Streamers? Check. Party hats? Check. Glitter cannon? Of course! Now all you need to do is hit this chapter and decide which recipe suits your grand occasion. It’s hard to disappoint with an Epic candy bar layer cake, because it is exactly what it sounds like. And my Midsommar bombe Alaska would definitely not be overshadowed by that two-storey jumping castle you’re planning.
OK, so maybe your party isn’t quite so much of an extravaganza. But this is still the chapter for you. Graduation, a new job, an engagement, a wedding – these to me are all opportunities to eat and to make something delicious and exciting. I’m actually pretty terrible at big parties; mingling is not my forte. My favourite kind of gathering is whatever a step down from ‘party’ is – just a bunch of friends or family around, eating and laughing and hanging out.
I like to celebrate in a low-key way. My dream wedding reception would be everyone munching on Apple fritters and drinking hot coffee on a snow-covered mountain somewhere in the Alps. I love to end a dinner with a giant, jiggling Rhubarb and vanilla bean jelly. And I can’t imagine a nicer way to say congratulations than by presenting someone with their own personal Raspberry, ginger and chocolate float.
These are the recipes that, to me, say ‘thank you’, ‘congratulations’, ‘we’re proud of you’ and ‘you made it!’. And that’s what I want to say when I’m throwing a party. Because, not to get too deep with you here, but we’re here for a good time, not a long time, and I don’t want to miss out on a single chance to eat Cola f oat ice cream cake with the people I love.