Back from a holiday, and its Graduation season!

It's been such a busy month that I didn't have time to post anything new on my blog. When you are working all by yourself and juggling chores, meeting clients' demands and trying to get things fixed (oh and squeezing in a holiday in Donsol, Sorsogon!), some things get inevitably pushed to the back burner and I'm very easy to forget. Like I almost forgot I had this blog.

Just a couple of weeks ago, I was able to reconnect with a previous employer and apparently, he needed someone to make desserts and train the kitchen staff for a resort somewhere in Western Visayas. Since this would mean additional income which I could use as capital for my business, I did not dare say no. And as usual, we had very limited time to prepare for a food tasting that was due only a few days after I got in touch with my boss. Not long after that, I was literally running to get everything done in one day for the food tasting that was scheduled only a day after I got the money for the ingredients. Did I mention that I live in Marikina and the food tasting was going to be held at the resort owner's residence in far-away Ayala Alabang? Whew!

My boss' appetizers of shrimp pesto in wonton cups and smoked fish triangles

My attempt at L'Opera

Coconut Panna Cotta with Mango Ice Cream

The set up at the food tasting

Deconstructed? Cheesecake mousse enrobed in white chocolate, on a bed of graham and berry compote

And just recently, I just got back from trip in Donsol, Sorsogon, Philippines where I got to swim with whale sharks.They are amazing creatures and one's trip to Donsol won't be complete without at least one whale shark interaction. It was well worth the aching legs and sore arms, but I was looking forward to a couple of days' rest when I got home.  But being that Graduation season was in full swing when I got home, I soon got orders for cupcakes a day after arriving in Manila. I was so happy that the volume of orders was picking up and that I had enough ingredients to meet that demand. But I admit, I could have used another day just lounging in bed. But like Lyn always tells me, it's a happy problem. Indeed, I'd rather struggle to meet a lot of orders than have no orders to meet at all!

Here's one of the cupcake orders I delivered for a graduation celebration. It was for Charo's cousin who just received her degree in Tourism. She is a big fan of Paris Hilton and pink was the perfect color to use for the frostings and decor.

"That's hot. Loves it!"

Red Velvet cupcakes

Vanilla cupcakes

April is going to be even busier since I will be making desserts and training staff in a resort in Western Visayas for a little while. It's going to be hard work but it is a perfect opportunity to keep my skills in check and to earn a little extra for my business. All in all, March was a great month for The Twin Sisters Bakeshoppe and I can't wait for what April has in store. Just keep the happy problems coming!!!

Congratulations Batch 2011!!!

And my official business name is...*DRUMROLL PLEASE!*

THE TWIN SISTERS

BAKESHOPPE

Finally! A business name that I can call my own. And I have the official document to prove it! Pretty soon you will find changes in the website, but my products are still the same and still available!

Keep the orders coming! You may still contact me through the number and email posted in my temporary multiply site. You can find the link on the side bar of the blog.

Thanks for visiting!

XOXO,

Cho

The Embarassing Story of Why I'm Changing My Otherwise Perfect Business Name

What happens when you put your complete trust in a web-based business registration service? You end up changing the business name you so passionately set your heart on.

Here's what really happened. And I admit, the Department of Trade and Industry isn't entirely at fault here. Because of my excitement, I kept putting off getting my business registered and working instead on the goods to sell, the packaging, and of course, the logo. Silly me. I was confident that the name I wanted was not yet taken because when I checked it online, records did not show a business registered under the same name. I knew I had to register it eventually, but for the life of me, I don't know why I didn't do it sooner rather than later. 

When I finally had the money and the time to have it duly registered at a DTI office, I had my heart set on the name Sweet Addictions. To say that I was extremely frustrated to find out that there was a bakeshop outside Manila registered under the same name is an understatement. The only difference is that they used the singular form of the noun. I sat there at the officer's desk, wasting his time while trying to think for an alternative name, only to get turned down every time because every name I mentioned was already taken. I even called Charo for rescue but she insisted that I abort the registration because I might settle for a name I wasn't happy with. I went home feeling defeated and tired. It was a good thing that Lyn invited me for drinks at her house that night because I badly needed one. As much as I was frustrated at the flaws of the online services of DTI, I couldn't put the blame entirely on them. So that evening, I just blamed it on the ah-ah-ah-ah-a-alcohol!

