Tommy of ‘This is Naive’
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It’s Monday late evening. The children are asleep upstairs & the house has a blissful hush except for the distant humming of the fridge. There’s still washing-up to do in the kitchen from dinner, but instead I sit typing this because I finally have a chance to share with you the exciting news I’ve been dying to tell you since the weekend.
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Tommy from ‘This is Naive’ has featured me for her ‘People at work’ series! It comes with a whopping 52 pictures of me & how I work at home & at the market. I’ve never had photographs taken while working in the kitchen, & I am so chuffed to bits – please check it out on her blog page!
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Tommy is a Super Woman. Fact. I truly dig her passion for photography, blogging, & honing in on sharpening ‘her very own’ style. I love people who follow through their ‘Passion’ & it was with pleasure that I got to spend time with her for three days in a row! We talked loads & loads – we seem to have similar opinion on a lot of the things!! ^^
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So on Thursday I piped, rolled & coated chocolate truffles in front of her.
And then on Friday, Tommy stayed on a bit longer to photograph the process of:
– lemon drizzle cake (which is her favourite cake)
– baked cheese cake
– lemon cream
– & tart bases filled with crème d’amandes. 
I didn’t get to show her any of the decorating because it happens at night after the children are in bed… Which is a shame because I would’ve loved Tommy to have taken beautiful pictures for those too!
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On Saturday early morning at the Market, Tommy came while I was still setting up. While taking pictures, an eight year old girl who often hangs out with me (her mum is another stall holder) was counting the truffles as she always does. She also told us a few jokes which made us laugh. Wanna know what the joke was? 
Little girl: “What do you call a blind deer?”
Me: “Er…, I don’t know, I have no idea…”
Little girl: “You silly! It’s No-eye-deer” LOL! “Here’s another one. What do you call a blind deer with no legs?”
Me:“Oh dear… er…, er…”
Little girl: “Still no-eye-deer!!!!”
Me: D’oh!
… Ah yes, a very silly joke indeed, but it still made us laugh okay?!
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Anyway, enjoy Tommy’s Coco&Me documentary!
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(All three photographs above taken by Tommy of ‘This is Naive’)
Thank you! It was fun to watch the process of the cakes I like to eat. I wish I got up earlier on those two prep days. You’ve probably discovered by now that I am extremely flawed when it comes to time-keeping.
And yes, that was a good joke!
Comment by tommy - May 10, 2010 11:28 pm
Hey Tommy!! How cool of you to be the first to comment! ^^ Thanks! – Am currently in process of preparing for the tea party I mentioned… I’ll definately contact you when ready!! xx
Comment by tamami - May 10, 2010 11:37 pm
we’re strangers worlds apart but for some reason im truly happy for you
Comment by Tian - May 11, 2010 3:13 am
Tommy’s blog is how I found out about you, your amazing process, and your delicious-looking treats! I’m just sad that I live an ocean away and can’t enjoy them for myself :(
Comment by Jennifer - May 11, 2010 4:14 am
Wow… thank you for sharing this! What a nice way to start the week :)
Since when have you been putting the rabbits on the tarts? They’re adorable! xx
Comment by Rachel - May 11, 2010 4:21 am
Thank you Tian! That means a lot to me!
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Hello Jennifer! Welcome to my blog! Hope to hear from again!
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Hey Rachel! I’m glad you like the bunnies! The rabbit biscuits – I wanted the tarts to have that something “extra” if you know what I mean!?
Comment by tamami - May 11, 2010 10:40 am
I can’t stand watching all these beatiful pictures from here without smelling perfumes… I think I’ll come to London one of these days and look at your stall nearer!
Comment by acquaviva - May 11, 2010 12:26 pm
Tamami, I’m so happy. Tommy is one of my very favourite londoners and I love her people at work series.
I shall definitely visit your stall one day if I ever manage to get a saturday off. xx
Comment by fanny - May 11, 2010 2:03 pm
Acquaviva! I’ll be waiting for you!!
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Hello Fanny, really really lovely to hear from you! I’ve been meaning to write to you, especially now that you’re in Ldn! I hope you get a day off on Saturday very soon then so that we can meet!
Comment by tamami - May 11, 2010 4:38 pm
I read Tommy’s post. Great article & photos of you. But I have a problem. I’m totally drooling & want to come & shop at your stall but I’m all the way down here!
