READY, SET, BAKE

Find out more about local cake makers

Your cake is a great way of tying together your chosen theme or colour scheme and is your chance to showcase your creative side. To help give you heaps of inspiration, we’ve interviewed some of the best local suppliers.

MEET RACHEL HANNA FROM MARIE ANTOINETTE CAKE DESIGN

www.artandstorystudio.com

07789 887 177 | www.macakecompany.co.uk

Q – Tell us about your background – how did you become a cake maker? I have an academic background with a degree in Business Studies and a Graduate Management Training Programme, which was actually within the food industry. Eventually, I realised it wasn’t for me, and I needed to find something that provided me with a much-needed creative outlet. That was back in 2011, and shortly after, I launched Marie Antoinette Cake Design, and in the last couple of years, The Sugarcraft School so I can help other people in the industry to learn and grow.

I’ve always baked and constantly look for creative outlets, whether that’s cake-related or something like interior design. I love trying out new things and giving things a go! I also have a huge passion for flowers and was able to bring this into my business by specialising in incredible sugar flowers, which you can see all over my website and Instagram feed. People are always stunned that they’re handmade from sugar and are blown away by how realistic and beautiful they look.

Q – What should couples expect when booking your services? I offer a professional and creative service, which means I like to take care of everything! Once couples choose to work with me, it’s a collaborative process with me leading the way and guiding them through the whole thing. Before booking, couples get the opportunity to have a consultation and tasting, which is where we really start our journey together. I love meeting a new couple, getting to know them, finding out about their plans and working out how I can help them. My aim at this stage is for couples to leave the consultation feeling excited about their bake, confident about me as a designer and fully educated about how they can get the most out of their money, their experience and their cake on the actual wedding day.

Q – What’s your favourite wedding cake that you’ve made and why? My favourite is always changing, but it’s usually the most recent one I’ve made! I’m always looking to push the boundaries and try new things, develop techniques and experiment with different materials, shapes, and textures. Every single bake I create is a bespoke design and I love giving the cake my focus and attention, it’s an absolute privilege and something I’ll never tire of or take for granted.

Q – How long before the wedding should couples book? From 2022 onwards, I’m only working with a limited number of couples as I also run The Sugarcraft School. My availability is intentionally limited to allow me to fully focus on each cake, so it’s never too early to reach out, I work with most couples for at least 18 months, but some couples do book earlier as well as later than that.

Q – What’s your favourite part of the job? My favourite part of the job is exceeding my client’s expectations! It can often be difficult for couples to convey what they want, so it’s an absolute pleasure when people get in touch after seeing my work somewhere and tell me it’s exactly what they’ve been searching for. Guiding them through the process, and seeing how excited they get about the cake is so, so lovely. As all of my designs are unique, couples don’t get to know what it will look like until the actual wedding day, it’s the trust they place in me which I value hugely and work extra hard to make sure that I exceed their expectations and create the perfect bake for them, even if they didn’t quite know what that was to begin with!

Q – Do you have any top tips for couples looking for a cake maker? There are so many different options out there, and platforms like Instagram and Pinterest are perfect for narrowing down a company who can really manifest the look and feel that you want on your day. I have quite a defined contemporary, fine art style, so won’t take on orders that are a completely different look and feel to this. I’m just not the right person for the job but will always recommend someone else who I think would suit perfectly! This means I can do the best possible job for couples who do connect with my aesthetic.

I’d also suggest being open about your ideal budget. There are endless possibilities with cake design and as a result, prices can vary significantly from one bake to the next, so by providing a guide of your preferred budget, a supplier can advise you on the options available to you and not get you falling in love with products that are way out of your budget.

