Where it all began
Tues 13 March, 2020
The first time we met. One of us in a meeting room and one of us on Zoom, our first ever zoom meeting, what a novelty! We has been invited to the very first ‘Covid Task Force Meeting’, facilitated by Visit Cornwall to help navigate the hospitality sector through the storm that was about to hit.
From 23 March, 2020 we met daily for over a year on zoom. A group of some of best hospitality minds in the county, even the country, coming together to address a horrific tidal wave none of us had ever experienced or are likely to again
One day Louise disappeared from the calls. On returning she apologised - she had been off to move. That move was to Boscundle Manor. One mile from my house. I sent Louise a message saying I would normally bring a new neighbour a gift of a cake. She asked what I would have made….and there it is. We haven’t stopped talking since.
Before I tell you the rest of our story, a pause is warranted to value those meetings. Firstly the Covid Task Force helped business change, adapt and prepare for each thing that was thrown at us on a daily basis. Secondly, it gave all of us an outlet to laugh, cry, plan and plot. You cannot underestimate the huge emotional drain it was on all of us managing our staff’s moral and mental health, scared they had no job, and if they did have a job what would things be like, balancing the massive refunds and rebookings, and hardest of all manging our guests, many of whom were and are like friends having stayed with us for years.
Over the coming months in and out of lockdowns; Louise opening her new hotel whilst also continuing as Resort Director in Falmouth and me, running our holiday park, we became firm friends. In the winter we ‘bubbled’ together and mourning both our families we spent much time over the festive period together making 20 zillion baubles (a whole blog in its’s own right).
Early 2020, we both knew we wanted more. Covid had taught us so much about grabbing each moment, doing what you love with those you love - yet frustratingly we were still where it started back in 2019.
And so a seed was born - a drive to do what we love. Talk of a cake shop, a cakery, a baking paradise, showcasing everything we love in one place began and has never stopped.
We are both very similar and very stubborn. This idea was one we could not get rid of. It grew and grew. A chance conversation led to Carlyon Bay Beach where we were offered a pitch then the next day we accidently ended up a shed yard. We thought the man was going to say no, it couldn’t happen. But he said yes, yes he would custom build us our very own ‘Cake Shed’ and he could do it in 6 weeks, in time for April opening!
Giddy with excitement we jumped on a rollercoaster we are yet to get off.
One thing we will never forget was when we were baking hard, practising every single thing to make sure it tasted perfect, but no one knew why, the shed was still our secret a supplier said to us.
No one will ever make money selling cream teas on a beach. Who wants cake on a beach?