 2009 5:39 am

  39. Oooh! A message from Miami!
    Thanks Miss Bliss. I’ll check out the said cream later online! Cheers for the tip!

    Comment by tamami - December 16, 2009 1:16 pm

  40. Hi there

    I love your cheesecakes, they look amazing. How do you cook such large cheesecakes? do you bake these from your home kitchen? I am new to market selling and I am still nervous about how many I should make.

    mark

    Comment by Cupcake - July 2, 2010 7:16 pm

  41. Hello Mark! My cheesecskes are 8″ & 10″!! so not too large! I bake them in my home kitchen. Which market are you doing? I think the amount to sell really depends on foot-count, aswell as getting your product suitable for the type of people who go there, as well as pricing it within their range!

    Comment by tamami - July 4, 2010 8:20 am

 

Leave a comment