Today, I share the truth about press trips and a recipe for a beautiful chocolate cake that would be a marvellous addition to your Easter table. Or any table.
Sadly so familiar… those poor Mummy PRs! I was always amazed by how many theoretically adult, professional, educated people came on a press trip with no euros or whatever at all (or just a €50 note they’d probably been carrying around for years) and happily sponged off the rest of the group for coffees, beers and fags.
The beauty editor of a well known monthly who spent the last night of the press trip to Jerusalem with a rather beautiful soldier, who finally turned up seconds before we had to leave for the airport, still reeking from her skinful of Dutch Courage. The one we had to sandwich through security to avoid falling over. Her.
Dammit, I am just making Pastiera for the first time and definitely do not need a ravishing chocolate cake to add to out table for two! Love the addition of orange which I can imagine must lift it beyond the ordinary.
One of my first jobs was PR for a v smart shop on Bond Street and I was soo disappointed when I realised it was, essentially, sales (at which I was far too English to be good at).
Such an entertaining & insightful piece, Debora, thank you. I will follow your recipe to the ‘T’ & will especially enjoy ensuring there’s no delicious kirsch liquid left…happy Easter!
So, so relate to this, where friends and family believe you lead the most glamorous of lives… those early airport starts! At the same time, such a life offered me the most fulfilling experiences… sadly, without the chocolate and with too few vineyards. Lovely, joyous article!
Remember those press trips. Thanks for fond memories and a great Bundt tin recipe. Have owned a tin for years but never used it. I feel the moment has finally come
I was commissioning,at around the same time, the food pages at Womans Journal. I remember bonkers travel journalists and endless visits to nutmeg processing plants in the Caribbean. Good memory - making pesto with Valentina Harris on the harbour in Portofino!!
Oh my did this make me laugh! I rarely go on press trip for all of the hilarious and ghastly reasons you wrote about, but I just agreed to a 3 day 3 city whirlwind next month. What have I done 😂
Love the cherries and chocolate combination. This has cured me of ever wanting to go on a press trip. I was an assistante d'anglais many years ago in a town 40km North of Tain l'Hermitage and managed to miss the chocolate altogether! How can that be? Too busy exploring the wine...
Looks incredible. I want to dig into that slice.
Thank you for the chocolate recipe and that interesting story about your press trips! I'm still wondering about this zebra experience though.
Yes! The chocolate cake would be delicious anytime :)
Sadly so familiar… those poor Mummy PRs! I was always amazed by how many theoretically adult, professional, educated people came on a press trip with no euros or whatever at all (or just a €50 note they’d probably been carrying around for years) and happily sponged off the rest of the group for coffees, beers and fags.
The beauty editor of a well known monthly who spent the last night of the press trip to Jerusalem with a rather beautiful soldier, who finally turned up seconds before we had to leave for the airport, still reeking from her skinful of Dutch Courage. The one we had to sandwich through security to avoid falling over. Her.
Ah the plate of plates. So glad you still love it my friend x
Dammit, I am just making Pastiera for the first time and definitely do not need a ravishing chocolate cake to add to out table for two! Love the addition of orange which I can imagine must lift it beyond the ordinary.
One of my first jobs was PR for a v smart shop on Bond Street and I was soo disappointed when I realised it was, essentially, sales (at which I was far too English to be good at).
Such an entertaining & insightful piece, Debora, thank you. I will follow your recipe to the ‘T’ & will especially enjoy ensuring there’s no delicious kirsch liquid left…happy Easter!
So, so relate to this, where friends and family believe you lead the most glamorous of lives… those early airport starts! At the same time, such a life offered me the most fulfilling experiences… sadly, without the chocolate and with too few vineyards. Lovely, joyous article!
Never heard of a bundt tin until now but I have a Baba mould. Would that work? The idea of soaking cherries in Kirsch is irresistible.
Remember those press trips. Thanks for fond memories and a great Bundt tin recipe. Have owned a tin for years but never used it. I feel the moment has finally come
Loved this piece, thank you. As a former PR I hear you! Off to purchase a bundt tin tomorrow ☺️
I was commissioning,at around the same time, the food pages at Womans Journal. I remember bonkers travel journalists and endless visits to nutmeg processing plants in the Caribbean. Good memory - making pesto with Valentina Harris on the harbour in Portofino!!
Adore this piece and married to a food editor
relate to everything you talk about.Bravo!!!
Oh my did this make me laugh! I rarely go on press trip for all of the hilarious and ghastly reasons you wrote about, but I just agreed to a 3 day 3 city whirlwind next month. What have I done 😂
Love the cherries and chocolate combination. This has cured me of ever wanting to go on a press trip. I was an assistante d'anglais many years ago in a town 40km North of Tain l'Hermitage and managed to miss the chocolate altogether! How can that be? Too busy exploring the wine...