Mel is in the mood for a blooming great tea party
TV favourite Mel Giedroyc is urging people to hold a Blooming Great Tea Party in aid of Marie Curie this summer
SHE learned a thing or two about cakes as a presenter on the BBC’s Great British Bake Off, and now Mel Giedroyc is putting those skills to use for a good cause.
The TV presenter is supporting Marie Curie’s Blooming Great Tea Party, from June 23 to 25, which encourages friends, families or colleagues to host a tea party, bake sale or special tea break to raise funds.
Mel, who has supported the campaign for the last four years says: “I’m supporting the Blooming Great Tea Party because it is the most sublimely joyous, wondrous event that takes place in June for the best cause. My top tip would be to invite more people than you can possibly fit into your house. They will squeeze, don’t worry. For cake, people will do anything.”
The money raised will help Marie Curie provide vital care and support for people living with a terminal illness, and their families.
“I will bake some refrigerator cake,” says Mel. “My mum’s recipe – it’s delicious. I’ll bake some bread and I will bake for my gluten/dairy intolerant friend some coeliac muffins. They’re quite bleak, but nice.”
And does Mel have a signature bake? “A ‘No knead loaf’ – immensely lazy. Leave it for 18 hours, turn it, sprinkle semolina on and bake it and it’s like sour-dough. People have been impressed.”
The comedian, who presented Bake Off with pal Sue Perkins, and judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood, before it was controversially bought by Channel 4 last year, includes two of her former colleagues when asked who would be on her dream tea party guest list: “Bowie, Kate Bush, Javier Bardem, Berry, and Sue,” Mel replies.
And her favourite cake/ biscuit?
“I’m a 1970’s girl; Battenberg,” she says. “It’s the deconstruction of it. I remember as a kid, peeling off the outer marzipan and eating the individual squares. So good. I love marzipan.”
So join Mel for a slice of the action and have a blooming great time while raising money for Marie Curie – there’s never been a better reason to put the kettle on.
Here are some of Mel’s recipes to try at home for your tea party...