The Gloriousbakeshop Blog

Wow!! They say absence makes the heart grow fonder but looking back I am shocked to see that my last posting was July 2010.  So, where to start I ask myself?  So so so much has happened since July that I’m thinking ‘where do I start’…a quick recap I think!!  The summer was crazy in our lovely bakery, we successfully worked with 20 brides and grooms and so many birthday parties and other celebrations that I’ve lost count!  Yep, there were times when the stress levels were very high (when only a G&T did the trick)! But overall it was fun.

2011 is shaping up to be another exciting year with the promise of blogging on a regular basis, along with more weddings, wedding fairs to attend, whic are always a great way to meet people and of course our constant aim to continually create some rather scrumtastic cupcake creations.

Anyway, a short but brief blog and I will be back!

It’s been a while since I ‘blogged’ but things at TGBS have been very busy with new and exciting events taking place.  The most exciting is our wonderful new cupcake bakery, which opened it’s doors in May 2010 in the lovely market town of Wallingford, Oxfordshire.  It has taken a bit of time but things have settled nicely and normality has slowly returned!

Wedding season is well upon us and we are even busier than normal with exciting brides finialising plans and those making plans for the year ahead.  It’s always such a pleasure to be included in a brides special time. 

The bakery is a glorious place to be and it keeps us on our toe’s!  The GBS team has expanded and includes Helen, Steve, Linda and a few other friendly helpers.  The great thing is that you have to keep pushing boundaries and create new and exciting flavours and themes customers to try.  I can’t say developing flavours in a tough job.  We always welcome suggestions, so please feel free to drop us a line with ideas and if your suggestions make it onto the menu, then a box of cupcakes will be winging its way to you.

Easter is fast approaching & here at The Glorious Bakeshop we are waving goodbye to the traditional Easter Egg and a big hello to the Easter Cupcake & so are many of you!!!!  A busy week stretches out before The Glorious Baker, with some ‘cracking’ and ‘eggciting’ baking to be done!  Our lovely selection of treats has been so well received, so a big thank you to those who have already ordered, particularly the ‘Bunnypops’ have been a big hit!!!  We could also be found at our 2nd Wedding Fair yesterday at the rather gorgeous Four Pillars Hotel, Sandford on Thames (thank you Sharon).  It was a really lovely day, which gave me the opportunity to meet so many brides to be and listen to their lovely plans for their big days.  The compliments were gratefully received & I wish you all the very best.  It’s only Monday and already exciting news is to come…. The Glorious Bakeshop are now supplying Cupcakes and baked treats to Q Gardens both in their coffee shop and farm shop!  Wishing you all a glorious day

Exciting news….. The Glorious Bakeshop have been invited to the wedding fair being hosted by The Four Pillars Hotel at Sandford on Thames, Oxford this Sunday.  The Wedding fair is a great chance to have a look around this stunning venue, meet their accredited suppliers & added to all of this there are two fashions shows and a firework display – what more could a bride & groom to be ask for????

I’ve been asked several times over recent weeks how I got started in this crazy workd of cakes, (along with do I lick the bowl and how many cupcakes do I eat)! Well, here goes…I have always loved cooking and baking.  For years I made birthday cakes, wedding cakes for friends and friend of friends just enjoying the whole process of creating something.  Then a year or so ago, I hit the BIG 40 and life just started to ask some soul searching questions & I realised that i wanted ‘more’ from life – so with months of planning and plotting The Glorious Bakeshop was launched.  Thankfully my life before baking was based in the tough world of commerce, so I had a trick or two up the sleeve on the business front, but the rest has been and is an amazing learning curve.  I have used the internet massively for inspiration, tips and enjoyed many on-line cake communities.  I spend time in my kitchen ‘playing’ with flavours and techniques and present all of my ideas firstly to my long suffering husband, who is also a great washer up, then family whose criticism have wounded at times but their honesty has always been welcomed and my friends for that reality check and reassurance that only friends can give – you know who you are ladies!  I have also used fab resources such as Business Link, who teamed me up with an experienced caterer, which has been priceless.  Passion has been my biggest driver, I love what I do and I am so pleased I hit 40 and decided to change my life – hurrah!

A yummy selection of Easter Cupcakes

Monday in The Glorious Bakeshop is the day when I catch my breath and play catch up, which usually means a ton of emails getting pinged here there and everywhere!!!!  We’re heading towards Easter and I for one can’t wait.  I love Easter, yes, there are those days off work (for some, not here)! there is chocolate, always a must for any celebration but mostly because you get the enjoy time with family & friends without having to spend the month before hand shopping for gifts, as per Christmas – you just enjoy the time!  I’m also excited about are glorious selection of gifts & treats – be brave and step away from those Easter Eggs!  This year we have created glorious boxed short bread, hopping bunnies in a bag, Shortbread easter eggs, and of course a wonderful range of Cupcakes!  I am a big fan of Keri Harvey The Florist in Wallingford – not only do they make some amazing floral creations but her shop is an Aladdin Cave full of lovely gifts, that are unique and special,  so The Glorious Bakeshop are BIG fans! www.wallingfordflowers.co.uk.  The week ahead looks set to be another busy one & the diary is getting full up with events and celebrations of all shapes & sizes.  I am keen to get out and about to meet as many clients as possible, the wedbsite shows a listing of events where you will find us!  Anyway, the oven has pinged and there are cakes to be made, have a Glorious Day

OK – first blog entry so welcome!  The Glorious Bakeshop is home to the cupcake and are based in the heart of Oxfordshire and is run by myself and a small but perfectly formed team!  I am passionate about baking and 12 months ago decided to put this passion into practice, after much encouragement from family & friends and The Glorious Bakeshop was launched.  Throughout the last 12+ months I have had the pleasure of creating unique cupcakes that have made up a small element of a celebration, such as a wedding, birthday, christening & anniversary.  I love being part of the big day & getting to know the brides, birthday girls/boys and all those celebrating.  Cupcakes are great, little bundles of yumminess that have just for you!  The Glorious Bakeshop also create a wide range of baked treats, our famous brownies, edible wedding favours and celebration cakes.  Enjoy the blog & please follow us and I look forward to ‘blogging’ soon!