I dedicate this book to the person who has had the greatest influence on my life … my mother, and in turn, her mother. My absolute passion for baking and cooking was inspired by these special women, both of whom were wonderful cooks. My happiest childhood memories are in the family kitchen: measuring and sifting flour, endlessly whisking eggs and sugar until they were thick, fluffy and magically transformed (my tiny hands tiring in the process), the wonderful aroma of freshly baked scones, and our ultimate childhood reward – licking the cake beaters! What is it about cooking, and baking in particular, that transports you back in time to when things were calmer, life was simpler and everything could be sorted out with a cup of tea and something sweet and freshly baked?
To me there can be no greater gift, and no better way of remembering someone, than to be given a recipe that you have come to associate with that person. As their secrets are passed on, it’s a wonderful way to immortalise previous generations of your family. To me, those family heirloom recipes, particularly the handwritten ones, are the ultimate in treasured family memorabilia.
To the next generation – my children, and hopefully someday their children – may this collection of treasured recipes continue to inspire you and transport you back in time to the mixing and measuring, stirring and sifting, licking bowls and fingers, and the happy times spent together in the warmth of the kitchen. May the tips and secrets shared in this book equip you and those who read it with the confidence to cook, bake and entertain with success. If these recipes can give you some of the immense joy and comfort they’ve given me, then I will have succeeded in achieving what I set out to do.