Cooking with Caedmon

Judy. As we’ve mentioned before, we try to give our grandsons experiences, not things, as gifts. Since Caedmon’s favorite television show is The Great British Baking Show, we offered to have The Great Athens Baking Camp at our house for four days. Caed was to pick four items to bake, and we’d give it a go. 

We decided to go from easiest to most difficult, and I was to find recipes. Caed chose key lime pie and crème chantilly, Cornish pasties, apple cake, and caramel cake. I vetted recipes that I had or could find, we made a grocery list, and went shopping on Sunday afternoon. 

Mom photobombs while Ethan and Caed get ready to cook

Monday morning Caed and his friend Ethan arrived for the first lesson.  Sarah and Stefan, our daughter-in-love and son had made aprons for the occasion, and the boys set to work. They pretty much took over the kitchen while I watched. The pies (so I hear) were delicious. 

Day One

Caed's Pie 

Ethan sifts sugar for the crème chantilly

For the next three days it was just Caed, Ted, and me. Almost always Caed took the lead and we just oversaw. We had fun, we learned a lot, and saw how to improve. It was one of the best times we’ve ever had. 

Day two

Pastry dough for Cornish pasties

A vegetarian version

Surprise! They look great!

Day Three

Making apple cake

Beautiful! And delicious

Grandpa introduces him to his great-grandmother's applesauce recipe

Day Four

Made applesauce with leftover apples

Caramel cake-and baking camp done!