So. A few months back, I reached out to Ivy to ask if they would be interested in doing a collaboration with me, with the Harringrove Cafe. I, like many of you I am sure, am obsessed with Great British Bake Off (because what's not to love) and one day I got to thinking how funny it would be if Billy & Steve held a baking competition at the cafe.
The long & short of it is, Ivy was kind enough to let me borrow their world and bring it to life in the Sims in order to tell that story. In July, alongside the story the Cafe was to host a menu featuring the contestants dishes, with the fandom casting their "votes" for the winning dishes through their orders.
With the cafe closed, obviously this event will not be occurring and the story is currently unfinished; but I am so grateful for all the work that was put into the cafe, and to @half-oz-eddie for allowing me to play in their sandbox, and I guess I am just happy that this exists and want to share it. I had such a great time and I'm proud of what we accomplished. I hope others enjoy it too.
I've tried to think of creative ways to share this but my brain is overworked and it's not that serious lol, so I'm just going to share the finished chapters as they would originally have appeared.
So onto the story....
The Great Baking Contest: A Harringrove Sim Story
Copperdale. Early in the evening on their way to dinner, Steve and his partner Billy pass the old library - the one that had fallen into the mysterious sinkhole that opened up in the middle of downtown. It has been months since the incident, but the site is still a wreck.
Billy: It's a shame the town doesn't make enough money off these tourists to fix it. This eyesore is driving away our business.
But that gives Steve an idea. A brilliant idea.
Jonathan: Wait. So you want to host a baking competition?
Steve: Yes! To save the library.
Argyle: Man, that place nearly killed us! I say we should leave it for the sinkhole gods. Think about it. What are the chances a sinkhole would open up in the middle of California? Spooky!
Eddie: Weird things do seem to happen to us a lot.
Nancy: But the library is really important to the community. It helps people get jobs, and gave kids from under privileged communities resources they don't get anywhere else.
Steve: Exactly!
Eddie: But a bake off? How would it even work?
Steve: We'll televise it on Good Morning With Nancy, and sell tickets to the live event. And for those who can't afford the ticket, we'll offer a specialized menu at the cafe - proceeds from the sale will go toward the library fund. It's a great idea. Right?
Jonathan: I just want to know how you convinced Billy to go along with this.
Earlier that evening....
Billy: What's in it for me?
Steve: I'll let you top for a week.
Billy: You sure you can survive a whole week Pretty Boy?
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and in this coping, billy has pics on his wall of him with his mom, max, and steve,,
bonus pic of max glaring at Steve for telling a stupid joke. Everyone may be happy and alive, but aside from that, I'm keeping it somewhat realistic still
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The small coastal town of Copperdale. Early Morning.
Morning News Anchor Nancy Wheeler stands outside the Harringrove Cafe - located in the old refurbished bed & breakfast on Shrike Hill.
Assistant: We're rolling!
Nancy: Hello, I'm Nancy Wheeler and this is 'Good Morning with Nancy'. We've got all of your local news, current events, and hot topics!
Nancy: Today's special topic is near and dear to my heart. Copperdale is known for its scenic beach, quaint railroad town, and most recently for the tragic accident at the local library involving a sink hole...
Nancy: But, it also the home of the Harringrove Cafe: which has boomed since its initial launch and brought many tourists to our shores, eager to try their delicious treats. Today, we'll be meeting the owners and getting a rare peek inside the operations at the cafe - along with some exciting news! In fact, here comes one of them now.
Steve joins Nancy at the door, in swim trunks and nothing else.
Nancy: Cut!
Steve: Hi Nancy. Thanks for coming! Are we -
Nancy: Steve! Did you forget the interview was today?
Steve: What? Of course not. Let's do this! I've been looking forward to it all week. Billy too.
Nancy: Steve, we can't do the interview! You're half naked.
Steve: Oh yeah, I woke up late and had to squeeze in my laps this morning. Didn't have time to change. Billy said it would be fine. Add a little sex appeal.
The door opens behind them.
Nancy: *groaning* This is a morning show Steve, a family friendly hour. We don't need sex appeal.
Billy leans in the door.
Billy: Speak for yourself Wheeler. All those grandmas who watch your show need something to wake them up.
Nancy: *sarcastic* Ha ha! You're not funny Billy.
Billy: You're right. I'm hilarious.
Jonathan: ... So are we shooting today or not?
Steve: Definitely shooting! Just give me a chance to go change.
Steve runs inside to get dressed and Nancy sighs.
Nancy: I should have known something like this would happen. He's always in that silly pool. Why does a bakery need a pool anyway?
Billy: I'd explain fun to you Wheeler, but I'm too busy running a business.
Nancy: This isn't a laughing matter Billy! This event is really important to Steve, but more importantly the town. The library helped so many people and bringing it back will do a lot of good. Don't you care what happens to this town?
Billy glowers. He doesn't appreciate being told off. But thankfully, before he can answer Steve's voice interrupts from inside as he rushes back.
Steve: I'm here! I'm ready! It's okay now.
Billy: Is that my shirt!
It most definitely is Billy's shirt. Nancy peers inside the door to see that Steve has grabbed Billy's old lifeguard top, from when he worked at the community pool. She sighs.
Nancy: Come on Jonathan. Let's get some more shots with me while these two figure themselves out.
Jonathan: Yeah let's get some B-roll. I can piece it together with Steve & Billy later.
