- ONE -
I started making cakes for friends and family around 2012. In fact, my baking addiction started around 2008 when I realised I could make a mean cheesecake and would do them for all my friend's birthdays.
November 2011 - September 2013 - August 2014 - November 2015
I clearly remember my second fondant covered cake in February 2012, my Grandma’s birthday. A small family gathering at her house and we cut up the cake, shared it out and my cousin turns to me and says “that tastes like proper birthday cake!”... looking back, what a compliment!! Then my cake making craze begun.
After buying our first home, I had my daughter in 2015 and the public demand for orders was a little unreal! In March 2016 I took the plunge to register as a full on cake business, took out business insurance and started building up my equipment collection (and my goodness do I have a collection now!).
- TWO-
I run my cake business fully from my own home... I am still waiting to create my "cake room" (we can all dream!) but I will eventually get there. I have a dedicated worktop and cupboard space in my dining room where most of the magic happens. I am fully inspected by the council and hold a 5* rating, along with my food hygiene certification, allergy awareness certificate and catering knowledge.
I live with my partner of over 11 years and our 6 year old daughter. They see every order created and eat my offcuts! Of course - free birthday cakes for life too! My biggest spare cake fan is my Dad though! My daughter is becoming my competition, I think she will soon be my apprentice when the time comes! I love working in my home as I can squeeze the orders in between family time and teaching.
- THREE -
I hold a degree in BSc Product Design and I am a fully qualified teacher in a local secondary school. I trained to teach in Design Technology straight after my degree. I have taught product design, food technology, catering, textiles and I currently teach art & design graphics. This is why I started some children’s classes in 2017. Two strengths of mine: teaching and making cakes - the classes just seemed the perfect thing! I really miss them at the moment, in the future I look to hold more classes for children and adults too.
- FOUR -
I have a little claim to fame or two. I once designed and created the birthday cake for Kieron Dyer. Now, to say I was nervous is an understatement. The reason? I had to make a scale model of him! What do you think?
I've also had Darren Ambrose in my house - this was in no way as exciting for me as it was for my Partner, who is a life long fan (using the term loosely at the moment!) of Ipswich Town FC. I created his wife's birthday cake, which was as bespoke as it comes with edible messages and drawings, created by their four wonderful children.
- FIVE -
I am a huge lover of leopard print, skulls and heavy metal music. Gasp now!? If I’m not wearing a “teacher friendly“ outfit, I’ll be in leopard print or band merch. I just love live music and music is what gets me through each day. Dare you ask what I listen to while making your beautiful cakes?
I don't think I would have taken the plunge to start my business if it wasn't for my family and friends that kept ordering birthday cakes and even buying some of my equipment for me over the years.
And a HUGE thank you to all my clients for sticking with me. I have so many new clients coming to me all the time, and its rather exciting to see what I end up creating for them.
I would love to showcase all of my cakes since 2016 - I roughly counted over 300 of them! (as of Feb 2021) That's not including the approximately 170 smash cakes over 4 years too!
Since being a wedding cake only business, my portfolio of cakes is ever growing. It is such a change from the novelty work I used to do, but the amount of detail and knowledge is just the same.
Do feel free to have a little peak over on my Facebook, I think 95% of all orders are on there, including my almost cringeworthy pre-business makes too! Most of my posts are now through my Instagram though - I think I am getting the hang of this social media thing!
Until next time.... take care!
(Updated April 2022)