A walk into Sally Mills’ kitchen is like a dream for the sweet toothed.

Wafts of spices, marzipan and Belgian chocolate linger in the air, incredible mock cakes are shelved around the room, and specialist sugarcraft maker Gail quietly beavers away, piecing together intricate confectionary gems.

This is the hub for Cakeflair, Sally’s specialist cake making business. And from the scents and sights inside her purpose-built kitchens, its not hard to see why couples recommend the company time and time again, making Cakeflair one of the most sought after wedding cake suppliers in the east.

Sally has been making cakes for over 20 years now, gathering along the way the type of experience and knowledge that only comes with time, and making her the doyenne of the wedding cake world.

Like many wedding cake makers, the business spawned not from a commercial kitchen but from the domestic one, with Sally making a christening cake for her daughter.

Many fun novelty birthday cakes followed, and Sally soon found herself becoming known around her home village of Capel St Mary for her baking.

Word of mouth spread, and owing to demand Cakeflair was born, with the business moving into its own premises eight years ago.

Aided by her team of Gail, Pauline and Sheila – who is tasked with the difficult chocolate work – Sally bakes up to 300 cakes a year, delivering and setting-up each one herself.

After meeting Sally at a fair, having her recommended, or simply stumbling across her business through press and the internet, visit Sally in her kitchens for a one hour, no obligation consultation about how she could create your cake.

Couples are advised to take along anything that may help the design process, from pictures of flowers or table arrangement ideas to colour swatches.

The best thing is that, being such a long time in the business, Sally knows all of the venues in the county, and can advise on the types of icing colours that would work with the backdrop, where the light may fall (very important) and where is best to place your cake.

Everything is handmade, from the cakes themselves, to the flowers, cake-toppers and chocolate scrolls.

As for flavour, Sally is open to suggestion, with her repertoire including: traditional fruit cake, Belgian chocolate cake, lemon, classic vanilla, carrot, chocolate orange, coffee, ginger, gluten free, dairy free and red velvet.

All of the sponges are light, fresh and indulgent, being made no earlier than two days before your event, with proper ingredients, fresh zest, butter and, in the case of chocolate cakes, Callebaut Belgian chocolate being used. The moist fruit cakes are made further in advance to allow the flavours to fully mature.

Anything is possible when it comes to your cake. Sally has tins of all shapes and sizes, from flower or heart shaped, to a traditional square cake.

Colours are usually airbrushed on, and designs are imagined by you with Sally’s guidance and ideas from her extensive portfolio. No two cakes are ever the same.

While you’re with her, Sally will sketch ideas for a design on paper, which you can tweak with her at the meeting until you’re happy. All that’s required then is a £50 deposit to hold your booking, with the best time to book your cake being one year before your big day.

As mentioned earlier, Sally delivers and sets up all of her cakes herself so she can ensure each one looks incredible.

A complete perfectionist, she can often be seen at weddings wedging-up cake tables on uneven floors with one of her numerous pieces of wood and a spirit level, and takes along her cake tool kit for every eventuality – just in case.

Cake knives, a cake table and stands are all available to hire, and Sally always leaves behind cake boxes so any leftovers can be taken home, as (if it lasts long enough) her cakes will freeze well.

Find out how Sally can put some flair into your wedding celebrations by calling her on 01473 312213 or 07923 550531.
You can also email sally@cakeflair.co.uk or visit the website at www.cakeflair.co.uk