A Christmas Afternoon Tea with Nadine Ingram

It certainly was a tantalising Christmas Afternoon Tea in my Palm Beach Kitchen with one of Australia's legendary bakers' Nadine Ingram, from Flour & Stone Bakery in Woolloomooloo and her divine cakes.

Guests gathered from near and far to hear from Nadine and eat her cakes woven with love and story, from her new book Love Crumbs (Simon & Schuster). It was a walk through the meadow chapter of the book, featuring;
Where The Orchard Meets The Meadow ~ Nectarine. Chamomile. Honey.
Layered Chamomile Cake, with Honey Custard, Pavlova infused with Vanilla Sugar & Pink Peppercorns, and topped with Roasted nectarines.

Layers of Memories ~ Caramel. Passionfruit. Macadamia.
Sponge cake, passionfruit curd, macadamia praline and a caramel mousse, finished with a creme fraiche frosting and fresh passionfruit pulp.

Ode to John Olsen ~ Pistachios. Rhubarb. Ginger.
Pistachio Sponge, Ginger Custard and Baked Rhubarb, layered and finished with a ginger cream and crushed pistachio nuts.

Sipping on The Rabbit Hole tea, a conversation between myself and Nadine flowed as we all heard that to be a cake maker is to be woven into the sweetness of people’s lives, to bake layers of love crumbs as an exploration of romance, adventure and comfort. She shared the stories behind the cakes, the bakery and what motivates Nadine Ingram to keep creating and baking. Laughter and tears were inevitable as she divulged her deep connection to family and the community she fosters with both her staff and her customers. Nadine’s new book is as much about recipes and cake, as it is about hearing her poetry and words. She reveals her exploration of the sensory parts of nature that spark her creativity and the perfume, spice and fruit which are at the forefront of these adventures. Many have commented it’s a book where the emotion filled stories will find you moved to tears in the midst of cake. It seems you’ll need a hankie either way, to wipe your tears or your drool over cake.

Nadine Ingram’s latest book features 50 utterly original, natural and romantic cakes that belong at the heart of every celebration. Her reliable cake recipes are written with the precision of a world-class pastry chef and the warm encouragement of a countrywoman.

‘A book like no other, beautifully braiding the poetry and practicalities of baking.’ Nigella Lawson
Photography Alan Benson & Styled by Emma Knowles | Illustrations Samantha Denmark

Gratitude to Sam for capturing the afternoon so beautifully - Images © Samantha Mackie