Interview with El, The Gourmet Cupcake Company

20 December 2017

 

Can you tell me a little about how you spend your time before you created cakes?

Before I made cakes for a living I was a Design Projects Manager in the city.

 

How did you get into cake making? 

Baking is in my blood. I've been baking with my mum for as long as I can remember, and my grandmother was a baker in Egypt during WW2. She was in the WRACS (Women's Royal Army Corp) and baked traditional cakes such as Victoria Sponges and Custard Tarts for the Officers Mess in Egypt. I can't imagine not baking!

 

What inspires you? 

Whenever I get a commission from a customer I love to be inspired by their story, even something about them that means I can include a personal touch to the cake.

 

Tell us about some recent commissions?

I’ve had some truly wonderful cake commissions from a working carousel to lifesize dress mannequin. I’ve had to push myself more than ever before not just in terms of creativity but also technically with some serious feats of engineering!

 

What’s your fantasy commission you’d love to create something for?

THE ROYAL WEDDING! Doing Prince Harry and Megan’s cake would be an insane dream.

 

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

I think the artistry and realism that comes with high-end cake making really creates the ultimate ‘wow’ factor at an event. Many cakes I've made have been the talking point of the night!

 

Extreme Cake Makers S2 will air on Channel 4 in early 2018