A Sweet Start
Baking has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up with a mum who trained as a patisserie chef, our kitchen was always filled with the scent of cakes, pastries, and creativity. She’d patiently teach me her favourite recipes—some of which I can still recite by heart. At just 10 years old, I even wrote my own little cookbook! I still have it today, and now and then I’ll open it up for a dose of nostalgia (and a great recipe or two)
Mum, the Pâtissier
My mum’s journey began in college where she trained professionally as a patisserie chef. Over the years, she’s worked in countless kitchens, most recently as the in-house baker at a cosy community café in Southwold. Her love for baking never faded—she’s endlessly creative and deeply passionate, and she’s shared that love with all 10 of her children. While baking is more of a hobby now, she still has the skills to whip up the most intricate pastries imaginable. She even lends a hand with my cakes from time to time!
From Colleagues to Companions
When I moved to Lowestoft, I found myself in an office job—not the most exciting work, but it’s where I met Ben. He was one of those people who would help anyone at the drop of a hat. We started out as friends, but over time, he became much more.
I later left that job to pursue my dream of becoming a gymnastics coach, something I’d been passionate about since childhood. But not long after, I became very unwell. When my car needed an MOT and I had no one to help, Ben was the first person I thought of. True to form, he showed up without hesitation—and never really stopped showing up. He’s been by my side ever since.
Enter Ziggy 🐾
During one of my lowest points, Ben suggested I needed something to help get me up and moving each day. After hours of scrolling through kitten listings, we found her—a tiny 6-week-old calico. The next day, we brought her home, fully equipped with every luxury a kitten could dream of!
Naming her was the next challenge. I originally wanted to call her Miss Evangelista, inspired by my favourite Doctor Who episode, “Silence in the Library.” But we eventually settled on Ziggy, after David Bowie in my all-time favourite film, Labyrinth. She’s the perfect mix of cheeky and cuddly—and now she’s the heart of our little home.
