[takethecake]

Hello, fellow foodies!

I'm new to the boards and hope to gain much insight from all of you, as well as provide as much of my own insight as I can, being an "at home cook." I'm a graduate student studying to be a teacher, and as such I enjoy any creative outlet I can find. Cooking, and recently baking, have become my new favorites. I've been doing some experimentation with fondant and making flavored icings, as well as trying my hand at some vegan cooking and baking. I'm not vegan, but I find that a lot of processed food that labels itself as vegan is, well, just processed and has almost nothing natural in it. The best way to eat healthy is to cook healthy. The best way to cook healthy is to use real ingredients!

I mainly joined the boards here to learn more about baking, since it is as scientific as it is artful. I will eventually post photos of my cakes in my profile.

Well, I feel I've rambled on enough, so - I look forward to talking with all of you!

Ciao ~ Laura

[Ishbel]

Hello and welcome to ChefTalk.

We have all levels of ability on here, from those just starting out on their culinary adventures to masterchefs! I'm a keen amateur and have been lucky enough to do cookery courses all over Europe, which helped immensely with my skills.

I hope you will enjoy reading some of the articles on here. The photographs, too, are amazing - we have lots of gifted cake icing professionals.

Please feel free to join in on any thread you find of interest - or start your own. All we ask is that those of us who are not in any of the culinary professions should not post in the Professional fora. I enjoy reading them, though, and have managed to gain a lot of useful information!