The GBBO: impact and legacy

Cooking –  (it should be) a daily task for everyone whatever the time of the day.

Is Britain being lazy when it comes to cook a meal from scratch?

It is certain that buying ready-meals is the quick option when it is time to eat something either for lunch, tea or diner!

Look at our supermarket: fridges and freezers all over the shop. It is becoming rare to see a full counter run by a butcher or fishmonger. Is Waitrose the only to provide this service?

There are more and more street food markets too with a real attraction for burgers (venison, bison, kangaroo meat). Thankfully, vegans and vegetarians can also find their paradise. But still, it is about food cooked by others and not made at home in the fully equipped kitchen.

Suddenly The GBBO appeared and almost everyone has stopped their activities to focus on that tv programme where people…cook!

In the past, Masterchef then Hell’s Kitchen had the same effect. It seems that Brits are attracted by shows where people are around a kitchen and are totally into the full “oui chef” spirit!

When celebrity chefs such as Jamie Oliver, Brian Turner or Jean Christophe Novelli started to be the new heroes of our Nation, everyone wanted to be crafting dishes the same way – it looked so stylish and cool. But, this is not how it works in real life, especially if you are running a professional kitchen and dishing out food for 70 guests! Somehow a lot of people see something glamorous about it?! The stainless steel worktop, the immaculate white jacket, professionnal ustensils…etc

A kitchen is buzzing – people shout and even swear because things have to be ready in a certain time – being synchronized is essential too. It can be “hot” to work in a real restaurant’s kitchen and tiring too because all staff have to start hours before the actual service in order to prepare everything needed for the service. The pastry chef will have to be on duty until the last guests have ordered a dessert. And imagine, sometimes it is just being there on standby until he/she discovers that no one wants a sweet!

Of course, this spare time has also been used to prepare more ice creams, biscuits, meringues or various bits to present the lovely plate at the end of your meal. In other words, working as a chef, sous-chef, chef de partie or pastry chef can be stressful and draining. A working day is not a 9 to 5 but more of a 7am to 11pm… and this is normal… in this industry.

What does make The Great British Bake Off so attractive then? Once all done, people will talk about it and eventually buy the book but might not even cook a thing of it.  Being a foodie seems to be the kind of person to be these days. It is as if, liking food is a new social status. But who doesn’t like food? This would mean than we all are foodies?! But, claiming it loudly is making a point of having a certain class and style – could this be classified as “connoisseur” like a barista has a passion for coffee?

Individuals can have a full respect towards a head chef. Cooking/baking is an art and a passion.

There is a similar infatuation for the coffee industry. This can be described when latte art is executed many times a day for hundreds of customers with the same exactitude. But this is only the tip of the iceberg.

Coffee can be good to drink because of the work completed by the coffee roasters. It is even more important when it is about speciality coffee. Green coffee beans are carefully selected; the way they are roasted is crucial to get all tastes and flavours right. Making coffee is more complex that people think (ratio and extraction are part of the equation).

Quality is important for everything: the beans, the roast, the pressure of the espresso machine, the grinder and the water. Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood and Christopher H. Hendon have collaborated on a book titled “water for coffee“, in order to explain “the chemistry of water and the effect it has on coffee“. It is real science!

Listening to a local radio station this morning, some towns and villages  go the extra mile and organise their version of The GBBO. It all happens on a smaller scale but the excitement is palpable. Baking is trending.

Showing people cooking on national television has had a real impact on the audience. In theory, people in the UK like to travel the world to discover good food, new aromas and tasty dishes. Meanwhile, all ingredients are available widely. What is lacking? A bit of inspiration, experiment and….time maybe?

There is definitely a certain legacy – it started a few months back with Mary Berry.

In the late 90’s, food on television was about Ready Steady Cook, Can’t Cook Won’t Cook and often back to back between two TV channels. It was real hit. Then after a while people get bored of it.

It is obvious that The GBBO is a winner from start to finish, maybe because it is not about the look but the real talent of the person as well as the inspiration about baking.

Take-away cups with emotions

Most coffee shops do have take-away cups…some are funny and funky as well as recyclable.

We all know how important it is to re-use or recycle paper cups.

However, a new craze might just be around the corner with customizable cups…rather emotional (excuse the pun).

This is the work of the mighty Backbone Creative http://www.backbonecreative.com/

…Customers can change the face expression of their cup personage by turning the exterior sleeve…

take-away paper cup with emotion

Gawatt take-away paper with emotions

These cups are available from Gawatt.

Gawatt emotion cups

Cool Furniture: Invest Wisely

Your office does not have to be all professional looking just because it is where you work.

With the following pieces of furniture, your office will have a personality, and you will find it to be more conducive to a pleasant working environment, among other things.

The Milk Table is super-duper cool not only because it complements Apple products but because it is specifically designed to serve multiple purposes. The Milk Table has four compartments that you can use for storage–an aquarium can be placed in one of them. Your office will become easier to work in as you use this futuristic desk, which is capable of eliminating clutter in your workspace.

In a lot of ways, the Wing Desk is similar to the Milk Table because (for one) it is multifunctional and beyond distinctive. What is more, it brings a part of history to the present. The Wing Desk is a wing from a 1944 DC-3 plane. Its style is truly impressive and bound to pay dividends in some way. Perhaps it will spark some innovative ideas within you, helping you to realize and unlock your full potential.

Chances are the Saddle Chair defies what you consider to be ideal office furniture. The reason is that the Saddle Chair has a design that is unlike anything else on the market. It also is ergonomic and rather stylish, so whether you physically use it or not, the chair is a great investment. Aside from capturing everyone’s attention, the Saddle Chair will enable you to sit upright in the position that promotes excellent blood circulation in your legs.

Bean Bags are comfortable to sit on and fun to play with for hours. Moreover, you can place them in a zillion positions as well as use them for years to come. Your office can be your oasis. With four big bean bags strategically placed around a coffee table, you will be set to sit through long meetings and handle your business in complete comfort.

Granted, making your office a lovable place is the main focus, but you should not jeopardize your safety for anything. Investing in the wrong furniture is one decision that will, sooner than later, do more harm than good. The reason is that such furniture increases your chances of suffering a personal injury. If you are hurt, you run the risk of losing out on business opportunities. Always keep this in mind when you are shopping for cool furniture: invest wisely!