Finally, always make sure you get to taste some of their creations. As much as I love the design element of my job, first and foremost, it has to taste great. A lot of my clients are foodies and cake obsessed just like me, which I absolutely love, so it’s essential I make the perfect tasting product for them and their guests too! I have a free guide on how to find the perfect designer for you available to download on my website, so that’s definitely worth a read.

www.lydiaharperphotography.com

07803 219 929 | www.rosehillcakestudio.co.uk

Q – Tell us about your background – how did you become a cake maker? As a child, mealtimes were always spent around the dining room table with everyone chatting and sharing their day. When I had children of my own, that’s when I really got into baking. Birthdays were definitely a big deal in our house. I would spend hours making the design that my girls had chosen. This was in part an expression of love and also because I don’t like the taste of many shop-bought cakes.

Around 2015 I attended a figure modelling class with a local cake maker, and that was it, I was hooked. All I wanted to do was to have a better finish on my bakes, so I enrolled in classes – working with fondant, royal icing and sugar flowers.

In 2017 my daughter said she was getting married and asked me to make the wedding cake. By the time her wedding rolled around in September 2018, I produced my very first wedding creation – four tiers of fondant covered cake, festooned with sugar flowers. It wasn’t perfect, but it certainly was the best that I could produce.

Q – What should couples expect when booking your services? When booking me, the first thing I need to know is when your wedding is, where it is, how many people are coming and if there are any allergies to consider. I offer vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free options as I think it’s important that everyone can join in the celebration. I always offer a consultation that can be face-to-face or over Zoom. This is a chance for you to tell me how you met, who proposed, what things are important to you and where we discuss design options. When couples can come to my studio, I have dummies on show with different styles and techniques on display. There is a charge for these meetings, and it includes five flavours and beverages. Following the consultation, I will provide a quote with design options. Q – What’s your favourite wedding cake that you’ve made and why? My favourite so far is the one that I made for my daughter. Being asked to make her cake was really special and, unwittingly, started me on a new career path.

Q – How long before the wedding should couples book? Once you have your venue and date, I recommend booking your wedding cake. Although your wedding may be one year or more away, once you have found a supplier whose style you like and flavours you love, it’s important to get your date in their diary. The final details can be worked out six months before your date.

Q – What’s your favourite part of the job? I have two favourite aspects of what I do. The first is meeting new people and hearing their stories. The other is when the cake is made, and the client sees it for the first time.

Q – Do you have any top tips for couples looking for a cake maker? Make sure you try their cake. For me, there is nothing more disappointing than looking at an enticing piece that is screaming ‘eat me’ and find that it hasn’t much flavour or is dry.

Meet or chat with your supplier. Do they understand your likes/dislikes and the things that are important to you, and are their values the same as yours?

Does the cost reflect the design you want and the time and skill required to produce it?

MEET KELLY KIRKBY FROM SUGAR WISHES CAKES

07773 551 975 | www.sugarwishescakes.co.uk

Q – Tell us about your background – how did you become a cake maker? I started baking when my daughter was born and didn’t intend for it to become anything more than making birthday bakes. However, the orders started coming in, and after three years, I created my first wedding cake. That was back in 2013, and now we design and create lots every year.

Q – What should couples expect when booking your services? Couples will receive a light-hearted and friendly approach to their wedding cake. I like to chat over their wedding to gain an understanding of the feel they’re going for, so I can make recommendations for their design.

Q – What’s your favourite wedding cake that you’ve made and why? That’s a difficult question! Every cake we make has a special feeling for us as we have got to know our couples over their wedding planning journey. One that does stick in my mind was a navy blue and white threetier fondant bake that featured watercolour and paint splatters. The bride loved giraffes and had a subtle safari theme, so we included two rose gold giraffes on the top of the cake.

Q – How long before the wedding should couples book? I usually recommend that clients start planning their cake around 18 months before they get married, especially if they are tying the knot in peak wedding season. We have more availability in the winter months, but our prime dates get booked up quickly.

Q – What’s your favourite part of the job? Being given a loose brief from a couple and being trusted to create their dream wedding cake.

