Flipping Delicious: Shrove Tuesday aka Pancake Day

4 Mar

Written By Aimee W

Pancake Day has been celebrated for centuries, originally marking the last feast before the fasting season of Lent. The idea was to use up rich ingredients like eggs, milk, and flour before Ash Wednesday, leading to the ultimate pre-Lenten treat—pancakes!

Over time, it’s become a fun celebration filled with flipping contests, creative toppings, and the joy of sharing a meal together. From classic lemon and sugar (my favourite) to extravagant stacks dripping with chocolate, there’s a pancake for almost every taste. I have fond memories of waiting patiently next to my mum whilst she cooked them and now years later its me with the frying pan. Each year I stand in front on the cooker grasping the pan thinking “How has another year passed already?”.

An illustration by Aimee Tozer of two rolled pancakes on top of a blue plate. Two wedges of lemon lay next to the pancakes and it is all covered in a thin coating of sugar. — Aimee Tozer 2025

Food has always been a rich source of artistic inspiration, and pancakes are no exception. Endless topping variations make them a dream to illustrate. Whether it’s a rustic stack with maple syrup cascading down the sides or a delicate crepe adorned with fresh berries, pancakes offer a wonderful play of texture, color, and movement.

As a food illustrator, I love capturing the warmth and nostalgia that pancakes evoke. The contrast of soft batter against the glossy shine of syrup, the vibrant pops of fruit, and the light, airy texture of whipped cream—it’s a feast for the eyes as much as the taste buds.