As a child, I was always appreciative of what my parent’s provided for me.  Even though I grew up in a modest household, and there were always plenty of families around with (seemingly) more, I truly did feel grateful for what I had.

I knew of the challenges my parents faced as children themselves.  Growing up in war-torn London during WWII.  I remember the stories.  About the night bombings.  Carrying gas masks to school.  The daily air raid sirens and shelters.  The food rationing.  Waking up and discovering half of the houses in your street were missing … replaced by rubble.

In comparison, I lived in nirvana.  I felt lucky.

My childhood was full listening to these stories, and of the connections to London and, of course, to England.  Food was one of those connections.  Whenever we did have dessert, or ‘afters’, it was invariably British.  I did not necessarily realise that for the longest time.  It was all I knew.  It was just what my mother made.

Right now, I feel blessed.  I am happy, healthy, have a loving husband and my own family on the way.  I think back on my own childhood, and of what childhood memories I will help shape, for baby Mélanger.  Food will certainly be the focus of a number of those memories.

What an absolute honour and privilege it will be to be part of that influence.

The food of my childhood is firmly rooted in English origins.  This month, I am excited to create a few traditional British desserts, but in my own little way.  Last month, Finnish desserts.  This month, British desserts.  The discovery continues to find even more desserts that will certainly be popular in the  Mélanger soon-to-be-expanded home.