Last week I did a baking demonstration at Chefs Warehouse in Cape Town. I love that place: they always have a special shape of baking tin for me to add to my prized collection – not to mention the cookie cutters.

My latest purchase was a madeleine tray, which I just had to have after reminiscing about one of my very first fine-dining experiences in London at Langan’s Brasserie many moons ago. Tiny, hot, lemony madeleines – dripping with butter – were wrapped in a linen napkin and served as friandes.

It was at this same restaurant that I tasted escargot in their shells for the first time and, to my utter horror, shot a garlicky one right across the dining room with my silver tongs.

One of the treats I demonstrated last week was a tray of madeleines topped with a rose drizzle icing. I adore anything rose flavoured, and the real-deal rose essence, available at Chefs Warehouse, is worth every cent.

On Friday I ate at La Colombe, where chef Scot Kirton prepared a pre-dessert of rose and coconut panna cotta for me. Glorious. He has since promised to turn it into a full-bloomed rosy dessert. Needless to say, I left the restaurant with a little brown paper packet of Turkish delight.

And I couldn't resist all those strawberries at Woolworths this weekend, so I whipped up some homemade strawberry and rose ice-cream.

Summer is on its way!

Happy eating.

Abigail 

Image: Titine