How One Woman’s Baking Hobby Became A Full-Time Job

"My mum is a wonderful cook and growing up our cake tins were never empty. As a child, the alchemy of baking inspired me - I loved that you can use a few simple ingredients and create something magical, so you could say that becoming a professional cake maker was always on the cards.

"I graduated from Art School with a First Class degree in Fine Art Sculpture and spent 10 years working with some of the UK’s most acclaimed artists to curate public art installations. Having this background in the arts and as a trained sculptor means that I am inspired by the work of illustrators, embroiderers, sculptors and architects. Their vibrant colour combinations, unusual textures and patterns are what inspire my cake designs.

"Since then, I had always loved baking and started making cakes for friends and family. Then one day I had an enquiry from a total stranger and I realised this had become a job, not a hobby. I started off slow when my children were tiny, and then once they were both at school and I had a bit more free time, I put proper structures in place to make it a professional enterprise.

"Being a cake maker is great because I love contributing to the happiest occasions in my clients' lives - it's so fulfilling. There is something almost ritualistic about the tradition of coming together and enjoying a special item of food, and the cake is often the focal point. There is a huge amount of joy involved in working with customers who are planning birthdays, anniversaries and especially weddings! For my own wedding, my best friend gifted me a KitchenAid mixer. Ten years on I still use it, both for my professional cakes and our family baking. It is brilliantly reliable, looks gorgeous in my kitchen, and is really helpful in my job.

"When I'm commissioned for a wedding, I meet couples before I make their wedding cake. We talk about how the design of their cake can reflect their passions and interests, and it's a surprisingly intimate process. I find out how people met, and what designs they love - one couple I made a cake for this year met when she was holding an inflatable flamingo - so they had flamingos on top of their cake! Some people are quite conservative in their choices but others are brave and really want a statement piece. There is no ‘good or bad’ option, your cake is a chance to have something totally for you - that's what I love about designing them.

"Just like my friend gifted me that KitchenAid all those years ago and spurred on my passion for baking, this Christmas I'd gift someone a beautiful apron or a recipe book with inspiring ideas for flavours and designs."

This Christmas, head to Very.co.uk to give a gift that helps someone you love discover their gift and to Very.co.uk/lovegiving for the chance to win a gift for you and a loved one.

Plus, shop our edit of gifts that will inspire someone to start baking below: