Cake: A Slice of British Life

Prue Leith, a renowned British baker, explores the history, nostalgia, fascination, and British love of cake in her book 'The British Cake Odyssey.' The book traces the evolution of the humble cake from a simple combination of starch and fat to the show-stopping bakes of today, taking pride of place at every meaningful life celebration.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 28 September 2023
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

A delightful odyssey through the history, nostalgia, fascination, and British love of cake.

Quirky, charming, and fun, this book takes readers on a journey through the evolution of the humble cake, from its simple beginnings to the show-stopping bakes of today. Author Andrew Baker (by name, not occupation) travels the country, from Dundee to the Isle of Wight, in search of the "true slice" of each iconic cake. Along the way, he discovers the illustrious yet scandal-filled history of the Battenbergs saccharine squares, indulges in sponge sandwiched with jam and cream at Queen Victoria's holiday home Osborne House, and learns how a caterpillar enrobed in chocolate became a party-starting birthday centerpiece.

From King Alfred's oatcakes to The River Café's revered Chocolate Nemesis, this book is a crumb-spattered, buttercream-smeared story of the cakes that have claimed a place on British tables and in our hearts. With its charming anecdotes, delicious recipes, and stunning photography, "The British Take on Cake" is a must-read for anyone who loves cakes, history, or just a good laugh.

Weight: 430g
Dimension: 144 x 226 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780008556075