The Art of Baking Blind by Sarah Vaughan

The Art of Baking Blind by Sarah Vaughan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A solid 4 stars for this food related book by Sarah Vaughan. Taking place in England, this book is based on a contest, much like the popular Great British Bake Off, where home cooks come together on a series of weekends to produce delicious cakes, breads, biscuits, pastries, and pies, with the goal being named the next Mrs. Eaden, a cookbook author and scion of the Eaden grocery chain. The book goes behind the scenes to delve into the cooking life, family life and motivations of the five contestants. Jenny is an older women with three just grown daughters and a marriage that is on the rocks, Karen has two teenaged children and a secret past that haunts her. Mike is the only male contestant, a widower with two young children, Chloe, a single mother of a young daughter, and Vicki, a mother of a little boy, who is struggling to discover who she is and what she wants from her life. Each contestant has their own struggles, with most of them competing for a sense of validation. Chloe, however, has an added incentive, winning would help her provide a better life for her daughter. As the series progresses, friendships are formed, personalities are revealed, and a possible future romance is hinted at.
Running along side of this story line is the story of the actual Mrs. Eaden, her life and heartbreaks, and each chapter begins with a piece of advice from her original cookbook, The Art of Baking (1966).
A very satisfying read, especially recommend for people who like to bake, Anglophiles, and fans of baking/cooking competitions.
Book 105 in 2020.



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