MEDIA RELEASE

My dentist gave me idea for new Sugar Free Baking book and Cakes from the Tooth Fairy, says popular baker Mrs Simkins

Thanks to a conversation in the dentist's chair, the writing career of popular Dorset-based author and baker Mrs Simkins is seeing a rise equivalent to one of her delicious sponge cakes as she publishes her seventh book entitledSugar Free Baking.www.mrssimkins.co.uk

The book follows the success of her previous publicationCakes from the Tooth Fairyand as expected from someone who was inspired by her dentist Murray Hawkins, focuses on recipes that use xylitol as a natural sugar substitute - a product that also has known benefits for the preservation of healthy teeth.

A foreword written by celebrity chef Gary Rhodes says, "Reading this book inspired in me a hunger to cook and nibble amongst the many sweet fancies presented. It is even more of a pleasure to read how xylitol creates a sweet bite we can all enjoy."

Murray Hawkins, dentist at award-winning Gillingham-based Winning Smiles and the inspiration behind the books, explains the benefits of xylitol. "Xylitol is a naturally occurring sweetener derived from wood or maize. It has been shown to confer significant oral health benefits. Whereas sucrose consumption leads to tooth decay, xylitol actively inhibits it. It impedes streptococcus mutans, the acid-producing bacteria chiefly responsible for dental caries."

Another benefit of using xylitol in baking is it contains 40% less energy than sucrose and is absorbed from the gut more slowly, so offering benefit to dieters and diabetes sufferers.

Gary Rhodes goes on to say, "I love the mix of fruity flavours and not forgetting the many British classics, which all help to inspire the mixing, whisking, baking, and of course the best bit, the eating."

Sue Simkins comments, "At the same time as baking is seeing a surge in popularity, there have also been a number of reports about the negative effects sugar has on our bodies and teeth. The approach and the recipes I have provided in"Sugar Free Baking" and"Cakes from the Tooth Fairy"mean everyone can try their hand at baking without worrying about the effects on their waist line or their health."

Sugar Free Bakingis published by Constable Robinson and is available from Amazon at £7.99. Sue Simkins' other titles includeCakes from the Tooth Fairy, Tea with Mrs Simkins, Cooking with Mrs Simkins, Fresh Bread & Bakes from your Bread Machine, Afternoon TeaandHow to Make the Most of Your Food Processor.

For further information and recipes, visit:www.mrssimkins.co.uk

For further information contact Winning Smiles Dental Care, T/: 01747 826222 or E/:dentist@winningsmilesgillingham.comor check out:www.winningsmilesgillingham.com

Further press information and images from: Jane Adkins, T/: 01935 813114 or M/: 07960698089 or E/:jane@aheadforpr.co.uk

Editor's Notes

Sue Simkins works as a recipe developer and writes recipe columns for several magazines including:The Blackmore Vale Magazine, Country Smallholding, The Countryman and Garden News. Her recipes cover the whole range of wholesome home cooking with plenty of baking. They are the kind of recipes that novice and experienced cooks will all enjoy: simple and delicious with helpful tips and explanations. She lives in Dorset with her family.

May 2015 (WS 17)