A birthday present for Professor Martyn Poliakoff. The cakes - baked and decorated by undergraduates at the University of Nottingham - were presented early because The Prof was due to be in Ethiopia his actual birthdate on December 16. Big thanks to Radmila (icing ninja), Emily (with the steady hand), Alice, Rob (assistant cameraman), Aimie (chief organiser), Astrid, and Rebecca (cake whisperer). Photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/periodicvideos/sets/72157628423126907/ More chemistry at http://www.periodicvideos.com/ Follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/periodicvideos And on Twitter at http://twitter.com/periodicvideos Periodic Videos films are by video journalist Brady Haran