Interview with Christine and Phil, Peboryon

20 December 2017

How did you get into cake making?

C: I was an occupational therapist, working in mental health. After having children I moved into counselling and pastoral care.

When we had our children we would have birthdays and celebrations – and we’d just start making cakes to bring joy. In the beginning they were an absolute mess! I started learning through books, online courses and eventually went to college to do a patisserie course. I was also very privileged to be invited to intern with an incredible cake maker called Mike McCarey in Seattle which was incredibly inspiring. I learnt a lot from other people who are a few steps further on.

P: My path into cake was pretty unusual starting with training as an architect, then into international business management, and then retraining as a minister. After leading a church for a few years I stepped down and at the same time Christine’s cake business was taking off.

C: So we said he would join for a year and that was three years ago!

P:  I just had to jump in at the deep end and started making cakes. It turned out I was quite good at sculpting cakes, my first cake was a 5ft long turtle - nothing like starting small and working your way up!

 

As a minister and a counsellor, you have vast experience in listening and understanding people. Do you think this has contributed to the success of your business?

C: It’s fundamental. The heart of good design is capturing what your client wants perfectly. You can’t do that unless you genuinely listen to them.

P: It’s a huge help. Seeing people get one of our cakes and for it to be the perfect fit is one of the most satisfying things. That only happens if we have really heard what they want.

 

What inspires you? 

C: Our clients. They are the starting point and it could be anything that then shapes the design of the cake. A walk in the woods, a piece of art, a favourite colour…

P: I love trying new techniques, it always leads to new ideas and new ways of creating cakes.

 

Do you ever have disagreements?

P: We usually do okay but when it gets late and the pressure is on it can get tricky! You just have to work it through. 

C: If we have two different ideas we create them and see what looks best, and that usually works it out.

 

What’s the next big project for you?

C: We’re looking forward to our holiday! Our rhythm of the year is to take January off from cake making to meet with venues and venue planners. Then in February its lots of wedding shows, cake consultations and tastings. Then it’s cake time, wedding season starts and we get the amazing privilege of being given a part to play in people’s big celebrations. We already have some lovely ones already lined up.

 

On your days off do you go out for coffee and cake? 

P: Yes, we’re always ready for cake! Especially when someone else has made it!

 

What’s your fantasy commission?

P: I would LOVE to make the new Tottenham Hotspur stadium in cake! Or some other big modern building - it’s the architect in me desperate to get out. 

C: You can do that one on your own! An interesting client - one with a bit of personality and who knows what they don’t like just as much as what they do like. An interesting person is an interesting commission. 

 

Cakes continue to be at the centre of celebrations. Why do you think they are so magical?

 C: It has to go back to the symbolism – it’s something that everyone enjoys together. It’s a disappearing thing, you have to be there in the moment. Flowers can last a week, but the cake is there for a fleeting moment. That’s the best bit – all the people that are important to you in your life at that time are gathered around. When I have had celebrations, I remember how I felt rather than the cake. Feeling heard, understood and celebrated, a priceless gift.

P: It’s something about creating memories– it’s not just a cake, it’s a lasting memory.