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Feature Articles
Winning a scholarship to Leiths School of Food & Wine provided the inspiration for Gemma Parker to start her own Flixton based business Humble Cake. Established in April 2007, Humble Cake provides fresh, high quality home baked cakes direct to the door through local delivery and a nationwide mail order service After leaving Leiths, Gemma spent 9 months, researching the market, sourcing local suppliers and creating a website. Whilst at Leiths she was inspired by working in patisseries, such as Baker & Spice and Ottolenghis, in London. “When I moved to Flixton, I wanted to bring the cake eating public of Norfolk and Suffolk a similar experience, they have an array of fantastic local produce and I thought why not use them to create a range of special cakes” Gemma said. Seasonal delights on offer this month include Autumn Plum Cake and Raspberry Cake- the fruit being either picked from the garden or purchased just down the road. Gemma said “There is an increasing resistance to factory made and supermarket sold products. People appreciate the fact that my cakes are produced using wherever possible the highest quality locally sourced, organic, seasonal ingredients and free-range eggs. All cakes are also free from preservatives, hydrogenated fats and are suitable for vegetarians. The selection of cakes on offer varies slightly every month to take advantage of the availability of seasonal ingredients. When I first started our resident chickens provided the eggs but the business has developed so rapidly, that demand quickly outstripped supply!” Her venture has received considerable publicity with articles in a number of publications – both local and national and she has even featured in an East Anglian “foodie” magazine where her Raspberry and Polenta cake appeared in the Masterclass section. She says “One of the things I find satisfying is living and working in a rural community where I am able to contribute by buying locally”
“So far my business development has been consumer led” says Gemma “For instance I have had a lot of enquiries for cakes from people with special dietary needs, so I have introduced a range of gluten and dairy free cakes. Also, although I do not make traditional wedding cakes, couples have asked me to make them a tiered stand of individually iced wedding cupcakes- “I think they are attracted by the fact that they know that the cakes will be made with high quality ingredients and understandably they only want the very best on their Special Day” Perhaps the most exciting development that has arisen from consumer demand is that Humble Cake has provided a number of buffets locally – “The cakes are still at the centre of the buffet, but I provide fish, meats and salads prepared and sourced using the same guiding principles and this is an area I am definitely going to expand during 2008” Over the next few weeks she will be kept busy making Christmas cakes, to a secret family recipe, so that they are fully matured in time for festive celebrations in December. These can be sent as presents or bought for the family feast. There will also be other edible gifts available as well as the unique Cake Club; a great gift idea at any time of the year for cake lovers or the “hard to buy for”. A 6 month or annual membership means the lucky recipient receives a different cake every month delivered to their door. On the subject of gifts, Gemma has found that many people prefer to send one of her cakes to friends and relatives as an unusual alternative to sending flowers for a special event or just as a thank you. For more information of latest products either call Gemma on 01986 893133 or see www.humblecake.co.uk and order online www.bungay-suffolk.co.uk |
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“I have a passion for cooking, and baking in particular and I started cooking when I was young, learning my cooking skills from my Mum who trained as a chef” she said.