The Segment:
Harringrove Cafe. This thriving business sits on a picturesque hill overlooking the beach. Once an abandoned Bed & Breakfast, co-owners Steve Harrington and partner Billy Hargrove have turned this local eyesore into a meca for the taste buds.
There's no end to the creativity of their rotating menu, which offers handcrafted treats and a personal delivery service to local residents along with cheerful hospitality!
But this summer, Billy and Steve are leaving the kitchen to undertake their biggest risk yet: A local backing competition! If you've been up on the hill lately you've probably seen the construction of the big tent.
This summer, Harringrove Cafe invites YOU and the whole family to join them in 'The Harringrove Bakeoff' where three teams will go head to head, in the battle of the baked goods! Proceeds from the ticket sales will go toward the Copperdale Library restoration project.
This competition is a big undertaking for the cafe, but it's certainly not the first of its kind. Billy & Steve are known for their creative collaborations with friends, and local artists in the community - many whose artworks can be found on sale in the cafe shop.
I'm Nancy Wheeler, and this has been Good Morning with Nancy. Join us next time: In the coming weeks I'll be revealing more about the competition, the competitors, and how you can help pick Copperdale's very first Best Amateur Baker!
This broadcast is in thanks to and collaboration with @harringrove-cafe
Community members and visitors may visit the cafe, or reach out to Steve & Billy directly with questions about the competition and upcoming menu changes. They ask that you please hold all questions regarding the strange noises heard coming from the cafe last night for their next Ask Harringrove session.
The studio is full as Nancy hosts her morning show for channel 4. Her guests are Steve & Billy. As the commercial break dies down, Jonathan gives the signal they are going live.
Nancy: Hello! Welcome back! I'm Nancy Wheeler and you're watching 'Good Morning With Nancy'. Joining me on the couch today are Billy Hargrove & Steve Harrington, the co-owners of Copperdale's very own Harringrove Cafe, and this summer the judges of Copperdale's very first Armature Bake Off!
She pauses to allow her guests to wave to the audience. They give an enthusiastic cheer.
Nancy: Steve, Billy, thank you for coming on.
Steve: We're glad to be here!
Nancy: since the announcement we've been flooded with calls and messages from folks who want to know more about the competition: where can they watch, how can they apply. But my sources tell me that you've already narrowed down the teams?
Steve: Yep that's right. We personally invited six of Copperdale's most talented amateur bakers to compete - who also happen to be really good friends of the cafe!
Nancy: Do you think that's fair though? It sounds like there's a lot of talented folks in the area who would love to be considered.
Billy shrugs.
Billy: Our business our rules. We don't work with just anybody.
Steve: For good reason! We've collaborated on menus in the past with many talented individuals and we've always been careful to maintain a high standard. So for this endeavor it just made sense to reach out to those folks.
Nancy: Well, viewers are excited to hear more about the teams. So lets get into it!
Cut away to montage
Team 1. El & Max
Most people can't tell that Billy & Max are siblings just by looking at them but five minutes in each other's company usually does the trick. Max and her best friend Eleven are local college students and when they aren't focused on school, or helping out at the cafe, they can be found hanging out in the game room at Argyle's Pizza Palace. Max loves to whip up tasty treats in her dorm room, and her additions to the menu have always been a hit. When she heard that the winner of the competition would get their own personalized menu....
Cut back to Studio
Billy: Wait a minute! What did you tell her?!
Steve: Lets talk about team #2! You guys are gonna love the next team.
The camera cuts away again
Team 2. Argyle & Eddie
Steve and Billy's friend Argyle is known for the best pizza in Copperdale. Argyle got his start as a delivery boy and inherited the business after his uncle retired. The Pizza Palace has flourished under his leadership and has become Copperdale's go to spot for game night and greasy eats to satisfy anybody's munchies! The other half of this dream team duo is Eddie Munson, lead guitarist of 2nd Grave. The band started right here in Copperdale! They can often be heard practicing in the backroom of the record shop where Eddie works. But now that the band is taking off, Eddie probably won't be seen behind the counter too much longer. A lesser known fact about him is his secret passion for baking soft fudgy brownies that will take you out of this world!
Cut back to studio.
Nancy: Yes. Viewers will be happy to know that one of those members includes local rock legend, Eddie Munson of 2nd Grave. Is it true?
Billy: Unfortunately.
Nancy: After their single 'squeeze' reached the billboard top ten this summer, 2nd Grave has seen a great deal of sudden success. How did you convince Mr. Munson to take time out for this endeavor?
Steve: It was all Billy.
Billy: Yeah he pimps me out.
Nancy laughs nervously and tries to steer the conversation back to something more suitable for her younger viewers.
Nancy: I'm sure you're kidding.
Steve: No, really! Truthfully Billy is very good with people. He can be very persuasive...
A few weeks earlier....
Eddie and his band have regular gigs on Saturday night at Copperdale's only nightclub. It's a good opportunity to ambush him, Steve thinks.
But things don't go exactly as planned. Heather gets a little too drunk, and Steve leaves to make sure Robin and her girlfriend get home safely.
But Billy's got this covered. All he has to do is remind Eddie of how important this project is to Steve. Munson is a total marshmallow under all that leather.
Back in the studio...
Nancy: Aww, it sounds like you guys have some really great friends. It's nice knowing that you can always count on them to be there.
Steve smiles and Billy shrugs, looking a little embarrassed with the sentimental turn of the conversation. Nancy turns towards the camera.
Nancy: Coming up, we'll reveal the final team and meet the amateur bakers in person. After this commercial break!
