Meet The Vintage Table…

We have been really lucky to have some wonderful sponsor supporting the work we do here with our blog.  To say thank you, show our appreciation and highlight to you awesome they are, we are going to have a couple of posts sharing a little bit more about some of the business that have jumped on board to help with the Baking Makes Things Better journey.

First up, we have The Vintage Table.  The Vintage Table was actually our very first sponsor.  They  are an Auckland based business and is a boutique hire company specialising in vintage china and tableware perfect for a high tea, party, wedding or corporate event with a vintage twist.  Their collection includes vintage china trios, tiered cake stands, hollow-stem champagne saucers, glass candy jars, silverware and cutlery, vintage vases, tea lights, candelabra and embroidered linen.  We’ve been lucky enough to borrow items from their gorgeous range from time to time too!

Who is behind the business ‘The Vintage Table’?

Me (Amanda Fergus), plus a few helpers here and there!  I've been really lucky to have friends and family help out as the business has grown.  I have 3 young daughters (who are great at matching china patterns), and my background is in marketing and natural health.

 

Where did the idea for your business come from?

I collected china and glassware for a few years, and my collection kept growing.  When my eldest daughter started school my husband told me I needed to stop buying china or do something with it! That was the start of The Vintage Table...

You have an amazing range of gorgeous collection of vintage china, what would you say is your favourite product/piece?
My favourites change as stock changes, but at the moment it would be Royal Albert Lady Carlyle trios, and a set of Crown Lynn swans.

What are your favourite things to bake?

If I'm honest, I do the cooking and Scott bakes!  His mum wrote and illustrated children's cookbooks, so he grew up surrounded by it.  I do love to bake, but the clean up puts me off.

 

What do you most enjoy about your business?

The amazing people I've met and worked with over the last few years - chefs, event planners, stylists, bakers, photographers, and loads of lovely brides and customers.

 

Where do you go for baking inspiration and ideas?

Blogs, Pinterest, beautifully styled and photographed cookbooks.

Your pieces add the special touch to events, what are your 3 must have decorations?

Vintage china is great for events - it's there to be used and enjoyed, but also adds colour and interest. I also love flowers and bunting.

You have been involved in so many gorgeous events, what has been your favourite?

There have been lots!  A gorgeous wedding in April 2012 at Highwic would be one of my favourites.  We worked with Little Wolf Catering, Raj Tent Club, and Claudia from Style Etc.  It looked amazing and was so much fun.

Do you have a favourite recipe you’d like to share?
Here’s a recipe for Chocolate Pudding.  This is a quick and easy family favourite.

Chocolate Pudding

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons butter
1 cup flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ cup white sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
½ milk
1 teaspoon vanilla essence

Sauce:
¾ cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon cocoa
1 ¼ cups water

Method:
Put the butter in a small bowl.  Microwave on high for 40 seconds.
Sift flour, baking powder, sugar and cocoa into a mixing bowl.  Whisk in the milk, vanilla essence and melted butter.  Mix well.
Spread the mixture into a 20cm square baking dish.
Make the sauce by mixing the brown sugar, cocoa and water in a bowl.  Pour it over the pudding.  Don’t stir it!
Cover the dish loosely with wax paper.  Cook in the microwave on high for 10 minutes.  Stand for 10 minutes then serve.
*This recipe comes from the book ‘Jumbo Junior Cook’ by Mary-Pat Fergus (Amanda’s Mother in Law!)

For more information and to keep up to date with The Vintage Table, check out The Vintage Table on facebook, twitter or their website.  Alternatively, you can contact Amanda on 021 705 822 or via email: amanda@thevintagetable.co.nz

Thanks Amanda for answering our questions and all the support you have given us!