Scones, pudding and cakes. This fall, host Anne-Marie Withenshaw launched a range of sweet products – but “not too much!” » – paying homage to his British origins, and above all, to the memory of his paternal grandmother, Sylvia Bloom. As Christmas approaches, she talks to us about the place desserts have in her family holiday traditions.
Published yesterday at 11:00 a.m.
“In terms of food, it’s completely crazy,” says Anne-Marie Withenshaw, before getting up to put her hand on her cell phone, where she scrolls through the photos until December 25, the date on which is always celebrated Christmas with her father’s family, as most British people do, she says. On the screen appears a photo taken at his aunt’s house of a large table entirely covered with desserts. “And there are not 26 of us!” », specifies the host of It’s just TV.
Among the range of delicacies we find shortbread or gingerbread cookies, because “if there are no cookies on the table, it’s not Christmas, it’s sad, very sad” , laughs Anne-Marie Withenshaw, who received The Press at her home.
Pudding is also a must. “For the English, there’s a pudding for everything. There is a Christmas pudding, a Sunday pudding, a sticky toffee pudding… », Lists the one who was born to a father of British origin and a Quebec mother.
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, LA PRESSE
Overview of Withenshaw products by Anne-Marie
When she decided to launch her own line of frozen products, it stood to reason that there would be a version of this dessert. But the English delicacy that she wanted first and foremost to highlight with her brand Withenshaw by Anne-Marie is the scone.
Family recipe
When she reached out to the Sobeys team, it was this teatime treat that the Brits get that she first told them about. Luckily, the company behind the IGA brand was looking to develop this product. “It was a perfect match,” summarizes Anne-Marie Withenshaw, who feels that Quebecers are increasingly adopting tea time.
“There is something comforting about this moment. And at the same time, entertaining for tea time is such a simple way to experience hospitality. There’s no dinner to make,” she points out, hypothesizing that the popularity of the series Bridgerton perhaps also contributes to this craze.
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, LA PRESSE
The scones come in three flavors: confetti, Earl Gray and white chocolate, as well as cheddar and green onions.
The scones in its collection come in three flavors, including a savory version.
“I’m super proud of the result because they are handmade, in Montreal, according to my grandmother’s recipe,” she confides, showing her portrait, hanging in her kitchen. “It was a photoshoot that we did for Chatelaine 15 years ago. This was the first time her recipes were shared in the media. Following this publication, there were some requests. I made her pavlova on Marina’s show [Orsini]. I went to Ricardo, to Louis-François Marcotte,” says the woman who has hosted several shows devoted to the culinary world in recent years.
For all occasions
If desserts have a pride of place on the Withenshaws’ table at Christmas, Sylvia Bloom didn’t wait for this special occasion to cook them. Every weekend, when she entertained her family, she made “a minimum of four desserts” to satisfy the tastes – and respect the allergies – of her guests.
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, LA PRESSE
Cinnamon Brioche Crown Cake
My grandmother always had cakes that you eat in the middle of the afternoon for no reason, just because it’s festive!
Anne-Marie Withenshaw
These are the memories she had in mind when developing her frozen scones, cakes and pudding ready to enjoy after just a few minutes of cooking. “I wanted people to be able to say to themselves: ‘I’m spoiling myself, even though it’s Thursday.’ But at the same time, I wanted the products to be beautiful and festive and not be embarrassing to offer them to guests,” she explains.
In memory of his father
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, LA PRESSE
Double chocolate crown cake
This entrepreneurial project has been simmering in Anne-Marie Withenshaw’s head for several years. However, he grew up when his father fell ill. “When he passed away, I thought it was a beautiful way to honor his name and my grandmother’s name. »
“Often, when I experience something disturbing or sad, my reflex is to work, to do things, to be in action,” she continues.
The loss of her father also made her wonder about caregiving. From his own experience was born When the roles are reverseda documentary series which will be presented next winter on ICI Tou.tv Extra.
Visit the Withenshaw website by Anne-Marie
