This month, Katie from Malarkey Cakes joins us on the blog to answer our quick-fire ‘get to know you’ questions!
Katie is a cake designer based in London. She designs cakes for couples getting married in and around the capital and is inspired by all things London, travel and architecture. Most of her main influences are from her adventures travelling the world, where she loves to do a bit of international cake research by visiting as many cafes and bakeries as possible – sounds like a great (and yummy) way to develop a business…!
Here is Katie to tell you all about herself and the wonderful bespoke wedding cake company that is Malarkey Cakes….
Please Introduce Yourself
I’m Katie Lake and I’m the owner of Malarkey Cakes. I live in North East London with my husband and I design and make bespoke cakes with a contemporary and fun twist, inspired by everything around me; art, design, architecture and nature. I love food, travel, art and photography and am a geography geek!
Your business…
1. What made you want to set up your business?
I’ve always wanted to set up something of my own and have a creative job. I made a lot of things for our wedding including the table decorations, invitations and I also decided to make the cake and took courses and practiced until I was confident enough to make it! And that was it. I started taking orders from other people and decided ‘this is what I want to do’.
2. What’s the best part of your job?
Being creative! When a client says, “You have free reign to create something because we love your cakes!”
3. What’s the worst part of your job?
Not going to lie…the constant cleaning of my kitchen!
4. What’s the weirdest request you’ve ever had from a client?
Vagina cupcakes! I don’t do cupcakes! Lol!
5. What’s been your favourite ever wedding you’ve worked on/at?
One I did at Hackney Town Hall last year. The cake perfectly echoed the art deco architecture of the building and that’s what I get geeky about!
6. You’re surrounded by beauty in your job. What do you find beautiful?
Buildings, architecture and interiors, and amazing flower displays.
7. Best piece of advice to offer to those getting married?
You’ll never please everyone, so just do things your way and make your wedding your own! And book early to avoid disappointment!
8. Anyone you particularly admire in the industry?
Wedding planners! They are so organised and so good at working with both clients and suppliers. (Thanks Katie!!)
9. Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Stop comparing yourself to others and focus on your own journey.
10. What was your career plan B?
I think this is my plan B! Or it is my second career anyway. I would love to be an architect though!
You…
11. Where do you call home?
I live in Tottenham, North London but I am from Hertfordshire which is where I call my family home.
12. Favourite shop?
My favourite shop is definitely the Food Hall in either Harrods or Selfridges, but I also love museum shops – especially the shop at the V&A.
13. Favourite restaurant?
This is way too hard! I love all food! Depends on my mood but I absolutely love Peruvian food. The ceviche and pisco sours at Ceviche, Soho, are amazing. I also love proper traditional Italian restaurants; the ones that don’t look like the décor or frontage have changed since like 1965!
14. Cocktail of choice?
Mojito!
15. Who would play you in a movie about your life?
I’ve been told I look like Kate Hudson – I don’t believe it but that would be nice!
16. Your biggest extravagance?
Flights and holidays, preferably ones to faraway places. I spent most of my twenties traveling and working abroad.
17. If you could buy any building which would it be?
Battersea Power station pre-renovation, to make it into a concert venue for the people rather than a luxury development! Rant over!
18. Do you collect anything?
Postcards from everywhere I have been.
19. What’s the most romantic thing someone’s ever done for you?
My husband asked me to marry him while we were cycling across London Bridge. (We had only been together 4 months!)
20. Where do you go to let your hair down?
Anywhere that has gin! I love a proper cosy pub with a fire in the countryside.
And finally…
21. Tell us something about yourself
I love scuba diving and find it really relaxing. The best place I have been scuba diving was in Honduras. I went traveling around Central and South America for 6 months by myself. I lived and worked as an English Language teacher in Vietnam and Cambodia. I don’t like raw onions in salad?
22. Invisibility or flight?
Definitely flight so I can freely go on holiday when I need a break – I’d go somewhere hot and interesting and do my bit for the planet too.
23. Tell us your favourite Instagram accounts at the moment!
I am inspired by architecture and interiors so @maisonetobjet and @designmilktravels.
24. Any regrets in life?
Not starting my own business earlier and not going out with my husband when I first met him 3 years before we got together!
25. If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
The amount of pollution that mass consumerism is causing, and how we are letting this get out of control and ruining the planet.
Thank you so much to Malarkey Cakes for taking part. Her designs are stunning! (And I can personally testify they taste amazing too!) If you want a unique, bespoke wedding cake then Katie is most certainly your girl!
Photography Credits: Malarkey Cakes
