New venture puts the icing on the cake for entrepreneur
A CONFECTIONERY business, whose nearest competitors are in South Korea and California, has been launched by a Yorkshire entrepreneur.
Sarah Bates, from Farnley near Harrogate, has created The Icing Workshop, an innovative venture which aims to promote the art of cake decorating across the county.
The Icing Workshop is based in a bespoke studio at Farnley Business Park, on the edge of the beautiful Yorkshire Dales National Park, where Ms Bates provides everything needed to decorate a cake for everyone from complete beginners to Great British Bake-Off and Cake Boss fanatics.
“I’m fascinated by the idea and challenge of making beautiful, edible art and want to give everyone the opportunity to experience how easy, creative and satisfying cake decorating can be, when everything you need is at your fingertips,” she says.
“I haven’t come across a do-it-yourself cake decorating café in Britain. In fact my research shows the nearest similar concepts are in South Korea and California.”
The Icing Workshop was inspired by a charity bike ride. Having run her own celebration cake business for five years, Ms Bates was looking for ways to raise funds for a Barnado’s bike ride from Harrogate to Edinburgh and thought her friends might enjoy having a go at decorating a cake over a coffee, making a donation to the charity in payment.
“I was delighted by the positive response, which sparked the idea for an informal DIY cake-decorating studio. People were thrilled by what they had achieved in a short time, while their families were amazed when they took the cakes home and by the personal thought that had gone into each cake. It really was a win-win experience,” she said.
“The current trend and interest in cake baking and decorating, promoted by TV shows such as Ace of Cakes and Cake Boss, together with the present revival in traditional crafts, further prompted me to explore ways of making cake decorating accessible to all in a contemporary fashion.”
She added: “The beauty of the idea is that anyone can have a go, from the smallest child to pensioners and it’s a fun activity for all generations to do together.
“I keep everything very simple and it’s much easier than you might think. Once you arrive at our studio, choose a delicious locally-baked gift-sized cake or cupcakes and have a go at decorating, using our range of coloured sugar pastes, icings, ribbons and edible glitters and beads.
“There are cutters, patterned rollers and tools to use along with plenty of inspirational books and photos to help you create your edible masterpiece, ready to put in a cake box and take home to wow family and friends or to simply enjoy yourself.
“Assistance is on hand to help with techniques and design ideas – it’s just rolling, cutting out and sticking on. It’s really that easy, and is a relaxing experience.”