Comment by cocopuff1212 - May 11, 2010 6:21 pm
Hello Cocopuff1212!!!!! Thank you! ^^ One day perhaps you’ll make your way to East London?!
Comment by tamami - May 12, 2010 9:36 am
Beautiful photos! Thank you for sharing these. I want to come and visit your kitchen too one day!!!
Comment by Banhmi11 - May 12, 2010 11:43 am
Hello Anh & Van! Thank you!! I’d love to visit your kitchen one day too!! xx
Comment by tamami - May 12, 2010 12:20 pm
Luv this post! I have always wondered how you find the time to make all your amazing treats in your own kitchen. Really inspiring ♥♡♥♥♡♥
Comment by rosie - May 12, 2010 2:58 pm
Thank you Rosie!!!! I was thinking maybe for a future post I should list how my schedule works! Thank you for commenting!! Hope to hear from you again one day!
Comment by tamami - May 12, 2010 4:00 pm
Absolutly gorgeous !!!! I love the tommy’s job in your kitchen,and the whole blog too !!!Why don’t you came to barcelona and we open a “tamami bakery”in the ramblas….??!! kisses from spain…Giovanna
Comment by giovanna - May 12, 2010 5:38 pm
Giovanna, “Tamami Bakery”!! ooooh… I wish…!! (sigh). Maybe one day… although it’s very unlikely//// (sob)
xx
Comment by tamami - May 12, 2010 8:34 pm
Such lovely photos of all of your hard work.. Also, I noticed that you were using the bird print on the cheesecakes now instead of the unicorn, which is absolutely beautiful! It was very nice of you to share the photos with us. Posting your schedule is a great idea..I hope you can find the time! That is a lot of work and a lot of cleaning up…
Comment by Heidy - May 12, 2010 10:52 pm
Hello Heidy!!
I do unicorn pattern & also multiple-birdy pattern depending on mood! I especially do the birdy one for the “cut” cakes so that each slice has a bird, if you know what I mean! – Ah, and yes,,, LOADS of washing up… (sigh!)
Comment by tamami - May 13, 2010 1:31 am
it’s a great spread! you & tommy make a great team–still lusting after your rolling pin, btw. & thanks for the joke. ;)
Comment by petoskystone - May 13, 2010 2:35 pm
Tamami! It’s so nice to see your face and your studio in This is Naive blog :-)
Actually I came across her blog last year when I was researching about San Francisco! Bikkuri! Your sweets look so good! I wonder when I can try them… x
Comment by jun - May 13, 2010 8:05 pm
Thank you Petoskystone!!!!! The rolling pin – I can’t remember for the life of me where I got it from… So long ago… If I ever do remember, I’ll let you know!! xx
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Oh my! Hello Jun chan!! So lovely to get a comment from you! xx How’s things??
Comment by tamami - May 13, 2010 8:23 pm
Reading your blog makes me want to bake again. Thank you for inspiring me. Its a shame I live too far to try your cheesecake T_T
Comment by bertie - May 14, 2010 4:29 pm
Hello Bertie! Thank you! I hope that you do start baking! It is so much fun! xx
Comment by tamami - May 14, 2010 8:19 pm
Gorgeous photos – I loved seeing how you make the patterns on the cakes. Must come down to the market soon to pick up something sweet!
Comment by Gemma - May 16, 2010 9:12 am
Thank you Gemma!!!!!! Hope to see you down there one day then!! xx
Comment by tamami - May 16, 2010 10:03 am
Hi Tamami, I was always impressed by what you do, but after seeing Tommy’s pictures, I’m even more impressed. Before, I didn’t have a clear idea of just how many cakes/tarts and other goodies you sell at your stand. It’s a lot! I don’t see how you do it, you only have one oven, right?! You should see my tiny kitchen here in Paris, I only have a toaster oven and an under-the-counter fridge!
Comment by Jennifer K - May 16, 2010 4:31 pm
Hello Jennifer K!
I make loooaaads of choc/ cake!! I make too much. – As for the oven – I have just one, which is underneath the cooker hob. It’s bad for my back that I have to crouch down everytime!! But I do have a large fridge tho! Your kitchen may be small, but you live in Paris!! I would love to live in Paris one day…!!
Comment by tamami - May 17, 2010 8:06 am
test test
Comment by tamami - May 19, 2010 12:44 pm
LOL..what’s this TEST TEST???
