Full name – Danielle Cubis; job – owner and creator of Spongedrop Cakery; lives – Tauranga
Christmas style
Our Christmases are very laid-back and family focussed. Because I work right up to and immediately after Christmas it’s a very casual affair, often split between a few locations and more often than not involving time by the sea or at the beach. Because I bake sweets for a living, I usually opt for making the salads, but this year I’m making the most of my sweet tooth know-how and will be making a trifle using plums from our backyard (they are the most amazing plums I have ever tasted) and a good splash of Patron XO (see recipe over the page).
What I’ll be doing this Christmas Day
It’s important to me that I spend Christmas Day with people that I love, both family and friends. I’m looking forward to having a laugh with my nana, she’s 95 and an absolute gem. We can chat about anything and she loves a G&T and a game of cards. My partner and I have family spread all around the world (in America, England and Hong Kong) but my nana, mother and sister all live here in Tauranga so we’ll spend most of the day with them. I love sharing Christmas brunch with my partner Elric, it’s a little ‘us time’ before we head out into the world. Christmas Day almost always involves time spent by the ocean, either at the beach at the Mount or along the harbour by our house. This year we’re taking along a dessert picnic
My favourite thing about Christmas
It’s the one day when most of the world stops working, the shops are closed and everyone focuses on what’s most important in life – loved ones.
My tips for a stress-free Christmas
Keep things simple. If the idea of feeding a crowd sends you into a panic, ask your guests to bring a dish each. Most people love to bring something along as it allows them to share their own foodie interpretation of Christmas. Also, if you are planning a menu, write it all down then cross one item off. There is always too much food at Christmas time.
A good present for fellow foodies
I live to give food-lovers unusual utensils or equipment that either make life easier or encourage kitchen experimentation. A julienne peeler is a great inexpensive gift (these make salads so much faster). I also like to create themed gifts such as giving a tortilla press with masa flour and spices so they can make authentic Mexican.
Three songs that are on my Christmas playlist
• She & Him ‘Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree’ (their entire Christmas album is great)
• Nat King Cole ‘The Christmas Song’
• Bing Crosby ‘White Christmas’
