The homogenous state of UK culture is often criticised. Multi-national stores and conglomerates have supposedly taken over the high street; major labels have consumed independent artists; and the only restaurants available are chain bistros and cafes. However, it is my belief that there are plenty of independent treasures out there, both online and in the street. You just have to take the care to look for them.

Through this blog I will do that leg-work for you, introducing you to independent gems that you can then check out for yourself. Indie Treasures focuses on independent culture and enterprise in the UK, revealing shops, restaurants, designers, record labels and artists, triumphing both their autonomy and their vision and creativity. There is a huge, burgeoning independent scene out there, full of true individualism and quality, and almost always at very reasonable prices. So think of this baby as you independent guide to an independent weekend!

Saturday, 24 August 2013

Lily Vanilli



Lily Vanilli is one of London’s premier artisan bakers, offering quality cakes with innovative flavours and sumptuously creative designs. She opened her first bakery on Columbia Road in East London in 2011, and a star-studded client list, two books and a cake and cocktail private members club swiftly followed.


All this success sprang from humble beginnings. Lily (real name Lily Jones) initially started baking as a way to make ends meet after a change in career, selling her delectable wares at a local market. Today, however, her recipes feature in broadsheet newspapers, and her cakes can be found at events held by the likes of the V&A Museum, Lulu Guinness, Hello Kitty and Elton John. 







Part of the draw of Lily Vanilli’s creations can clearly be attributed to their beauty and visual intrigue. Towers of sponge are enveloped in perfect icing, and decorated with a wave of fruit, flowers and glitter. Slabs of chocolate are piled high and sprayed with gold (or painted with leopard prints!) to create some intimidatingly perfect cocoa castle. Equally vital in the notability of these cakes, however, is the unusual, curious and innovative mix of flavours, and the perfection of her recipes. Alongside perfectly crumbly pasty and feather-light sponge is the fusion of alcohol (see her chocolate hot toddy tarts), shards of sugar glass and crystallised flowers, all utterly faultless and incredibly well-honed. All this success is particularly impressive when one considers that Lily has had no formal culinary training.

  
As well as all this, Lily has also published two books, both of which offer real insight into how to be more creative and accurate with baking. Sweet Tooth, her most recent book, really goes into the science of baking – why you should have a clean dry bowl when making meringues, the difference using bicarbonate of soda and baking powder has on baking, and how long exactly you should leave a cake in the tin while it is cooling, for example. The book also looks deeply into the history and culture of baking, as well as offering a wide range of interesting technique and flavour combinations to experiment with at home. Lily’s first book, A Zombie Ate My Cupcake, is conversely more fun and quirky, offering B-movie themed baking, with severed finger and bullet wound cupcakes the order of the day.


Lily Vanilli offers a refreshingly creative, accurate and ballsy spin on baking in a world where chintz, simplicity and the British Bake Off reign supreme. Book her bespoke cake design service or cake canapés for occasions and events, or try out her recipes for yourself by purchasing one of her books. For the quintessential Lily Vanilli experience, however, get yourself down to her teeny bakery, with its rustic charm, small courtyard and exquisite sugary delights.

http://www.lilyvanilli.com/
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