After a formal catering training, Philippa Vanstone spent 10 years working in London restaurants and hotels. She then began working as a development chef, researching bakery products for the UK retail market. Philippa has also lectured on Patisserie and Confectionery, and now works as a freelance cookery writer and food stylist, specialising in all things sweet. Susannah Blake, who wrote the introduction, is a freelance food writer and editor. She has produced over 30 cookbooks and has authored another seven. She writes and produces features for national magazines in the UK.