6 sweet reasons to order a Judith Bond Cake
Happy January and welcome to my first blog of the New Year on my brand new website. It’s all very exciting!
For my first blog I wanted to remind you of six great reasons that I’d love you to order one of my cakes.
It will give me a chance to share some things that you might not know about me, how I run my business and how your special cake would be made. At the same time, it’ll remind me how far I’ve come and how proud I am of the little business I’ve created.
So here are six reasons why your next cake order should be with me.
1. We have a brand-new website to inspire you and answer all your questions.
It’s been 8 years since my first website launched and I couldn’t be more excited about this shiny new upgrade.
Chloe (my web designer) has made the design look so beautiful, and I’ve worked really hard on the content and images. It’s so gorgeous and I hope you’ll love it too.
You’ll find my very latest cake projects in the cake gallery; you’ll find a bunch of useful information for ordering and a contact page where you can drop me a message.
I’ll be writing regular cake blogs with updates on my latest creations and sharing tips and tricks for baking at home. So have a good look round and let me know what you think.
2. We’ve had a top notch 5* hygiene rating for 10 years.
Food Hygiene really matters.
When the Food Inspector visited my kitchen for my first inspection, I was nervous, but very well prepared. Probably over prepared. So, my consistent 5* rating over 10 years is one of things I’m most proud of.
The Food Standards Agency recognise cleanliness, management and the suitability of your kitchen and I have a sparkling review on all 3 areas. The Inspector gave me a little piece of advice as he was leaving – “never eat anywhere that’s less than a hygiene 4”. And I never have!
Remember that if you order a cake without a hygiene rating, or with a low one, there’s no guarantee about the cleanliness of the kitchen, the freshness of the ingredients, the hygiene of the staff. You’re taking a risk with your money and with your cake-eating guests.
3. We’re registered and insured in all the right places.
When I started the business, first on my list was setting things up properly. I wanted to build a business reputation based on professionalism and safety.
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
I registered my home kitchen as a food business with our Local Authority as this is a legal requirement. It also gives access to business training, grant support and a hygiene inspection.
Did I mention we have a 5* hygiene rating?
I enrolled on a CIEH (Chartered Institute of Environmental Health) Food Safety course – the industry standard qualification for Food Safety & Hygiene in Catering and have continually refreshed this important qualification.
Public Liability Insurance ensures we are covered for any accidental damage at home or delivering to the venue.
I registered with HMRC as self employed which is a legal requirement even for part time businesses. I submit my books to the accountant every January for self-assessment because I am good with flour and eggs, but terrible with numbers.
I provide information related to the 14 legal allergens to my clients on the website and at the point of delivery and I update my food allergen training regularly.
4. We’ll bake your cake fresh to order and personalise your decoration.
Nothing is frozen or out of a box in this kitchen! Every cake is baked from scratch freshly to order using good quality ingredients. That’s why we need a good amount of notice to make your cake.
Day 1 is baking and cooling, day 2/3 is buttercream icing, refrigeration and covering and day 4 is decorating and finishing. 3 days is possible, 4 days is ideal.
So, with bookings for months ahead, you’ll need to give me as much notice as possible.
Your cake will be truly unique. I sometimes get asked to make a personalised version of a previous design, but they are never the same. I will listen carefully to your ideas for colours and tones, design features and the cake message and make you something that is “just for you” and never to be repeated.
5. We have 10 years’ experience with celebration cakes and weddings.
Did you know we’ve been baking cakes and cupcakes since 2014?
I’d just left my office job on health grounds wondering what I would do next, and my lovely friend Brenda asked me to make her wedding cake. I took a very deep breath, headed to YouTube to find out “how?” and embarked on a 4-tier stacked cake with cascading red roses.
It was a friendly crowd, everyone loved it and soon after that – Judith Bond Cakes was born.
Since 2014 I’ve thrown myself into the business and acquired baking, decoration and business skills that have enabled me to build my lovely brand. I’ve gained a Diploma in Cake Decorating, attended Masterclasses, taken courses in marketing, photography and accounting. I’m a firm believer in continuous learning as the world is constantly changing.
Building my brand has been hard work but so much fun.
6. You’ll be supporting a local small business that really needs you.
It’s true when they say it’s the small businesses that make the world go round.
At the start of 2023 there were 5.6 million small businesses in the UK which is 99.9% of the business population, 3/5 of employment and half of turnover in the UK private sector. (Source FSB) Isn’t that staggering?
When you buy from a small business like me - you are not only getting a unique, handcrafted cake – but you are helping to support a world where things made with love and care are valued.
Who’d want an ultra-processed bland box cake full of additives plopped into a tin by a machine and iced by a robot. Then sold by a multinational brand whose doesn’t care about you, and your money goes straight to already rich distant shareholders. Supermarkets might be needed for some of your shopping, but certainly not your special occasion cake.
So, when you buy from this small business, it’s me who does a happy dance. I promise that I will deeply care about your order, I will know and remember your name, I will offer you the best price, and 63p of every £1 you spend will stay in my local community. You’ll deal directly with me, and you’ll receive the best customer care throughout the process.
There’s lots more I could tell you about my business but hopefully this blog gives you a little flavour of how much it means to me, how much of my heart I’ve put into every single cake and how much I’d really love you to order your next cake from me. I promise you’ll love it.
That’s all for now.