Anyway…been to Tommy’s blog and I Love IT! You’re one tough lady! I admired you so much and your passion for baking. I’m trying to get back into baking even though am busy with my 4 year old (and you have to 2 to worry about + the Dad!) who’s eager to help with baking and wants to be a Cookie Monster!
I was about to visit East London with my Japanese friends (yes…to visit and chomp your bakes!) last year (I was back in Belgium July-November) but the plan was cancelled as I had to return back to Southeast Asia earlier than scheduled due to certain flights reshuffled :-(
I definitely have to meet you :-D
All my best wishes and blessing to your family and success!
Comment by pixen - May 21, 2010 3:36 am
Hi Tamami!
Met you today at Broadway market…i was the oriental girl in a striped tee and bought your cheese cake and your dark choc tart. I absolutely HEART them both!! ate half of each on the way home and thought i’d be nice and leave some for the boyfriend. OH WELL> The dark choc tart was so suitably dark and i never liked tart bases but AM completely partial to yours. I need to go back and try the others!! Do you do special orders by any chance?
So glad I got to meet u and try your cakes.
MAjor YUM factor!
have a great weekend!
Yvonne
Comment by Yvonne - May 22, 2010 2:11 pm
The photos look lovely – is there any chance of posting a recipe for the noodles you made for lunch….. (don’t worry if you’re busy though, I know you must have a lot of things on the To Post list). I am pregnant and all I want is salty, savoury food (a real change from my usual sweet tooth), especially sushi with lots of soy. I know they say you shouldn’t eat it, but I only buy it from places that make it fresh so I tell myself it’s OK.
Comment by Zoe - May 23, 2010 5:07 pm
Hi Pixen!
Ah, yeah, the “test test”… lol, the comment function was down briefly & I was checking it! And then I forgot to delete it! Oh never mind! – – – Cookie monster!! LOL! – – – And please do visit me one day!! xx
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Hello Yvonne!
Wowww! Thank you xx So lovely to get a feedback! The tart bases, I agree, it is often boring aren’t they? But I put in some almond powder in it, & I think maybe that is the secret! xx
And yess! I do special orders! (but usually just for a pick up on Saturdays at the market…)
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Zoe! Congratulations on your pregnancy! xx It’s weird isn’t it when tastes change! In my case, I craved sweet stuff AFTER giving birth, probably to give oneself rewards for the sleepless nights with the baba.
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Anyways, basic yakisoba recipe:
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Oil… 1 tea spoon
Noodles… 1 bag
Thinly cut pork (or unsmoked bacon)… 30g
Cabbage… 50g
Hot water… a dash
Worcestershire sauce… 1.5 table spoon
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Fry the bacon, then cabbage in the frying pan. Chuck in the loosened noodles, followed by a dash of hot water if it needs it. Put the lid on to steam cook for a minute. Then stir in the sauce!
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Note: I add all sorts of vegetables in like onion, mushroom, baby corn, spinach according to what’s in my fridge.
Ps: Although, I have to admit, rather than the recipe above, I did cheat & use a Japanese package that came with it’s own sauce! xx
Comment by tamami - May 23, 2010 7:10 pm
Thank you so much! It sounds good and salty… and yes it’s great how your tastes change (after the first three months anyway….) I finally see why people love savoury food. Still love sweet stuff though… just logged on to find your banana cake recipe xx
Comment by Zoe - May 25, 2010 7:53 pm
No prob Zoe! I must admit though that the worcestershire sauce may not be the same as those japanese special packs, but I thought maybe it maybe a good alternative!
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The banana cake recipe is at:
https://www.cocoandme.com/2008/02/01/childrens-birthday-cake-trains-with-banana-cake-recipe/
Please skip the piping bag part if you’re using a standard mold! And adjust the oven time according to your pan size.
Happy Baking!! xx
Comment by tamami - May 25, 2010 10:12 pm
Tamamiiii!
I love the pictures of you hard at work on Tommy’s site – beautiful! So you make lovely cakes, lovely truffles, lovely children… Oh yes and lovely vibes!
xxxxxx
Comment by Angela G B - May 28, 2010 5:06 pm
so delightful to see photos of your beautiful creations and you! the next time we’re in London, we will be sure to stop by your stall.
Comment by Roxanne - May 29, 2010 7:21 pm
I’m caming!!! Really, I can’t still believe it but I’ll be in London on June 19th… and it’s saturday!!!
Well, obviously I’ll come to Broadway Market and I hope to meet you… and all your wonderful creations!
Wow, see you soon!!!
