Your North West Wedding- Page number 46 - August/September 2021 (Issue 69)

MEET MARGARET LEVY FROM ROSEHILL CAKE STUDIO 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 three- tier 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.boh emiaphotos.com w ww.emilyrobinsonphotography.co.uk www.creative-camera.org www.zoie -photography.com www.ant honyivesphoto.com 46