Lifestyle
Beth Lauren, Cake Artist at The Cake Boutique by Waldorf Astoria DIFC on what it takes to create signature cakes with an attention to detail approach.
Talk us through your career.
I started baking at a young age with my mum, I always loved food because it’s something that brought everyone together in my home. I studied fashion design and illustration at university and opened my cake business at the age of 20. I grew the business from my mum’s kitchen in my hometown until we were so busy, I had to move into retail space, I opened two stores side by side at the age of 26, one cake artist kitchen and one coffee parlour where guests could enjoy the cakes and afternoon teas.
What makes The Cake Boutique by Waldorf Astoria DIFC different from other bakeries in the region?
For me The Cake Boutique by Waldorf Astoria DIFC is a passion project, what we do at the Cake Boutique is deliver the best quality ingredients and flavours in the best quality packaging, married with perfect aesthetics and options such as gluten-free, vegan and sugar-free, we tick all of the boxes for a dream cake experience.
You combine craftsmanship and complexity into original cake design – talk us through the creative process.
I would describe myself as an artist at heart, getting to be creative with food is a beautiful opportunity to be as openly creative as possible because there are no rules or limits. When it comes to designing a cake, there are so many ways to find in- spiration; online, in fashion, architecture or from the client, the world is my oyster. Once I have the creative ideas flowing, I make an illustration for the client to see their wedding cake before my team and I bring it to life.
What’s the most unique design you’ve created for a client?
The best thing about cake design is that every creation is a unique piece of art. I rarely make the same design twice be- cause it can be so personalised to the client’s needs. Some of the most unique designs include a spherical wedding cake, a life-size motorbike and a giant cake shaped like a bar of toffee being smashed with a hammer.
How would you best describe your decorating style and what are your signature collections?
My style is elegant with a twist, I like my designs to be beautiful and clean but also to tell a story of why they came to life. The signature collection I have created for The Cake Boutique is a range of perfectly designed ‘off the shelf ’ style cakes, each featuring chocolate work, fresh fruits and/or edible gold. These cakes are beautiful, look luxurious and are made with the best quality ingredients; but also offer a more budget-friendly, last-minute option for guests.
You consult each client to take them through the sketch and tasting process, was this the plan at the outset?
Something I have always done from day one as a Cake Artist takes the time to get to know my clients. Part of the cake-making joy is that you play a role in creating a happy memory for your guest and I do that by listening to their requirements and vision for their cake design. A designer cake isn’t just for show, so although I perfect the aesthetics with an illustration, it’s important for me as a chef to have a cake tasting as part of the process, this helps me understand better what my client is looking for and what their preferred tastes are.
What cake trends should we leave behind and which new ones should we be embracing?
I love a cake trend because there are so many different creative options, I think for me overflowing sugar flowers on a wedding cake will be a classic trend I will never fall out of love with. Lustre dusts, piping and shimmer will forever be beautiful. As an artist it can be fun to try new techniques, currently, I’m enjoying wafer paper and textures in fondant. Cartoon cakes are extra fun, but I think it will be a short-lived trend for the cake world.
Your designs are one-of-a-kind featuring digitally sketched illustrations – tell us more.
As well as the signature line of cakes we have at The Cake Boutique BY Waldorf Astoria DIFC, I created a designer line of cakes that features digitally drawn illustrations or hand-modelled characters that are unique to Waldorf Astoria DIFC. Some of these drawings feature a sleepy sloth, mermaids and children’s characters. I love featuring original artwork on my cakes like this because it brings an added personality and be- spoke element to the designs. My personal favourite is Walter the Waldorf teddy bear, he features on my baby shower cake design.
This is The Style Issue – what’s your personal style when it comes to cake artistry?
As a person, I’m quite a free spirit and a hopeless romantic so this often flows into my cake designs. I love fresh flowers and soft textures paired with pastels or metallic. I will always enjoy embracing my inner child, so I love designing cute and fun cakes for children, as with every design I like to keep it with a touch of elegance.
