Mich Turner: cake-maker to the Queen

After studying food science at university, Turner started making cakes in her spare time after graduation. She soon attracted the attention of Harvey Nichols and was recruited as a buyer. But in 1999, her business had grown to such a level that it required full-time attention.

“Within a year, I was asked to do Madonna’s wedding cake. I’ve also made cakes for Pierce Brosnan, Cheryl Cole, and Gordon Ramsay,” Turner says.

“The celebrity work is great. You have to pinch yourself sometimes as you’ll be setting up a cake on the dance floor while Sister Sledge is warming up beside you. You do get to meet some lovely people and you realise they’re just as normal as you or I.”

Turner has also written three books and teaches others the tricks of her trade. “I hold masterclasses for students from all around the world,” she says.

The latest development in the business has been the addition of an online shop. Cakes are delivered the next day to customers who place orders in the UK. The online facility was launched in response to customer demand.

Turner says: “It’s another way to reach some of our customers who are international. Within a week of launching it, the Guardian had named the cakes available online as its ‘buy of the week’, while the Daily Mail has featured it as well. People need an occasion to send a nice cake but we’re hoping it will rival sending a bunch of flowers or a bottle of champagne.”

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