Supplier Stories - Industry Insights From Wedding Cake Designer, Blushing Cook.

Introducing Supplier Stories!

Supplier Stories is an original Bridebook Business article series, which will go behind-the-scenes and into the wedding world through those that know it best – the experienced and talented venues and suppliers across the UK.

Whether the ‘story’ is that of a venue owner, photographer, cake designer or anyone who is involved in the big day, we strive to recognise the devotion and skill that goes into piecing together one of the most memorable days in 2 people’s lives. These Supplier Stories will take a look into the individual’s experience and the industry as a whole, as well as a true story in itself that is most definitely worth celebrating.

Blushing Cook’s Story:

This week we’re shining the spotlight on Blushing Cook Sammi-Jo Gascoyne. A true artist, Sammi combines outstanding and contemporary baking skills with stunning decoration, using fresh flowers to make natural, delicate and eye-popping wedding cakes. After working for Michelin star chefs and award-winning bespoke cake companies, Sammi is now embracing her own vision and is definitely one to watch! So without further ado, over to Sammi!

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself!

I am obsessed with anything floral. Floral prints, flower markets, growing flowers on my balcony and my flowery Doc Martens which I wear everywhere. I love cooking, simple delicious food and finding new places to sample other people’s hard work and talents.

I am also a huge Sausage Dog fan! Being a cake maker makes that hard to have one, but my family have 7 so I sneak back there for cuddles!

2. Share your story? How did you get to where you are today?

I was always very creative. When I left school I was offered a place at university to study Fine Art and suddenly realised that as much as I loved art, I loved food and I wanted to cook. I started working as a pastry chef and after a few years, I went to train at Le Cordon Bleu Cookery School. I have worked for various cake companies, including Peggy Porschen. I set up Blushing Cook last year as a new venture with the intention to create natural, delicious and beautifully decorated cakes, combining all the skills I had learnt through the duration of my training as well as my love for botany.

3. What drew you to the wedding world?

For myself, the most important element of cooking anything is bringing happiness to other people, however momentary it is. I love the idea that I am responsible for probably the most important cake of two people’s lives. I still feel the same adrenaline delivering a cake now that I did on my first delivery.

4. What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve attended?

I went to a beautiful wedding in Tuscany last year. Two school friends got married there and the views were spectacular, the food delicious and the Negronis flowing. They were childhood sweethearts and I don’t think there was a dry eye in the room through the speeches. I made them some wedding favour biscuits with edible flowers as their wedding gift as I couldn’t get a cake to Tuscany that easily, so it was lovely to be a part of it somehow.

5. What’s your favourite wedding memory?

Running across a room full of people stopping my friends from toppling their cake over after trying to slice it with a sword very precariously, looking completely bonkers myself!

6. What do you see as the biggest challenge in the wedding industry currently?

I think that traditions are changing and people are very often funding their own weddings. They don’t want to spend fortunes on an unnecessary thing, so I try my hardest to make my cakes affordable as I can without compromising the quality, as I am very particular about my work (which is usually why I am awake at 2am decorating cakes!).

7. What trends are you seeing in the industry?

People are definitely favouring a more natural approach to cakes. I use Italian Meringue Buttercream instead of the traditional fondant or Royal Icing and people seem to love it. I also use fresh flowers and my clients are more than happy to have these as opposed to the traditional sugar ones.

8. How do you feel technology is changing the industry?

People know what they want! Pinterest boards and screen shots are so helpful to me when a couple are describing what they want. It’s an amazing platform for advertising and you can plan your wedding on your commute to work – it’s fantastic.

9. What do you think makes Blushing Cook unique?

For myself, the taste of the cake is just as important as how it looks. I have had so many people comment that they didn’t normally like cake, but they loved mine. I try not to make it too sweet and always moist and fluffy. My approach to my relationship with clients is to imagine I was ordering a cake. I want them to trust me and my product. I love meeting new people, often we get distracted from cake discussions and end up discussing their new puppy or something silly. I stay in contact with lots of my clients and I love to hear that they were happy with their cake.

10. What do you think makes for the perfect wedding?

Fun and laughter! You can have the most amazing setting but the most important factor for myself is that everyone feels relaxed and enjoys themselves …. and delicious CAKE of course!

11. What do you love about Bridebook?

I think Bridebook is fantastic. It’s so easy to use and such a great way for people to find exactly what they are looking for. It’s always one step ahead with their knowledge of suppliers and if I was planning a wedding it would be the first place I would look for everything and anything, which is the beauty of it – it covers everything!

A huge thank you to Sammi for sharing her supplier story. Check out Sammi’s beautiful Blushing Cook’s cake designs in her Bridebook profile.

Want to feature in your own Supplier Story? Get in touch with Beth at [email protected].