One of my favourite celebrity Q&A’s is featured in the Guardian Weekend magazine (on Saturday’s). It lists approximately 20 questions ranging from “What is your earliest memory” to “What song would you like played at your funeral” with the celebrity’s answers underneath. It’s my go to page as soon as I open the magazine. (The Measure being my second.)
The Q&A style cuts through all the usual celebrity interview BS where they tirelessly amaze us with their latest accomplishments and international adoptions. The questions aren’t designed to bring out the best in them (think Hello magazine) but rather asks “who are you” when you aren’t being famous.
Last week’s edition featured Robin Gibb. Two of his responses worth noting are:
What was your most embarrassing moment?
My whole life, but I wouldn’t change it.
What is your guiltiest pleasure?
Rarely do I attach guilt to something pleasant. Life’s too short.
I have imagined time and time again what my answers might be should anyone ask. Here’s a sample of how I would respond today:
What is your biggest fear?
My children dying before me.
Is it better to give or receive?
I love to give but have to remember that giving is about making someone else happy and not about me looking good. That’s very hard as I love looking good.
Who would play you in the movie about your life?
Not a clue but George Clooney would definitely play my love interest.
What has been your greatest disappointment?
That I can’t eat whatever I like and not gain weight. I live with a man like that and it’s extremely annoying.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Winning English Mum’s great valentine’s day cupcake challenge. It was life-defining for more reasons than this space will allow. But don’t tell my children. They may not sing at my funeral.
What song would you like played at your funeral?
Amazing Grace sung by my children.
Tell us a secret.
I don’t get on with fondant icing. It’s a better baker than me that does.
I won’t go on. After all I am not really that well-known. Try it some time though. I promise it’s almost as fun as imaging your Oscar speech, the dress you would give it in and the man you would thank.
English Mum’s Big Bake-Off
The extremely gorgeous English Mum has asked me to judge her latest bake-off. I was the proud recipient of her previous challenge with my Rose Cupcakes (see above). It was life-defining because it happened in my first month of writing this blog and it cemented my presence in the blogging world. At the same time it validated me as baker; finally someone else, other than friends and family, liked what I was doing.
When I accepted the responsibility of picking the winner, I had no idea how hard it was going to be. There are some fantastic bakers out there and I implore you to head over to her post where all the entries are showcased.
So with no further ado, drum roll please. The winner is….
Summer Strawberry Cupcakes by Amy Lane at Cooking, Cakes & Children.
Runner up is….
Jammie Dodgers by Working Mum at Working Mum on the Verge.
English Mum has also included a kid’s baking challenge. Entries can also be found on her bake-off post.
The winner is…
Wheat Free Cupcakes by Top Ender and Baby Boy over at A Mother’s Ramblings. (Never mind the cakes, just get a look at those yummy children!)
Runner up is…
Fairy Cakes by L over at NurtureStore.
When I was looking through all the pictures, (drooling aside) I was immediately struck by the number of entries that included fondant icing and decorations (sometimes referred to as sugarcraft). This is no easy feat and (as I mention above) one that has always been ever so slightly beyond my grasp. So I suggested to English Mum that we have a separate category for these cakes and, although they won’t get a Green & Black’s hamper, the winner might get something else rather special from me. Just to show my huge appreciation and awe at this incredible skill.
So back to that drum roll please.
The winner is…
Son’s second birthday cake by Mummy Sam at The Misadventures of Mummy Sam.
Runner up is…
Climbing Wall Cake by ExmoorJane at Diary of a Desperate Exmoor Woman.
So now that the business of judging is over, I can get back to baking. Thanks English Mum for organising this fab competition and to Green & Blacks for their excellent prize! Everyone over to Amy Lane’s for some serious chocolate mooching.
I see you are still baking away…. did you have a good summer?
