Cake Club Bakers Dozen...An interview with Shereen

Its time for the third Bakers Dozen guest to join us and this month its the turn of the brilliant Shereen of Shereens Cakes and Bakes. If you are not aware of Shereen (where have you been) then we promise you won't be disappointed when you visit her Facebook page! We have been showcasing Shereens creations on our Facebook page but this is our opportunity to tell you even more about this lovely lady!

Shereen doesn't just make gorgeous cakes, cupcakes and giant cupcakes, she also shares her knowledge so you can make your own versions as well! With an online tutorials shop, a book and numerous free tutorials available via her Facebook shop plus one to one classes, Shereen really is becoming a bit of a guru for those wanting to become cake decorators or expand their existing skills.

The Cake Club admins all follow Shereen avidly and love her creations so we were delighted when she agreed to an interview and a live Q&A on our Facebook page (join us 7-8pm June 13th to ask your questions). Keep reading for a little insight into the world of Shereens Cakes and Bakes...



What made you decide to enter the world of cake making?
It happened 'by accident' and just grew faster than I could think about it really, it was just a natural progression.

What did you do before Shereens Cakes and Bakes?
Worked in hotels on reception for a few years and just day to day admin jobs.

Who and what inspires you?
Bella cupcakes inspires me and everything pretty inspires me from kids clothes to greetings cards, as long as it's pretty

How do you respond to negativity on your page?
I try and ignore as much as possible, obvious troll comments I ban and delete. I try not to let others bring me down, I am human behind my business page and I just won't put up with it, delete and move on.

What was the hardest part about setting up your own business?
Actually making the decision to do it ... would I get orders? Would I make enough money to stay home with kids and being pregnant in my first year of working for myself and then doing a wedding cake 2 weeks after having a baby, hardest time ever.

Do you bake and decorate by your self or do you let anyone help?
All by myself

Are there any parts of cake making that you wish you didn't have to do?
Lining pans, baking (hubby does a lot of it) ... and cleaning up!




If you could make only one of your cakes again which one would it be?
The blue 3 tier wedding cake with pink roses and yellow and and white flowers, I loved that cake and finally felt like I had reached something 'new' with my cakes

If you could make a cake for anyone who would it be?
My dad, I was too ill to make his 60th Birthday cake this year and had such an amazing idea and i am gutted I couldn't make it ... so I still really want to treat him to a novelty cake that is totally 'him'

If you could only follow one FB cakey page which one would you choose?
Victorious Cupcakes, she shares amazing creations by herself and by others and is always so kind.




Have you enjoyed making your book "party cupcakes" and if you decide to do more what theme do you think the book will have this time?
I thoroughly enjoyed doing my book. I would love to do a big cakes book with lots of little details that you usually see on my cakes.

And finally, what would be your biggest tip to help any bakers out there still learning?
Be patient, if you are frustrated, walk away and breathe. Also try and teach yourself as much as you can yourself, trial and error is the best learning tool, it helps creativity. Don't take on cakes that don't interest you, you won't enjoy making it. I do not do vehicle shaped cakes, they make me get very stressed out and suck the fun and love out of decorating for me.

You can follow Shereen on Facebook by visiting https://www.facebook.com/shereenscakesandbakesstevenage

From all of us at Cake Club we send a MASSIVE thank you to Shereen for allowing us to get a bit more of an insight into life at Shereens Cakes and Bakes and we are looking forward to the Q&A tonight too!  Welcome to the Bakers Dozen Shereen!