Q – Do you have any top tips for couples looking for a cake maker? When booking your designer, look over their previous work to ensure you’re choosing someone who can create the style you’re looking for and always sample the cake before booking.

www.zoie-photography.com www.anthonyivesphoto.com

MEET ANDREA WINDLE FROM THOROUGHLY-GOOD CAKES LTD

01704 895 400 | www.thoroughly-goodcakes.co.uk

Q – Tell us about your background – how did you become a cake maker? Like most cake makers, my business started from a hobby! I have always loved anything artistic, and with over 20 years of catering experience, anything to do with food. I started by making birthday bakes for my two daughters, which were seen by lots of mums, either at parties or on social media. Then at every party, I offered to provide a cake as a gift. Within a year, I had built up an ‘impressive gallery’ of birthday designs and one day, I was contacted to create a christening cake, and because money changed hands, Thoroughly-Good Cakes was born.

Q – What should couples expect when booking your services? It’s all in the name Thoroughly-Good Cakes! It’s not just the quality, it’s everything from the initial greeting, whether that be face-to-face, at a wedding fair or a speedy response on the internet, you have my undivided attention. My daughter has been training with me and has shown a natural talent of her own, so we often work side-by-side on larger jobs.

Q – What’s your favourite wedding cake that you’ve made and why? I have so many designs that I have loved for different reasons. Fondant iced cakes will always be my favourite as I have loved using the skills that I have developed over the past nine years of being in business. Q – How long before the wedding should couples book? Any reputable supplier will get booked up in advance, so my advice would be to book as soon as you can.

Q – What’s your favourite part of the job? Every new booking is exciting as each customer has put their trust and faith in me. The planning and making of the cake are enjoyable, but the best bit for me is taking the finished photos and getting to see the customer’s reaction as they see their design for the first time.

Q – Do you have any top tips for couples looking for a cake maker? Do your research! Google reviews, social media business pages, shop windows and asking around are always a great place to start! Do not be afraid to ask questions and ask for samples. See if they have any similar work completed before you book and only pay the deposit when you are certain you have the right person for your wedding.

MEET WHITNEY AND IAN SCHOFIELD FROM THE BLACKROD CAKE COMPANY

07943 448 453 | www.facebook.com/theblackrodcakecompany

Q – Tell us about your background – how did you become a cake maker? It all began 12 years ago when our youngest was turning one. She was born at 31 weeks and had many severe allergies, which found us in the hospital often. When we were planning a cake for her first birthday, we needed a 100 per cent dairy, gluten, egg, soya and nut-free bake, and nobody would come anywhere near us. We thought, how hard could it be? Twelve years later, here we are with an award-winning bakery!

Q – What should couples expect when booking your services? We are very thorough! We like to make sure we understand what you have in mind and that you know exactly what you’re getting. We will ask you to show us the kind of styles you like, and then we start creating a design bespoke for you. Once we have that sorted, we will provide your quote, which includes absolutely everything! There is nothing worse than booking something for your wedding and then finding out there are lots of additional charges!

Q – What’s your favourite wedding cake that you’ve made and why? It feels like there are too many to choose from, but this 4ft beauty (pictured) with the bears on top stands out. There were so many challenges in the construction and so many techniques needed to bring the bride’s vision to life. It was exciting and one we will never forget!

Q – How long before the wedding should couples book? Lots of people come to us saying ‘we’ve sorted everything else, but we forgot about the cake’ or ‘our wedding is next year I’m sure it’s too early to book’. It’s never too early, and make sure it’s up there on your to-do list! We have dates booked in 2023, 2024 and 2025. If you have your heart set on a certain supplier or a certain style that only some designers can create, don’t wait to get in touch!

Q – What’s your favourite part of the job? One of our favourites is the cake tasting. We have an impeccable reputation for taste and over 12 years have developed a lengthy flavour list with over 60 to choose from. When the time comes for couples to choose which flavours they would like to try, they’re always amazed and are even happier when it tastes as amazing as everyone says!

Q – Do you have any top tips for couples looking for a cake maker? Trust your instincts. There are many incredible cake makers in our county, and we all offer something slightly different. There will always be someone who just feels right for you!