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

Food Glorious Food

Now I've probably mentioned this once or twice, but food and I have quite a serious love affair going on... I'll try anything as long as it doesn't contain raisins or mushrooms really! So when I spied a gorgeous new cafe on Tynemouth's ever-popular Front Street, naturally I couldn't wait to check it out! 

Having booked myself this sunny Friday off work, I battled with other motorists for what seemed like Tynemouth's last parking space and skipped on over to Dil and the Bear. The stylish grey and white striped awning makes a fantastic first impression, and the gorgeous window display of cake stands and outdoor tables certainly entice you in... 

Once inside, you almost feel like you're in a long train carriage, the seating is along the exposed brick walls with little tables and benches. The interior is light, bright and seriously stylish. I loved the big clock on the wall, the array of cakestands and freshly baked goodies and smart blackboards. We took a seat in the first section and browsed the menu. 

I want my house to look like this! Two icy bottles of coke later (retro glass bottles - nice touch), we both opted for soup of the day which was butternut squash (£5).  Though the lunch menu isn't big, there's an inspiring array on offer, from the fish platter and steak sandwich with shallot butter and numerous vegetarian options. Though we were pressed for time today, i'll definitely be back for a coffee and try a slice of cake. 

The atmosphere inside was very relaxed and informal, and all the staff were lovely. Just before we left we noticed a couple beside us reading Living North's summer wedding guide which I worked on. They were planning their wedding at the beautiful Close House Hotel in Heddon-on-the-Wall. It was lovely to hear their kind comments and oohs and ahh's over my hard work, I left feeling rather famous and humming along to Dil and the Bear's easy breezy soundtrack. 

You can see more of the lovely Dil and the Bear on their facebook page, or say hello @Dilandthebear