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As you may know already, #SupportingLocalBusiness has always been something we’ve cared about at Pentlebay Clothing. Following this year’s events, it is now, (more than ever), so important that we celebrate and support our fellow locals. This has inspired us to create a monthly #RoystonTuesdayTalks series – where we’ll be chatting to other businesses from our lovely hometown in Hertfordshire.

So, to sweeten the deal and kick this series off, we thought we’d start with a Q&A with Kelly Da Silva Fernandes from Kelly's Kitchen 😊. Enjoy…

1) Tell us a little bit about your business and what you do.

I’m Kelly from Kelly's Kitchen based in Royston. I make wedding cakes, celebration cakes, lots and lots of cupcakes and treats.

I also run Children’s Baking Parties and online Virtual Cupcake Decorating Parties.

Pre Covid I used to have a stall on Royston Market, I now supply my treats to the new cafe Kooky Nohmad at the weekends.

2) When did you start Kelly’s Kitchen and what/who inspired you to start the business?

I started the business in March 2019 after years of making cakes for family and friends. I used to regularly bake with my Mum and my Grandmother as a child too. One of my earliest memories is standing on a stool in her kitchen helping to bake a cake.

My Dad actually inspired me to start Kelly’s Kitchen. When I was younger, he had his own business delivering fresh bread, baked goods and milk to residents in the villages surrounding Royston. I used to join him on his rounds!

In the early hours of the morning, we would go to Days Bakery HQ in Ashwell to pick up the fresh bread that was still warm. I used to love going down to the bottom of the bakery where the cakes were decorated, and used to watch in awe. I was often treated to a warm jam doughnut straight off the cooling rack!

My Dad has worked very hard all his life and now he’s retired he often helps me with the business side of things – which is invaluable to me with his experience.

3) How involved are you in the local Royston community?

Apart from a brief stint in Leicester and London for Uni and work, I’ve lived in Royston all my life.

I’m passionate about local businesses in Royston, and have made many friends that also run small businesses. I love working with them and have had lots of collaborations, supporting each other. You can often find me in Banyers House or Kooky Nohmad meeting local people and organising exciting projects.

During lockdown when I was closed for 8 weeks, I ran online bake-alongs on Facebook. My children and I really enjoyed them and was so pleased to receive photos every week of proud local children with their bakes.

4) How do you keep up to date with the latest baking and cake decorating trends?

Wedding publications, Instagram and Pinterest are amazing resources for inspiration and trends. I always give a trend a short time before I try it as they are not always for everyone and I’m selective about what I try out.

Personally I prefer to take inspiration from all around me. Nature is hugely inspirational, particularly for wedding cakes. I was recently at Therfield Heath for a wedding photo shoot with Gareth Jones Photography, and took my own photos of the wild flowers – thinking of new designs for wedding cakes. I often use fresh flowers on cakes but I absolutely love making delicate sugar flowers too.

My logo was actually inspired by Champneys in Henlow, a very special place that I go to every year with my Mum. Kelly’s Kitchen logo is based on some of the decorative features from the spa.

I used to really enjoy going to cake shows too, which are not only a fun day out but very inspirational.

5) Baking has become more and more about the look and aesthetics, as well as the taste. Are you ever inspired by fashion trends when building your delicious creations?

Fashionable colour combinations often filter down from fashion to cake design, especially for weddings. Some couples are very set on the style of wedding. They pull together resources to show how the colours and style can work throughout all the elements of the wedding including, of course, the cake!

When I work with other suppliers on photo shoots there is always a mood board to show the vision for how the colours, textures and flowers complement each other.

6) Do you have any top tips for our wonderful Pentlebay customers, on how to make THE perfect cupcake?

With cupcakes it’s all about getting a light sponge with a flat top so that you can pipe a swirl! Making sure the oven is not too hot will help you get that flat top. I bake at 160 (fan) for approx 20 mins. 😊

To find out more about Kelly’s Kitchen or to treat yourself to some deliciously tasty creations, head over to https://kellyscakekitchen.co.uk/

Thanks for reading, have a lovely day!

Discovery

Royston Tuesday Talks Part 1 – Kelly's Kitchen

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Discovery

Royston Tuesday Talks Part 1 – Kelly's Kitchen

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