A Slice of Britain: Around the country by cake by Caroline Taggart

A Slice of Britain: Around the country by cake Reviews

• 
  Kate

  A thoroughly enjoyable chatty account of Caroline Taggart's journey round England, Scotland and Wales to discover local specialities, cake wise! Obviously not everything is covered but the main places are visited. I have been to a few of the places Taggart travelled to which was nice to read about, but I also learned alot about new places too. I love the fact that most of the recipes are included so I can try them for myself. The book is a good balance between food, history, places and people. Definitely worth a read, it's not too stoggy!
• 
  Shriya

  A Slice of Britain is well written, easy to follow, with lots of recipes. Illustrations of British cakes. I even found a cake I never knew that existed in my county. I would also like to add that I flicked through lots of pages hence why the quick review. Nevertheless I did learn something. Will be on the hunt for that particular cake. I think bakers would appreciate this more.
• 
  Roslyn

  the idea of reading a whole book about british cakes and pastries sounded fantastic to me as im actually a bottomless pit with a sign on it saying “PUT CAKE HERE” disguised as a 22 year old girl.
  
  but it seems that the main wholesome british bakes are just a few variations of flour, lard, currants and spices, so not as exciting as i thought it would be.
  
  and pictures could have helped too!
• 
  Penny

  Really enjoyed this book. Simple idea to travel around Britain seeking out 'traditional' cakes, but it is very well done with a real sense of the diversity still to be found.
  The recent trend for 'heritage' food, Farmer's Markets etc have definitely seen a resurgence in 'artisan bakers' making local cakes, often seeking out old recipes. And it does seem that many people are prepared to pay out for a good quality cake even thought they can get something much cheaper at their local supermarket.
  There's a clear appreciation for quality and for the use of locally sourced ingredients.
  I was surprised (but somehow pleased) to learn that some branches of Greggs stock local cakes alongside their usual sausage rolls and pasties.
  There are many recipes in this book and I definitely intend to try some out!
• 
  Jennifer

  This was chosen as my contribution to the 'travel writing' theme of the library book cafe meeting. It seemed a very agreeable idea and perhaps less spurious than is often offered up by travel writers.
  
  Initially I found the writing a little plodding but I grew to appreciate it. This is a book which could easily have become weighed down by scholarly research but Caroline Taggart maintains the engaging approach of the interested eater. I was downright shocked that she'd never heard of Rodda's Clotted Cream before embarking on her journey.
  
  I was perhaps a little disappointed to realise how same-y regional sweet baking seems to be, but then I have not tried the recipes yet and she does describe the subtle differences well.
  
  A lot of scope for another volume I'd say although some photographs would not go amiss.
• 
  Overbooked ✎

  I liked how the author explored the tradition in the little corners of Britain by selecting and tasting the local speciality cakes, she also provides some yummy recipes along the way.
• 
  Irene

  "Sounds a bit weird? Lots of things sounded weird to me before I started this trip. I know better now. Or perhaps I've eaten so many cakes that I simply can't tell anymore." (p. 306)
  
  Truth is, that by the end of the book, Ms Taggart has eaten so many cake and I have read so much about it that neither she nor I couldn't care less about the subtle differences of yet another regional speciality. The writing becomes more cluttered towards the end of the book and the journey doesn't seem so light-hearted anymore. Nevertheless, it must have been a delicious journey and every bite as fine as the previous one.
  
  Around Britain by Cake was a sublime adventure for the senses. And more importantly, in these times of fast food, cookery magazines and an overdose of healthy eating blogs, this book was somewhat an eye-opener. First, it placed a much needed emphasis in tradition and regional pride, something which seems to be fading at times in this globalised world, though fortunately, it also appears to be making a comeback in certain communities. And secondly, it highlighted the importance of originality and its links to secrecy. Real, good recipes are, most of the time, a closely guarded secret which have been passed down on generations or sold to someone who valued them enough to pay for them. Not the way things go in our low-cost economy society.
  
  All in all, a fine, interesting book. The only downside is that you'll want to try all those cakes.