QUEEN OF CAKES
What inspired genius cakemaker Clare Owen to find her gift and follow her destiny?
BESPOKE BAKER Clare Owen was gifted a Kitchenaid Mixer as a wedding present 10 years ago, and still uses it every day for family baking as well as the often complex creations for her company, Clare Owen Cakes. Her love of baking began as a child, when she’d watch her mum in the kitchen. ‘Growing up, our cake tins were never empty. The alchemy of baking inspired me, I love that you can use a few simple ingredients to create something magical.’ Clare now makes original cakes to order for special occasions, from weddings and birthdays to photo shoots. Each commission is unique – a challenge Clare relishes given her artistic background. ‘I trained as a sculptor and I’m still inspired by illustrators and embroiderers and the vibrant colours, textures and patterns they create.’
But the projects Clare loves most are those for charity Free Cakes For Kids. ‘ We make birthday cakes for children who wouldn’t otherwise get one, like refugees or homeless families. We work to the child’s brief – there is nothing more special than a child getting their birthday cake to their exact design.’ Giving the gift of baking to the children wouldn’t have happened if Clare hadn’t been inspired by her mum and that Kitchenaid gift all those years ago. So what would she like to find under the tree this year? ‘Plates! I’ve been using an inherited 1950s Wedgwood dinner set for 15 years, which is so well-loved it’s almost crumbling.’ New cake tins and a mixing bowl, to replace some of her older stuff, would also be ideal. Plus a chic notebook for jotting down ideas. Oh, and clothes, too – Clare also does a lot of work for fashion houses, so needs to look the part. ‘And on my fantasy list, an original piece of work by one of my favourite artists, Rachel Whiteread or Clare Woods.’
Find the gift that helps them find their gift at very.co.uk. For a chance to win a gift for you and a loved one, go to very.co.uk/lovegiving*