Spring Into Spalding bake-off winner starts Holly Bakewell cake business in Holbeach

Being crowned as a bake-off champ has given a cake maker the confidence to start her own business.

Holly Nag, 30, from Holbeach, presented the winning entry at the Spring Into Spalding bake-off competition event in March - which was judged by Matt Edgell, the 2023 Great British Bake Off winner.

Boosted by the win, she started Holly Bakewell a month later making custom made cakes and now has 1,200 followers on Facebook and Instagram.

Mrs Nag said: “I had nearly set up the business but wasn’t quite confident yet

“When I won I said I am going to do it now.

“It gave me a bit more confidence and I started in April.”

Using Alexa to help her with baking timings, her choice of business name came from a catchy phrase from a family member.

She said: “My mum came up with it.

“Holly Bakewell - yes she does!

“I loved the name.

A qualified chef, Mrs Nag had children and devoted her time to family life but decided she ‘wanted to something for me.’

She said: “It is hard to find a job that fits around children.

“My kids are getting older now.

“I wanted to go back into catering but not work for somebody else.”

Although she had to pay out for equipment and essentials at the beginning, the business is ‘doing really well.’

She said: “I think I am popular because I do gluten free.

“I have been on a course on allergens.

“It is brilliant, I love it.”

Mrs Nag, who has a five star hygiene rating, says that designing cake toppers is one of her favourite parts of the job.

She said: “My favourite thing to do is to make buttercream.

“I also love doing hand crafted fondant work and sugar flowers.

“I spend hours doing these flowers

Mrs Nag has a Level 2 qualification in Food and Hospitality and can make wedding and celebration cakes, afternoon teas, sausage rolls and more for delivery or collection.

Visit Holly Bakewell on Facebook for further information or call 07847 136635.

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