Flora Shedden was the youngest ever contestant when she took part in the 2015 Great British Bake Off. She comes from my parents' neck-of-the-woods in Perthshire, so as the local girl we were cheering her on. She reached the semi-final in fine style and impressed everyone with her skill, creativity, and flair under pressure.
Flora's first book, Gatherings, is out today, but I was able to pick up a copy in Topping & Co., St. Andrews at the weekend so I've had a good look at it already and it's excellent - full of delicious-looking, easily-made food. Thus far we've made the Slow Roast Pork Belly with Mustard Mash and Onions, and the Greens, Quinoa and Black Onion Seed Salad, both dishes worth repeating soon.
The book is subtitled 'Recipes for Feasts Great and Small', and described as "a mixture of modern dishes, staple snacks, salads and sides, interesting bakes, and puddings perfect to end a feast with. Nothing overly fussy or complicated, just tasty, pretty plates of food." Visually it's a delight, but it's a work of substance as well as style, a book I'm keen to cook more from.
Well done to Flora for her debut, and good luck to her for the forthcoming opening of her shop in Dunkeld - I'm looking forward to being a customer.
Flora was a favourite in our house for that series. Oh to have had that much focus at her age. The book looks beautiful...and so is the website! Thanks, Karen.
Posted by: Cosy Books | 26 January 2017 at 03:28 PM
Ooo, I didn't know she was opening her own shop, I look forward to it.
Posted by: Claire | 26 January 2017 at 08:35 PM
Do tell me more about the shop (for obvious reasons!). P xx
Posted by: Dark Puss | 26 January 2017 at 09:44 PM
Thank you for flagging this up. I didn't know she was publishing a book. Also please more information on the shop and when? Thank you!
Posted by: Anne B-A | 27 January 2017 at 07:56 AM
You're welcome!
Posted by: Cornflower | 28 January 2017 at 02:20 PM
For everyone who has asked about the shop, it's in the heart of Dunkeld (presumably the main street or the square), will be open some time in the spring, and will sell bread, cakes, pastries, and other foodie bits and pieces - this was on Flora's Instagram posting.
Posted by: Cornflower | 28 January 2017 at 02:24 PM
Thank you! Is it replacing the deli on the corner where the High Street and Atholl Street cross I wonder?
Posted by: Dark Puss | 28 January 2017 at 05:56 PM
Menzies? Has that closed?
Posted by: Cornflower | 28 January 2017 at 06:01 PM
No, but it was somewhat diminished the last time I went there. BTW there is a new deli in Pitlochry more or less as you come to the start of the Victorian town proper on the old A9 from the South.
Posted by: Dark Puss | 28 January 2017 at 06:27 PM
I can think of a few potential shops where it might be going but certainly the old deli shop is a great site, it would be good for Dunkeld to have it there. Exciting.
Posted by: Claire | 28 January 2017 at 08:30 PM
She has taken over the old newsagents which is opposite the Deli at the intersection of Atholl and High Street. What little I could find out is in this article.
Posted by: Dark Puss | 29 January 2017 at 04:29 PM
Flora's our local girl too, so I am looking forward to being a regular customer! Yes, the shop will be opposite Menzies (which itself is looking up again after a woeful interlude under previous management). She hopes to open by Easter.
Posted by: Kate | 30 January 2017 at 07:31 PM
Ah, good news about the deli. I had given up on it so did not visit it this New Year.
Posted by: Dark Puss | 30 January 2017 at 07:36 PM