Having my very own bakery is all I’ll knead to make a dream come true
Flora It’s my way of giving something back to town
She’s used to being elbow-deep in dough. But Bake Off star Flora Shedden is up to her eyes in plaster and paint as she prepares for the opening of her new shop.
The 21-year-old, who became the youngest GBBO semi- final ist in 2015, is busy transforming a former newsagent’s in her hometown of Dunkeld, Perthshire, into a cake shop and deli. Flora moved into a flat above the store with long- term boyfriend James before Christmas and is working round the clock to ensure her tasty business venture is up and running by May. The baker, whose f irst cookbook, Gatherings, came out last week, said: “We were planning to open in April but there have been a couple of building setbacks. “There’s a lot of work to be done but, if it all goes well, we could be throwing open the doors in May. “It’s a mammoth and daunting task as it is a 200-year-old building but we are getting there slowly but surely. “The place has now been gutted and the lovely stone walls have been exposed. “We’re tackling everything we can ourselves. It’s all pretty full- on and I spend most of my time washing plaster out of my hair. “The other day we unearthed the most beautiful old range dating from the 1800s. “Now that the building has been fully stripped, I am able to envision the whole bakery. “I had looked at other places in Glasgow and Edinburgh but I wanted to do something here in Dunkeld. It will hopefully be my way of giving something back to the town. “I grew up here, it’s a great place for foodies and Perthshire has amazing produce. So a lot of the ingredients I’ ll be using can be sourced locally. “Hav in g my own bakery is a dream I’ve had since I was a little girl.” The bakery, as yet un-named, wi l l sell
bread, cakes, pastries and tarts as well as a selection of sandwiches, salads and fancy lunchtime snacks.
Flora, who has been baking for as long as she can remember, said: “Most of the food will be takeaway but there will be a few seats near the door for folk who want to come in for a coffee and slice of cake.
“I will be doing most of the cooking but I will be employing a full-time baker and my mum will be lending a hand. It’s going to be a real family affair.
“Lots of people want me to call it the Flora Shedden Bakery but I’m unconvinced and there are a few more names being tossed around.
“I’ve had lots of good luck messages from supporters around the world, with some promising to travel thousands of miles to pay a visit once we open, which is quite incredible.
“Most of the recipes I will be using in the bakery will be from my book. It’s great having your own cookbook on hand to turn to. It’s going to be another exciting year.
“I’m also going to be doing wedding cakes. I did eight over the summer for families and friends and it’s become a real passion.”
Flora’s book, Gatherings, has been flying off the shelves since its release on January 26 and she isn’t ruling out a second.
She said: “I’ve been working on the book for so long that when it was put into my hand it felt very surreal. Thankfully, everybody I know seems to like it.
“I keep getting sent photos of my recipes people have tried, which is fantastic. My aunt has done 10 already.
“I’ve had lovely messages from my fellow contestants on Bake Off including Nadiya Hussain and Mat Riley.
“Once the bakery is up and running, I wouldn’t say no to another book, perhaps on the building of the bakery itself and some of the new recipes I am planning to try on customers.”
Flora, who is an accomplished food blogger, has decided to keep deferring her history of art degree at St Andrews University.
She said: “I haven’t quit my degree but intend to defer for a bit longer with all that is going on.
“I don’t know what my long-term plans will be but I might decide to finish my degree at some point. I miss the seaside and student life.
“Writing a book and opening a business have forced me to grow up pretty quickly.
“My sister Hebe is doing neuroscience at Glasgow University so I get to be a student again when I visit her.”
Flora, who is a presenter on BBC Radio Scotland’s weekly food show The Kitchen Cafe, admits she is disappointed that the Great British Bake Off as we know it is gone.
She said: “I was sad when I heard it was moving to Channel 4 and Mary Berry, Mel and Sue would be leaving but I suppose I put it down to a seven-year itch.
“The show was at an all-time high and it’s very difficult to keep that momentum going. Perhaps a shake- up is a good thing. You can’t keep dragging something on forever.
“Although the format isn’t going to be the same, it doesn’t mean it isn’t going to be good. I’m looking forward to seeing what they come up with.”
Last week, Scots clan chief Lady Claire Macdonald, Irish TV chef Rachel Allen and Yorkshire cook Frances Atkins were photographed attending screen tests in London with judge Paul Hollywood, sparking rumours they are to be the replacements for Mary Berry.
Flora, who has a cat called Dog, said: “I know there have been rumours about who will be fronting the new show with Paul Hollywood and they all look interesting.
“It would be nice to have a Scot and talented Lady Macdonald certainly has the credentials.”
She added: “The Bake Off definitely changed my life and I will be forever grateful to the show for the doors it opened for me.
“If you had told me two years ago that I would have a cookbook out and would be getting ready to open my own bakery, I would have thought you were joking.
“Although I loved doing the show, I wouldn’t do it again as I found it incredibly knackering. I haven’t plans to do more TV and I much prefer radio.
“I’ve always been someone who has run before they could walk and, for now, I’m planning to slow it down and concentrate on making my bakery the best it can be.”
Fans from all around the globe have said they’ll visit my bakery