I have such a different job – one that touches people at the most special times in their lives: birthdays, weddings and christenings, but not necessarily in that order. And I have to say, I’m occasionally asked for cakes for funerals! A guy came in to my studio to say his Dad had always wanted a cake ‘from that lovely shop in the village.’ You can imagine my surprise when I found out what it was for. On the day of the funeral his son and daughter came in to collect the cake which simply said, ‘Cheers Dad’.
I became a cake decorator after a long spell in the Royal Navy as a communicator. On leaving the forces there is a grant available for resettlement. I could have chosen typing, painting & decorating etc, but I wanted to do something creative and having attempted a man in a bath for my then husband, I had been bitten by the bug, as many would be cake decorators will understand.
I chose to go to Mary Ford’s cake decorating school. She’s the lady who did Charles and Diana’s cake. I had a ball down there, every day passed in the blink of an eye.
I love making models in icing and have been very lucky to spend time at Slatterys in Manchester, where I also had a fantastic time with chocolate. John’s team there are great, and he is a gentleman. If you get the time do pop in and have lunch in his fabulous restaurant.
I have also spent time with Lindy Smith making jewellery for wedding cakes, which is still very new and expensive to do, not only in time but money. But I do like to offer a good range of styles.
Four years ago I decided to open my own studio. I wanted it to be a total experience for anyone coming in, so it’s light and airy and I spend ages looking for items for my shop which are unusual. The studio has a number of cakes on display and I take many hours design cakes that are different. I want to be different and for my brides to have the chance to have an input into the cake they want.
