About the Author

Claire Ptak trained as a pastry chef for Alice Waters at Chez Panisse in Berkeley, California, before moving to London with her husband, where she started Violet Cakes, her stall at the popular Broadway Market in East London. Since 2005, She has sold cupcakes and other treats to a loyal following, including Jamie Oliver, Nigella Lawson and Thomasina Miers. Claire styles the weekly Ottolenghi column in The Guardian Weekend and writes seasonal recipe blogs for The Guardian website.