I really hate to change it, but given the circumstance, I really have no choice. So if you happen to visit my online shop, expect a major change soon in the name and possibly, in the look of the site. *SAAAD FACE*

The lesson here? Simple. Get your business registered before anything else. Or at least before you even begin working on a name or a logo design. And don't put your complete trust on the web-based DTI registration service because it won't always tell you if another business is registered in the name you're intending to use. It is best to first register online and then verify the name with a DTI officer. 

The most important lesson of all? It takes less drinks than you think to turn a bad day around when you are in good company. =)

My online shop is up and running!

Fact of the matter is that I've put off publishing my online shop and content for such a long time because I just could not resist going on a holiday with my friends in Mindoro to see the Apo Reef Natural Park and Pandan Island. There were no cupcakes there, but there was plenty of marine life (and for some reason, Europeans). White tip reef sharks and green sea turtles included! A close encounter with the shark had me thinking that if the circumstances were unfortunate, I would not have been baking cupcakes yesterday. Whew.

Anywho, the point is, I got it done! I think it looks pretty and it is sooo me. Dark with plenty of pink!!! I am still working on its contents, but for now it gives me and potential clients a place to communicate. I am so excited to fill it with photos of my products and actual projects. I am also looking forward to your comments and suggestions! Please do visit the site (click on the link below) and take a look at my current offerings.

Sweet Addictions by Lorenzo

Enjoy!!!

xoxo

***

April 9, 2011
As mentioned in this blogpost, I had to change my business name and in doing so, I have rendered the Multiply site above irrelevant. I have taken down the website and put up a new one under my new business name.

Please do visit the new website!

www.twinsistersbakeshoppe.co.nr

***

Cupcake Mishap!!!

I was making a batch of vanilla cupcakes for my cousin today when, not even half way through the baking process, my oven just decided to conk out.

/no

My First Ever Clients for Valentine's Eve!

I was super excited to deliver the goods to my first ever clients: my aunt and uncle!

Yesterday, they celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary here at the compound. Kuya Ric ordered 60 pieces of assorted cupcakes to be served as one of the desserts during the party. A few days ago, we discussed it casually and settled on a good number of cupcakes to serve during the party. I was set on serving the cupcakes straight from the box until I realized that this was not going to be an ordinary party. Quite a number of guests were invited to the anniversary party (mostly Kuya Ric's from the John Van De Steen male choir), and I only found that out when a caterer started hauling their equipment.

It was a good thing that I went to a cake box supply store somewhere in Sta. Mesa a few days ago where I was able to purchase a cupcake tower. I did not really intend to use the tower for this event, but when I found out what was going to be happening that evening, I was glad I bought it.

A Patissier's Prayer

I wrote this about two years ago, and published it first on Facebook notes. I would like to share this to you once again.

I need to say this prayer, more than ever.


***I feared for my cookies, my cakes and mousses, so I wrote I prayer for them. For all the hardcore bakers and pastry chefs out there. =) ***

Dear God, I'm baking today
Please let everything go my way
My clients are picky, they want only the best
And they will settle for nothing less

But should my delicate buttercream break,
let the mixer at high speed do the trick
And if my meringues suddenly deflate,
I pray they won't protest against my dense and heavy cakes

I pray that my mousses hold up against the weather
If not, a little gelatin and a lot more prayer
I pray my macarons grow their little feet
Otherwise my menu will not be complete

I pray my chocolates will temper to a snap,
or else my pralines will look like crap
so will my tarts, my bombes, and my cute petit fours
without shiny chocolate, everything's a bore

I pray my souffles will rise as high as they could
Or else my guests will get pudding instead
I pray for all my desserts to be good
Because if a blogger is dismayed, then surely I'm dead

I guess that's it, Lord, I've covered all the bases
I just want to put a smile on people's faces
I pray I won't fail at any of my tasks
If I do, then biscotti, a cigarette, and a whiskey flask!

Amen.