Cakes by Grace (Montrose)'s photostream  

A Filipina living in Scotland. I am a Mum to a lovely pretty girl and married to a gorgeous and loving man!

I was born from a catering family and exposed to cooking at an early age. Back in the early 90s when my parent's catering business was losing its share of the market my Mum decided to put me in pastry school to bring something new to the business (no one is a baker in the family). This was my first experience in baking. I went and trained with Heny Sison, Chef Annie and The Maya Kitchen Culinary Arts. During this time, my Mum also paid for me to learn International Cooking, Bartending and Table decoration.

For 2 years, I was supplying my Mum with freshly baked cookies, pastries, cakes on a daily basis! But I was also working in the morning and baking hundreds of sweets at night that it became too much for me, I eventually stopped and concentrated on my work (Computers).

From then on, I only bake for family occasions until recently when the baking bug hit me again! I made a gorgeous and tasty chocolate fruit cake for our Christmas Dinner 2 years ago inspired by Nigella Lawson and just got back to regular baking again. I then baked regularly to feed mine and my husband's colleagues who were willing to be my guinea pigs. he he Then went on to bake for every friends' and family occasion until I can perfect my skills again!

So much has changed over the years but I intend to catch up on the latest tricks and learn some new skills.

Flickr members have given me loads of inspiration and I intend to use my gallery to showcase my latest "sweet projects"

The first few ones will show my "newbie" mistakes - but hopefully over a quick time I will be back to my good old form again. I welcome all your comments, good and bad, go on! I'm an adult, I can take it! :-) Well, at least try to be kind. From time to time, I will need help and I know that there are kindred spirits out there who will understand my desire to be better at my craft! I know you're out there... :-)

Leave me a message anytime and if you like my picture, please do leave me a message. Kind words always make me smile! If my pictures inspire you, please let me know too! It's the best compliment in the world!

Thanks and see you on Flickr! (Oh! I'm on Facebook too - www.facebook.com/MontroseCakes