Dearest BathMat
What a dilemma for you! There's a few points here...
Firstly, you must know there's no polite way of *asking* for a gift, however copious amounts of flattery may assist you in your cause.
Secondly, what you perceive as avoidance may merely be a form of performance anxiety, so perhaps ease the pressure on your wonderful sounding friend???
And finally, your friend sounds incredibly self-assured to consider themselves a "gun cheesecake maker"... perhaps consider there may have been some misunderstanding along the way and your friend is merely an enthusiastic amateur who has had others embarrassingly talk up their abilities.
Perhaps initiating a visit with said friend, but making no mention of cheesecakes, while still discreetly leaving ample cheesecake-making time before the visit could prove fruitful for you? I suggest a Saturday or Sunday lunch. Or a Saturday dinner if you're planning on sleeping over. Better check they've purchased a mattress to go on the spare bed before you lock it in though.
Hope that helped!
Oh, and Uncle Cath (who is a little uncouth and not as genteel as Aunty Cath is) suggested you get a big black do up ya!
