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One of the most crucial pieces of information I was taught in culinary school is " We eat with our eyes." People love to eat things that are visually appealing. This is why plating was one of the concepts that had its own class. As an entrepreneur, I realized I could make a plate look great in person but wasn't sure how to photograph it. At that time I had a Samsung S7 and phones didn't have the cameras on them that they do now. I took pictures without knowing how lighting and color palates could affect my pictures. Staging is Key to telling the story Once I found out what my issues were when it came to my photos such as lighting. I did some research. I went to YouTube and found a page called The Bite Shot. Joanie Simon taught me all the essentials of lighting and how you could create moods in your photos. Not only that but how to get cheap props to make your photos tell a story. Staging your photos and adding motion to them makes it easier for the viewer to imagine what having that product would be like. There are many ways one can tell a story with a photo. Using interesting backdrops and props can help paint the picture. Where Can I Find Affordable Props? Goodwill Target Dollar Spot Five Below Michael's pOp shelf Taking Joanie's advice I went to my local Goodwill and started looking for flatware and crockery. I looked for pieces that I could visualize seeing my baked goods on. Personally, I love square plates to me they add more balance. Goodwill is a great place to find unique plates with character. The Target dollar spot has many seasonal items that come into the store. You can find many props: tea towels, faux plants, glass vases, and various risers and plates. Most of which aren't any more than 5 dollars each. Target's Opal House collection also has many options for unique plate ware. Five below has plenty of options for photography props such as faux plants and customizable decor like letter boards. These items are helpful for displays for pop-up shops.

I was introduced to baking at a young age by my great great aunt Marilynn. She made many things like yeast rolls, biscuits,and pound cake. Every time she made pound cake my cousin and I would fight for the spoon or the bowl. Each time one was made I always had the privilege of having a piece. One day I came home from school and she had made one. I couldn't wait to have a piece. So I asked "Auntie, can I have a piece of pound cake?" She said no. I couldn't believe my ears. But I went on to do my homework at the kitchen table. The cake was on the counter. Every so often I'd look at the cake then go back to my homework. Then finally I heard a voice that said "Ashley!" It was the cake! "Ashley, come get a slice of me." I responded "No cake! Auntie said I can't have any." To which the cake replied" Well what if you just take a little nibble of my crumbly top?" I said "well, that couldn't hurt." So I went over and took a few pieces off the top then went back to doing my homework. Those few pieces were so delicious that it called me back for more. Before I knew it I had eaten the whole top off of the cake! When I realized what I had done I had to come up with a plan and act natural. I did my best attempt at trying to cover the top but failed. Sooner or later my great great aunt was going to come back and see the damage I had done. So I'm doing my homework sweating bullets. Finally my aunt walks into the room. She walks to the counter, looks at the cake and says "Ashley, what happened to the cake?" I said " I don't know Auntie I've been sitting here doing my homework. " She knew I was the only one who could have done it as I was an only child. Years later she reminded me of the story and said I never apologized for it. I said I was sorry but I felt it was worth it. I would definitely go back at do it again!

It's A Piece of Cake Baking is a precise art that can be difficult at first. Most people find it hard because they haven't figured out that baking is simply formulas. Once you figure out the formula, you have unlocked the ability to make and create any recipe. The Anatomy of a Recipe Every recipe written follows the same format made of several parts: the title,the ingredients list, the yield,and the M.O.P. or method of preparation. The ingredients list is written in the order in which the ingredients should be incorporated. For example, in the Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe the butter and sugar are listed first. It is universally understood that the butter and sugar need to be creamed. After you add the extracts and eggs. You must mix all the wet ingredients before adding the dry. The yield is the most important part of a recipe. It tells how much a recipe makes, which is key to costing. Bakers math is the fundamentals of this concept. The yield formula which is new yield/old yield. Sara needs to make 400 cookies for the bake sale. She looks and sees the yield is 20 cookies. She divides 400 into 20. The yield formula results that she needs to make 20 times the original recipe. Finally, we have the method of preparation. It's very self-explanatory! This section tells you everything you will need to know to execute the recipe. Pro Bakers rarely use the M.O.P. if they know what type of recipe they are making. For example, a cookie or cake recipe will use the creaming method. If you are making Biscuits or Scones it's understood that you will cut your butter into the flour and rub it until it's in pea-sized pieces. Then you will mix the dough by hand and fold the dough into layers. By learning basic methods and remembering the format you now have the freedom to make your own recipes.

1. Nadiya Bakes 2. The Great British Bake Off 3. Nailed It 4. Bake Squad 5. Is That Cake Nadiya Bakes Nadiya Hussain first appeared on the third season of The Great British Bake Off. She was a kind woman who was quirky and sometimes unsure of her Bakes. For me she was an underdog she went on to win that season. In this show which consists of eight episodes, she not only shares her recipes but gives a spotlight to other Bakers in her community. She reminds me of Tabitha Brown with her bright colors and sunshine spirit. My favorite dessert has to be the Scandinavian Biscuit tower she makes in episode eight Celebration Bakes. The tower consists of almond cookie rings, lemon icing,and black sesame seeds and edible flowers to garnish. It looks like something you would see at a very posh high tea. The Great British Bake Off The show first aired in 2010 and now has 12 seasons. The judges for the beginning seasons were Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood. From this show we get so many fun memes. The premise of the show is 12 hopeful amateur bakers come to the infamous tent surrounded by lush pastures and scenery to te st their baking skills. Nailed It We have seen plenty of shows where people bake magnificent masterpieces but what happens when they completely fail and miss the mark entirely? Host Nicole Byer and Jacques Torres judge the attempts at extravagant creations to see if bakers truly did "nail it". Bake Squad Milk Bar CEO Christina Tosi gathers her friends Ashley Holt, Maya Camille Broussard,Christophe Rull and Gonzo Jimenez. To make dessert that will wow party guests. All are experts in different forms of patisserie such as chocolate, sugar work, and plated desserts. Is It Cake Remember seeing Reels on Instagram of ordinary objects only to see a giant knife come into the next frame, cut them and reveal that it was cake all along? Host Mikey Day (who has had appearances on SNL and Wildin Out), gives me the same vibes as Justin Willman (Host of Cupcake Wars 2009 2018). Who are you, why are you here, and most importantly when are you going to shut up!? If you can get past the laugh track worthy quips it's an enjoyable watch.