A 22-YEAR-OLD former Brimsham Green School student is celebrating a successful first month of her new business.
Natalie Knight set up Sunflour Cakery in February after deciding to set up her own cake shop last year.
After studying catering and hospitality at Bath College, Natalie worked in the Michelin star restaurant and worked her way up to supervisor of the Brasserie at Lucknam Park Hotel.
There she developed her skills before deciding to set up on her own and offer something new to the Yate area.
“I was given the first opportunity to make the head pastry chefs wedding cake” Natalie recalled.
“Then I realised that I wanted to do it on my own and decided to start looking for a place to set up in the area.”
Natalie finally found her dream premises, a unit on North Road near Yate Train Station that she has since turned in to a fantastic little shop.
“I was looking for a place from around April 2018 and finally got in here in November last year,” Natalie continued.
“Me and my family then refurbished it in our spare time and officially opened on February 11, last month.”
There was actually a friendly, famous and familiar face for Natalie at the opening, as Masterchef contestant Elly Wentworth, whom she had worked with at Lucknam, came down to officially cut the ribbon on the cake shop.
“I always wanted to do something like this,” Natalie explained.
“From when I was in college and then after I got back in the kitchen at Lucknam, it is just a bit surprising that it has gone as well as it has!”
The shop on North Road sells cupcakes Tuesday to Friday 10am-4pm and also on Saturday’s from 10am-2pm, offering customers the chance to drop in and buy a selection of cupcakes that changes daily.
Natalie is also non-stop making celebration cakes for numerous occasions and events for customers.
“I think a lot of the interest has come from social media,” Natalie revealed.
“We have flavours of the day which is where I make a selection of different cupcakes everyday.
“That has definitely helped because people know that it won’t be there the next day so they have to come and get it then.
“Making the celebration cakes has also been amazing because I am able to get really creative with the designs.
“People come in and explain the kind of thing they want and then they let me go away and create a cake for them, it is something I am really passionate about.
“Every cake is different and so I really enjoy the challenge.
“It has been really good and I am loving it so far, you never know how busy you are going to be when you set up a business but I am so grateful to everyone and want to keep offering something different.”
The 22-year-old revealed her plans for the future and explained that as well as making the daily cupcakes and special celebration cakes, she intends to start hosting classes in another room at her shop.
“I want to move forward and I think that by offering classes where people come in and learn how to decorate and make things I can do that,” Natalie said.
“I know where I want to go with the business and the venue that we have is perfect for me moving forward.
“It is all on one level and has a couple of different rooms so it is easily accessible for everyone.
“Hopefully over the coming months I can take on some more staff and start the classes at the shop.
Whilst Natalie is still finding her feet, she has already received more than 100 celebration cake orders and frequently sells out of cupcakes daily.
Her Sunflour Cakery Facebook page, that provides updates on her daily flavours and some celebration cake designs, also has over 1000 likes and followers.
“It was a big risk setting it up but it has gone really well and I am loving it,” Natalie said.
“My friends and family are so pleased and happy it has been successful so far and hopefully there is more to come.”
Natalie’s shop is address North Road, BS37 7PA and she can be contacted on 01454 324000.
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