Your Hampshire and Dorset Wedding - May/June 2020 (Issue 80)

Ever since Bonita Elms was a young child, she loved to help her mum and grandmother bake in their busy family kitchens. A big high five to that, as now we get to share the joy by showcasing some of her showstopping big-day bakes. “Over the years, baking has become my kind of meditation alongside a nice cup of tea or my favourite tipple; a large gin and tonic!” she reveals. Since launching her wedding cake business Bonita Bakes in July last year, she’s already gained recognition recently winning the Regional South West and National titles for her sea-themed wedding cake (pictured middle top) at The Cake Professionals Awards in March. “I’m always keen to try different and unusual decoration ideas and for this cake I used rice paper moulded and painted to create the effect of flowing waves. I also love to design natural and artistic finishes. Using Italian and traditional buttercreams allows me to add delicious flavours too,” she adds. www.bonitabakes.co.uk Creators of award-winning wedding cakes Dorset- based Coast Cakes opened in 2010. Specialists in bespoke creations, owner Jenny Bronsell is a qualified chef, with distinctions in pastry and patisserie. She says, “It’s extremely important to me that your cake will taste as good as it looks.” Looking ahead she predicts that semi-naked wedding cakes will remain popular; great decorated with English country garden flowers. www.coastcakes.co.uk CAKES 51