Pssst...

A little while ago I heard whisperings of a secret club dedicated to those who share a love of cake. 'I love cake!' I thought, but how do I join this secret society? 

The Clandestine Cake Company is the brainchild of Lynn Hill, an avid baker. Her aim was to create a club where likeminded people could meet once every two months and share their passion, tips and skills, and maybe make a few new friends in the process. What's not to love!? 

The CCC has grown from strength to strength, chances are there'll be a group right near you! The club also recently published a recipe collection to inspire other members and would-be bakers. 

So after skirting the sidelines of this ingenious gang, I plucked up the courage to find a club in Newcastle. For once it seems luck was on my side and organiser Lisa had one space left at this month's meeting! (They fill up very fast).

I was excited, intrigued and terrified all at the same time. Now if you speak to my mother, she'll no doubt be pretty cruel about my baking skills. I might have burnt toast on more than one occasion, and I struggle to make porridge.... but I do like baking! 

Check out my summer berry crumble I knocked up last week: 

Luckily for me, I didn't have the added pressure of baking something this time, I could just go as a guest. This month's theme was 'history' so off I went at 6pm on Monday evening to our secret location (The Knit Studio, Blackfriars, Newcastle). 

I think I was born to be here. 

Predominantly a group of ladies ranging from 20+, everyone wore pretty tea dresses and greeted each other like old friends. Endless rounds of tea were served in dainty china cups and saucers and we chatted as we waited for our group of 15 to form. 

There's no judging at these meetings, basically everyone turns up, bakes a cake and everyone has a slice (or three) of each other's cakes. What. A. Genius. Idea. 

There were some really unique creations such as the 'Kitchen Garden' cake, a concoction of potatoes, apples, orange peel and celery, inspired by the Grow Your Own revolution in the early 50s. There was also a rather charming creation decorated in dinosaur biscuits! 

Turns out there was no reason to be nervous! Everyone was so friendly and the handy name badges we were asked to wear made introducing yourself a lot easier. After a good five slices, (what? you're encouraged to fill your boots...), I have to say the battenburg was my favourite, closely followed by a chai tea loaf. 

Saying my goodbyes and taking a wedge of battenburg home for my grandma, I was asked if i'd be coming to the next meeting....

Guys, I guess this means i'm in the club!  

You can tweet them @clandestinecake, or visit their website www.clandestinecakeclub.co.uk