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Brides Up North’s sweet tooth nearly got the better of them whilst chatting to Featured Supplier and cake creator extraordinaire Cakes By Beth. Between bites, this wedding cake wonder woman lets Brides Up North worship at the feet of her domestic goddessisity. Fancy some fondant? Me too.
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How did Cakes By Beth begin?
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I have always been a creative person, enjoying drawing, painting and any arts and crafts that I could get involved with. Baking, making pastry and cake decorating was all part of my enjoyment of making things. I remember making a frog and lily pad birthday cake for my dad one year. I spent hours on it and was so proud of the result. It all really kicked off though when I made a 3D Oscar the Grouch cake for my brother’s birthday. We were planning to travel up to visit him to celebrate and I decided to surprise him with an unusual birthday cake. I enjoyed the experience so much, and everyone’s reactions were so positive, that I took every cake-opportunity after that I have been making cakes ever since!
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What is your background/ qualifications?
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I am a bit of a science geek I’m afraid! It was all about the science at school and I went on to study for a Masters and PhD in Materials Science at the University of Manchester. It was the reason I moved to the city from my hometown of Stafford and I loved it so much, I am still here twelve years later!
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Where is Cakes By Beth based?
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I work from my home kitchen in Salford. I offer a complimentary mobile design service, taking my designs, ideas, samples, portfolio and sketch book to the bride, rather than her coming to me. People are so busy these days, and when you are planning a wedding as well, I find that engaged couples are really grateful that I am able to visit them at their home or a place where they feel comfortable. It’s just one less thing to worry about.
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What type of cakes can you make?
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All of my cakes are bespoke, designed from scratch to match each client’s specifications so I have a wide variety of styles and designs in my portfolio. In general though, people come to me for my clean, contemporary style and attention to detail. I love to use flowers and edible vintage brooches in my designs for classic cakes with an exciting twist…but of course there is nothing more fun than a quirky novelty cake!
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I offer a wide selection of flavours, from traditional fruit cake, to red velvet, lemon and even green tea! My most popular flavours are the classics though, vanilla and chocolate, although I make a mean carrot cake, which is coming in a close third.
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Which is your favourite cake design of all time?
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That is a tough one. I’m not sure I have a favourite as I fall in love with each cake as I do it, and also try to surpass my previous work with each new creation. There are some classic styles like the Palm House wedding cake that people always comment on, but then I have also created some really unusual designs, such as the red and gold cupcake tower, which I was absolutely over the moon with. It completely fitted with the decor of the event and was simple but really unusual, so that would go on my list of favourites.
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How long does a wedding cake take to make?
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This really depends on the cake. It all has to be baked, covered and decorated within a week but if there are a lot of intricate details, such as flowers and characters, I would make these beforehand so that the cake is as fresh as possible on the big day. There are other cakes, like the Pastel Pearls wedding cake, where the detailing has to be soft and fresh. I would say I spent about eight hours just moulding the chains of pearls for that one!
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What sort of cake would you make for the Royal Wedding?
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I would design a cake based on a classic style but with some modern twists. They are a young couple and I think they would like a wedding cake that reflects this. I have actually designed a cake with a royal wedding theme in mind. It is tall with sapphire blue flashes, lots of pretty white flowers and little hints of silver. I hope they would approve!
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Have you made any really unusual cakes?
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Yes, I certainly have! My cake business started with novelty cakes and these are still a large part of my work. My most requested novelty cake is the Ninky Nonk Train, based on a vehicle from the BBC’s In the Night Garden. I think it is quite unusual to find it made entirely out of sponge. However, my absolute strangest order of all time so far was based on everything that the man who ordered it’s wife would hate. She is from Trannsylvania, Romania and so hates any references to vampires, plus really does not like meerkats, especially the one from the advert for a certain comparison site. So what cake did he order? A vampire meerkat cake with the message “Bite me :)” The feedback was that she found it hilarious and was really pleased. A brave man nonetheless!
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How far in advance should Brides Up North place their order?
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I usually ask fro three months’ lead time for wedding cakes so that there is enough time to create some designs, tweak them, source the perfect ribbon colour, and things like that. At peak times though, dates do book up quite far in advance so it is best to let your cake maker know as soon as possible that you are interested. That way, they can pencil you in, even if you don’t know what kind of cake you want yet. I offer a £30 Save the Date service for this, meaning that you can reserve your slot in the diary without having to pay a deposit for a cake that you haven’t even ordered yet. My brides generally find this really useful and a reassurance that that is one less stress off their list.
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Can you give me an idea on price?
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All of my cakes are bespoke and so prices vary a lot, depending on the size, design and level of detail. On average though, the wedding cakes I create cost in the region of £300-350, which includes delivery and set up.
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How can Brides Up North get in touch with you?
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My website is www.cakesbybeth.co.uk
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I am also on Twitter @cakesbybeth and on Facebook
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Anything else we should know?
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I am an ethical wedding supplier. There are no hidden charges and no “wedding tax”. Whatever your event, my pricing structure remains the same.
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All ingredients are locally sourced, seasonal and Fairtrade wherever possible. All eggs are free range from happy hens living on a local smallholding. I am also a great advocate of speciality local jams and preserves, which are rich and packed with fruit.
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I use organic, un-waxed citrus fruits, the finest quality Nielsen-Massey Madagascan vanilla extract and fresh seasonal fruits to flavour my cakes. There are no artificial flavours or preservatives. This all ensures that everything tastes as good as it looks.
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Thanks Beth! Watch out for a fab giveaway from Cakes By Beth soon on Brides Up North. Speaking of which…
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Have you entered the Brides Up North Right Royal Giveaway Bonanza yet?
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Click here for the chance to win your WEDDING DRESS (worth up to £1,200!) with Mia Sposa Bridal and Menswear
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Click here for the chance to win gorgeous Royal Wedding inspired stationery by Cards By Sophie
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Click here for the chance to win a bed and breakfast break at Hardwick Hall Hotel, County Durham with a bottle of champagne!
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Click here for the chance to win an free engagement shoot, a free 14 x11 mounted image for signing and a free storybook album worth £350 with Lee Brown Photography.
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Cakes By Beth is a Brides Up North Featured Supplier
Contact Brides Up North to submit your business as a Featured Supplier
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