LE CREUSET URGES BRITS TO GET BACK TO BAKING

WITH BAKE CHAT SESSIONS

Britons are whipping themselves into a frenzy, working a staggering 42.5 hours a week* and not taking a break out of their hectic schedules to devote time to friends and family. According to new research commissioned by Le Creuset silicone bakeware* , over a fifth of men and women questioned find baking a great way to unwind and de-stress from the busy daily grind. With this in mind, Le Creuset is encouraging Brits everywhere to hold a Bake Chat session. Move over book club, Bake Chat is here. Get the girls over, crack open a bottle of wine and start baking as you catch up on the week's gossip.

Le Creuset offers a vibrant orange range of 100% silicone bakeware, which is non-stick, fun to use and easily folded away. What's more, this versatile range can be used all around the kitchen, from the oven, microwave and freezer. Available in a variety of shapes from fun mini muffin and heart shaped moulds to classic round and square trays, you can try something new each time you bake. This fantastic collection is not only ideal for baking with the girls but great for baking with the kids too.

With such attention on food consumption and healthy eating these days, two thirds of respondents expressed a concern about the number of additives, preservatives and E numbers found in shop-bought cakes and biscuits. This trend is not expected to change, with the value of the home baking market expected to rise by 28% over the next five years* . So why not try baking tasty wholesome treats at your very own Bake Chat event. Take time out from the office, TV or computer, and enjoy good old-fashioned, quality time with groups of girlfriends or your children. Show off your skills and try your hand at making some delicious cakes, muffins or scones that you'll be proud of. And since you are in charge, you can make them as healthy or as naughty as you like.

So its time to fire up your oven, flour your surfaces and get your Le Creuset at your side, ready for your own Bake Chat session:

BAKE CHAT WITH THE GIRLS:

Introduce some 'Girl Time' into your life and arrange a Bake Chat session once a month at different friends' houses. Get your friends together for a girlie gossip, whilst stirring up a delicious treat and sipping a glass of wine or two. A great introductory recipe for the girls is the individual melting heart puddings, easy to make, with a sweet smelling aroma as it bakes and when the chatting is over, it will taste like heaven. Yet - when your Bake Chat evening is over - don't forget to plan the next!

BAKE CHAT WITH THE CHILDREN:

Take some time out of the rat race and away from the television, and get baking with the children. Not only is it a great way to bond with the kids, but it is also a good way to introduce them to cooking, as 65% of children still learn to cook from their parents*. Choose a yummy yet simple recipe like heart fairy cakes, which are quick to make, fun to decorate, and help to keep young children's attention. Be prepared for a little mess and involve your children in the tidying up process, but most importantly, enjoy it.

Some more interesting survey findings:

• 20% of those surveyed cited that baking makes them happy
• Nearly 1 in 10 people surveyed have pretended a shop bought cake was their own
• We are a nation of chocoholics, when asked what their perfect cake was 40% said chocolate, 15% Victoria sponge, 14% fruit cake and 12% carrot cake
• Over a 1/4 of people turn to the internet for baking advice whereas only 4% go to their granny, 3% to their friends and 1% to their neighbour
• Showing themselves up to be real mummies boys, over 1/5 of men baked to impress their mum, whereas only 12% of women did the same. Also, a 1/3 of them will turn to their mums for baking advice

*2 Survey commissioned by One Poll, asking 1,289 adults, April 2007