We caught up with Royal Wedding cake maker Fiona Cairns to get the low down on THAT cake plus a few party treat ideas
As excitement levels soared in anticipation of Prince William and Kate Middleton's nuptials, so did tensions in Fiona Cairn’s kitchen as she put the finishing touches to the Royal Wedding cake.
When we caught up with Fiona earlier this week, she told Marie Claire she never dreamed Kate would pick her out of the hundreds of cake makers who applied for the job. ‘Given half the chance I’m in the kitchen so when I got the call asking me if I would be interested in meeting with Kate I was thrilled,’ she says.
ROYAL WEDDING: ALL THE DETAILS
‘I was a bit nervous about meeting her but she was so lovely. It was all very relaxed and the whole design was driven by Kate,’ says Fiona. ‘She wanted something very traditional, meaningful and romantic.’
The multi-tiered 600-person fruitcake is decorated in cream and white icing – inspired by the scrollwork of Joseph Lambeth and the romance of the traditional Victorian language of flowers.
‘Each sugar flower has a meaning – the bridal rose means love and happiness, the lily of the valley means sweetness and the acorn means strength – and each has to be made individually by hand,’ says Fiona. ‘It has been a bit stressful, but I have tried to enjoy every minute – it’s not everyday you make a cake for the Royals.’
Fiona isn't joining the party at Buckingham Palace, saying that come the reception: ‘I imagine I will be slumped in my armchair, hoping the cake made it to the palace in one piece!’
If you're inspired to indulge in a spot of baking fit for a princess, here are a few hints from Fiona for some traditional themed treats.
‘People always over-complicate baking when really the trick is to keep it simple,’ she says. 'Try a Victoria Sponge or my favourite vanilla butter biscuits, decorated in red, blue and white icing to add a Royal touch.’
For more baking ideas or to order Fiona’s cakes online visit www.fionacairns.co.uk