OUR STORY
For the Love of Food
Maybe you're here because you need a cake? I can help with that. Or maybe you need cookies? I can help with that too. Or maybe a dessert, snack pack, treat assortment, easy breakfast items or family freezer snacks for the week. Yep, I can help there too. Maybe you're not even sure what you need, you know you just need SOMETHING! Don't stress, I'm here for you! What I'm getting at is that I don't just make cake. If you'd like to know a little more about why I do this, read on...warning: I have a lot to say! If you'd rather skip right to the ordering part, please shoot me a message, email me, send out the cake signal (much like the bat signal but SO MUCH BETTER) or just you know, gimme a call :)
A hobby usually starts with a love of something. Mine started with a love of food, cooking and the biggest love of baking. My love of all homemade goodness stems from growing up on a dairy farm in Devon situated in beautiful South West England. My mum was always creating something delicious in the kitchen to feed the masses. Our home was a steady stream of family and friends coming and going but there was always homemade food: cooking or baking, it didn't matter. It was always fresh, it was always comforting and it always brought people together. I always felt (and still do) that food is powerful and sometimes a little magical. It fuels our bodies and brings us comfort and joy. There is nothing more joyous then diving into your favourite treat!
As a kid, Saturday's were baking day. Mum would spread the ingredients on the kitchen table and start creating the best savouries, desserts and treats you'd ever eaten. And I usually got to "help" (she had the patience of a saint!). My childhood memories are centered around our table in that kitchen; baking, creating, laughing, sometimes crying and being with the people I loved. I treasure these memories and hold them very close to my heart.
Moving to Canada in 2009 meant I had to learn how to cook and bake differently. As life evolved, I found I baked more and found tremendous comfort in the process. It was like a form of therapy and to this day, my go-to method of self-help is found in the kitchen. I spend A LOT of time in the kitchen, baking and magic-ing up all kinds of culinary sensations (just ask my husband how well some of these turn out ;) and as our kids are growing, I find that everyone gravitates to this part of the house just like I used to. In our home food brings us together and we know that simple, healthy, homemade comforting goodness has the power to do this. Sometimes, it's the not so healthy sugar laden goodness that brings us together too and that's ok - all in moderation!
My dear friend once told me that I should start a baking business. I laughed in her face. Seriously. I thought she was crazy and argued that just because she loved my baking not everyone would. Back then, lots of times my baking didn't turn out the way I wanted so the thought of anyone actually buying my baking blew my mind! I was still trying to find the recipes that worked best and offered consistent results. I stressed over every detail and constantly doubted my abilities. I was not confident in my creations at all.
With a gentle (not gentle at all) shove from my friend and lots of support from my family, I tentatively started Kate's Cakes as a way to channel this hobby of mine. I made the occasional cake and slowly started to experiment and find the best recipes. It took a long while for me to find my groove and feel the confidence that only patience, trial and error can produce. Now with more patience (but less trial and error!), I am confident I can produce what my valued customers are looking for. I seek inspiration everywhere and am always looking for new ideas to try.
My promise is that I will always do my best for you and offer homemade, delicious, affordable goodness for any occasion.
If you've read this far, thank you. I hope I can create exactly what you need and a little of what you didn't know you needed. I am and always will be, honoured to help you celebrate any occasion or event and truly am grateful that I get to share my love of baking with you.
Kate