27th Jun 2019
Unless you were already into wedding cakes and bakeries on Instagram, then a few weeks ago the name Clare Ptak probably didn’t mean much to you. Fast forward in time and the world’s media were all itching to speak to her after news broke that she would be creating Prince Harry and Ms Meghan Markle’s wedding cake.
Ms Markle had previously met the owner of London bakery Violet Cakes when she interviewed her for her lifestyle website ‘The Tig’ and the Californian bakers use of seasonal and organic ingredients clearly left an impression.
Even more exciting was the news that the cake would be a lemon elderflower cake “covered in buttercream and decorated with fresh flowers”. A departure from the traditional fruit-cake caused quite a stir and we love the choice. Of course, the royal couple are by no means the first to shun tradition in favour of something they prefer and this week we take a look at some bakers local to us and get their reaction to the royal news:
Image credit: Riff Raff Photography
Specialising in bespoke wedding and celebration cakes, just looking at this company’s website makes our mouths water. Where the Ribbon Ends is based at Jervaulx Abbey Tearooms. Cakes, tray bakes and pastries are baked by Carol, Gayle and Anna using local and high-quality ingredients. Gayle is mainly self-taught but one look at her detailed, three-tier sculptures would make you think she’d trained for years first. She said of the royal wedding cake choice:
“Personally I love the flavour choice, I’m going to be serving it at a wedding fair this weekend. Lemon is one of our most popular flavours. We do a gooseberry and elderflower cake when they are in season. I think it will be a huge hit.”
‘Olive’ by Amanda Earl Cake Design
“I think lemon and elderflower is a delicious combination. The delicately floral sweet taste of the elderflower will be perfectly balanced by the tang of the lemon. But, then I love any floral flavour. Indeed, I have a couple of floral choices on my menu, namely, Lavender & Pear and Rose & Raspberry. It is also nice to see that the royal couple have chosen a baker for whom provenance of ingredients is so important, an ethos I share.”
Initially starting out in ceramics, Amanda Earl’s creative flair is apparent in all of her cake designs. Based in Harrogate, we love her use of florals and how detailed her designs are. This Moroccan-inspired opulent wedding cake, for example, features sugar damask roses, sugar fruits & foliage, with hand piping and 24ct edible gold leaf accents. Almost too good to eat!
Even if you’re not into cake, you’re probably one of over 74,000 people following Poppy Pickering on Instagram for some serious wedding inspiration. A daughter and father team based in Ilkley, their shop window is truly eye-catching. It’s easy to see why they won National Wedding Cake Designer of the Year in 2016.
Dominique said:
“I love the sound of Harry and Megan’s cake flavour, it sounds so summery and perfect in keeping with the wedding cake design they are going for. To be honest I am thinking of adapting my lemon & blueberry cake flavour to incorporate the elderflower too. I must admit I also have a new cake flavour which might sound appealing, its orange, satsuma and Masons Yorkshire gin!”
Yum! Tell us what cake you want on your dream day and meet local Cake Designers at our Wedding Showcase on Sunday 29 April 11am – 4pm. Can’t wait until then? Get in touch with us about your wedding day.
Posted in Food & DrinkWedding CakesWeddings