Comment by acquaviva - May 30, 2010 9:11 am
Oh Angie darlin’…! And don’t forget, I have a lovely friend in you! xx
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Hello Roxanne!! Looking forward to seeing you one day!
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OH! Acquaviva! How exciting!!! Thank you for thinking of coming to the Market! Hope the weather turns up well! See you there!!
Comment by tamami - May 31, 2010 3:40 am
The plum peach cakes I had today were fabulous!
Comment by Leah - June 12, 2010 1:26 pm
Oh My!!! Thank you Leah!! ^^ How lovely to get feedback on those! – It’s my new product, instead of chocolate truffles for the Summer! x
Comment by tamami - June 13, 2010 1:54 am
Hi, I love reading your blog. I will be in London from July 4-9, unfortunately not over a Saturday. Can you suggest some must see food places for us. Off the beaten track is good for us. We will also be in bath July 5, Monday, if there are any recommendations there. Thank you so much for all your inspiration
Comment by karen Zivan - June 13, 2010 5:47 am
Thanks Karen!! It’ll be a shame not to get to see you… Especially as on July the 10th there is something special that is to happen that I am going to announce shortly…
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But here’s two ideas for food-visits in London:
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– Borough Market on Thurs/ Fri/ Sat. Go around lunch time, purchase some goodies & sit on the lawn by the Cathedral.
(Check out http://www.boroughmarket.org.uk/ ) If you’re in to film-knowledge, The Globe Pub on Bedale Street in the midst of the market is where Bridget Jones’s flat was.
– And then you can perhaps go on to nice walk by the river towards the Tate Modern Gallery & the wobbly bridge.
– On the way toward the gallery, you can walk via Park Street where Lock Stock was filmed, & then why not get a cheeky pint of beer at The Anchor pub, where, if weather permits, take it out to enjoy looking at boats going by. (The last scene of Mission Impossible was shot here!)
– ((I used to live around there! Loved it so much that the area was used for films. I also saw Park Street become New York Chinatown (‘What a girl wants’, 2003). And on one very drunken night, I walked in to the door of Harry Potter’s ‘The Leaky Cauldron’. And on another occassion, D saw the purple triple decker bus too! He hadn’t an idea that it was for a film so it was very loopy for him! Lol!))
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– One can have classy cakes at Yauatcha on Broadwick Street, Soho. Nearby, infact a mere 5 minute walk from there, you can perhaps buy Beard Papa ‘choux cream’ for late night consumption at the hotel. Beard Papa is at 143 Oxford Street, on the corner of Berwick Street.
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Hope this is atall useful! Enjoy your visit to London Karen!! xx
Comment by tamami - June 13, 2010 4:32 pm
Thanks Tamami for the recommendations, I have now had about 20 bowls of noodles with lots of soy, oyster, chilli bean and mint but gone off salty stuff now… weirdness of pregnancy!
The banana cake was really good, I was not used to that method but it made it really light and spongy, completely different from the normal banana cake, and not too sweet… delicious.
Comment by Zoe - June 18, 2010 10:20 am
Zoe! 20 bowls!!!!!? ;) Wow! You really went for it huh? :) And thank you for your comment re: banana cake!! xx
Comment by tamami - June 19, 2010 12:33 am
Hi Tamami, I absolutely love the pictures that Tommy took of you and your work!! Everything looks delicioso(delicious)!!
I keep going through the pictures to see if I can pick up any tips, as always I just start to drool over the pastries!!Enjoy your day!
Comment by Diana - July 20, 2010 3:59 am
Diana, yeah Tommy takes amazing pictures doesn’t she! Somehow, the analogue camera takes better pictures, …at least in her hands anyway! – Although the decor in my kitchen is not to my taste tho (speckled marble counter & yellow cream walls), if I had lots of money I’d overhaul it completely!
Comment by tamami - July 20, 2010 11:11 am
Hello , I really like your photo with the woman by the stall and I was wondering if I could use it for my ICT GCSE ? Your blog is amazing and I’d really appreciate it if I could use your photo in a powerpoint presentation, Thank you x
Comment by Sophie Price - May 25, 2011 8:15 am
Sophie, that’s sweet, but unfortunately, the picture you mention is not taken by me, but by a photographer called Tommy from http://www.thisisnaive.com. Perhaps you can ask her, or if not, you can use my picture on: https://www.cocoandme.com/about-cocome-this-blog-me/
… which is mine.
Thanks for asking!!!
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