Wakefield’s Great British Bake Off star Karen Wright turns her hand to a Victoria sponge for VE Day

Over the decades this day has been celebrated in many ways by many people. This year though all the plans have been cancelled due to Covid 19. I will still be marking the day though as it holds a special significance for me. My Dad was called up into the army just two weeks after his 18th birthday in 1939 - the year that World War 2 started. He was out in Italy and was awarded the Italian star medal. He didn’t return home until the War ended in 1945.

I will be baking the quintessentially British Victoria sponge cake and perhaps a batch of scones. I know that baking is something that people are keen to do now during lockdown, but flour is hard to come by. Why not treat yourself to something from the bakery section in the shops instead and set up your own afternoon tea? I am still busy with the volunteer group and we are putting together an afternoon tea for our meal service to be delivered on VE day with a few special treats included.

I have tried a couple of new things this week. I discovered that my local farm shop at Blacker Hall had set up a drive through. This sounded perfect and it was. I bought a veg box and a fruit box, paid with contactless, the shopping was put into the boot and off I went, I never stepped out of the car, perfect!

The other thing was a delivered meal. I hardly ever have a takeaway preferring to cook my fakeaway versions, however this week something different took my eye. The Iris in Wakefield has a delivery service. It needs reheating when you are ready for your meal. I can really recommend it, the food was scrumptious, every mouthful a delight. My very favourite was my starter, smoked haddock scotch egg, wow!

This week I have a little video to film for the Caravan and Motorhome Club. I am also filming cooking videos for my YouTube channel (search Karen Wright bakes). That’s all for this week readers: stay safe, keep smiling and see you next week!