Carrigaline based Patricia O’Flaherty, well known through her baking business ‘A Touch Of Magic’, has just published a book which is now for sale. With the title, ‘Baking With a Touch of Magic’, the book has 100 baking recipes.
The book was released on St. Patrick’s Day, and sold out several times over the first few days, but is now available on Amazon, The Book Depository, Waterstones and Patricia now finds her book ranked 8th in the ‘cooking for/with children’ section, just behind well-known authors Joe Wicks and ahead of Annabel Karmel!
Patricia describes her journey to writing: “I had promised myself to write a book but never had the time. The pandemic gave me that opportunity When lockdown hit on the 13th of March, 2020 I was determined to keep myself busy and focus on the positives that this break from work gave me. Space to breathe, baking helps me relax. I decided if it helped me relax it just might help others relax and my Baking Live classes started.
As I baked my way through the pandemic I realised I had an audience supporting me all the way. This book is dedicated to my supporters; without their support I would never have written the book.
I had all the recipes from every live demo, I had the photos taken every week in my kitchen. I just needed to figure out the how! I figured whileI had my break I’d get cracking on a book. I decided to self -publish as I couldn’t afford to do it any other way without sponsorship and financial support.
Deciding on a graphic designer was easy for me as I had followed Doodle Creative for years, they have my wacky sense of humour and whimsical style. All credit to the guys Jeremy Cunningham and Chris Davies, the creative genius behind my book cover and layout, they nailed my brief. It’s a nod to my bewitched style and my no nonsense approach to baking. These recipes are fun, family friendly and easy to do. Some granny recipes are thrown in for good measure.
It was important to me to get local businesses to help create my vision. Orla Kelly Publishing based in Rochestown Douglas used her magical publishing powers to get the book to market and reach my target audience. She’s a wizard.
Currently the book is available online through The Book Depository, Amazon & Waterstones.