Port Alfred cupcake in BBC top ten
CANDICE BRADFIELD
ANNELI Hanstein from Talk of the Town's production department has been shortlisted for the "Love Baking” cupcake competition run by BBC Lifestyle.
Fellow TotT staffers have become accustomed to being spoiled with Hanstein's baked treats, and applauded such high profile recognition of her talents.
| CHOCOLATE GANACHE: TotT's Anneli Hanstein entered this cupcake into a BBC Lifestyle competition and was placed in the top 10 Picture: SUPPLIED |
She submitted a recipe describing the method and decorating in detail so that their team of bakers and tasters could make and taste the entries.
"It couldn't just look good but had to taste great as well,” she said.
French patissier Eric Lanlard will bake the top 10 himself and choose a winner which will be announced on his show, "Baking Mad”. The winner's cupcake will also be made on the show and the prize is a Kenwood mixer and a signed copy of his new book.
Lots of people asked Hanstein if she knew about the competition and told her to enter. The night before the competition closed, baking mentor and friend Val Kilian reminded Hanstein about the competition. She managed to enter just before the deadline, despite time constraints and problems with the website.
She received an e-mail on Tuesday last week to say the shortlist was on the website. She went on to check and saw her cupcake was there.
"I was so excited to find out, I jumped up and down and called everyone,” she said.
Hanstein has been baking her whole life and used to bake with her gran. She said it had been just been a hobby until a few years ago.
When Hanstein got married four years ago, Kilian made a wedding cake for her which showed the intricate techniques that can be done with fondant or icing. This inspired Hanstein and sparked her interest into pursuing this craft further.
Besides making cakes for friends and home and trying different ideas, Hanstein would often approach Kilian for advice as she has 35 years of cake decorating experience. In Hanstein's spare time they started working together, in what Kilian calls "passing on her craft” and this hobby is growing by every order.
They do wedding, birthday and novelty cakes, as well as speciality cakes for any occasion such as christenings, baby and bridal showers. They also do teatime treats. Find their page with pictures of their cakes on Facebook under "Poegie's Koekies” or call Hanstein on 081-466-5561.