Wow those are some glorious creations! And congrats on winning for those fab cupcakes. I did see them on her blog. And I like Robin Gibb’s answer about why bother feeling guilty about what you enjoy? That’s one thing I learned when I left the US and moved to France: why eat something and feel guilty? Just enjoy it! Life is too short! And I guess you are on vacation. Hope you are having a great time! xo
Congrats to Mummy Sam, brill entry & all the other winners. Looking forward to seeing the next bake off entries, they are all mouth watering Vickxx
OOOOHHHH, Yum yum! Congratulations to the winners, they look amazing! I feel all inspired now…I might join in next time, what fun!
Yes you must join in! Inspiration is good
Oh, yum. Congratulations to the winners, and to you for managing to pick them in amongst all those gorgeous cakes!
Rachael’s yours were pretty spectacular. I am still jealous of that gorgeous swirl. Hope you will take part again.
(welling up) I’d like to thank my dearly loved ( and greatly missed) Nan for all her inspiration. If only you could have seen what she could do with a palette knife and icing nozzle. It would make my grandad’s eyes water (with pride).
Congratulations to the well deserved winners. I look forward to the rematch ;o)
Well done Mummy Sam. Your gorgeous cake begs the question why aren’t you doing this professionally? Those cows are just to die for!
WOW! First you win and now a judge! WOO HOO, good for you!!! Awesome!
Thanks Sue! It was fun.
My husband LOVES to climb at a nearby climbing wall…I am going to attempt something like this! Thanks!
Congrats on your fabulous cake!
Those strawberry cupcakes are amazing! And the jammie dodgers look so perfect. Great choices and congrats to the winners!
I also now want to learn sugarcraft
Thanks for having a look Arlene. I think those strawberry cupcakes are pretty amazing too. They just need to be eaten right?
Fab choices! and well done to the winners!
Thanks Harriet! They deserve lots of congrats
Well done to the winners!! I look forward to the next bake off. When will that be btw??
English Mum and I are hoping to host one in the Autumn so stay tuned!
Thank you so much, I am really thrilled. All the entries looked so amazing, well done everyone. I would have you all round to mine for chocolate except there is one problem – I don’t like sharing!
I want you to come over and make me some of those strawberry cupcakes Amy! They are simply divine x
Many congratulations to all the winners! I will try again next time! X
She is a very deserving winner! They look delicious (oh, and she sends the BEST secret post parcels too)
Please do Clair. Everyone’s entries were fab. Thanks for taking part x
those strawberry cupcakes do look amazing.
They were weren’t they? Your gorgeous entry was top notch too lovely. Thanks for taking part and checking out the winners.
Oooh, thank you! But, oh God, my tiles look so grubby!!!
Hmm, wonder if Green and Blacks will send me a bar as a runners-up prize??!
You could always buy yourself a bar and pretend they did! Seriously though, gorgeous cakes. Thanks for taking part x
Congratulations to the winners! Those strawberry cupcakes look so delicious…very deserved winners. Love the kiddies entries, a brilliant idea to include them.
And I am so envious of the cow cake…serious skill.
Thanks for your lovely comments. It was a fab competition with some brilliant entries.
A worthy winner, those strawberry cakes look delicious and I love the jammie dodgers! Well done to all the winners – it’s been great fun taking part and meeting new bloggers – looking forward to the next competition! Helen
So glad you enjoyed taking part Helen. Hope you will do it next time too!
Yipee! Can you hear L cheering?
Yeah to L! Those cakes were fab and the little flags a prize stealer
YAY! Congrats to all the winners, and very many thanks to everyone who took part (and thanks to you, darling girl, for the judging – tough job, I reckon) xx
Thanks for organizing it all English Mum. I just wish I could have tasted them all x
Firstly – love those questions (& Robin’s answers!)
As for those cakes – why do I always end up looking at food when I’m starving! That fondant icing comp was awesome. Such talent!
Thanks Julia! Those cakes do you make you hungry even if you’ve just eaten x