Where do you live?
I have been living in Paddington since 2007. It’s a lovely, quiet area with good transport links into central London and work.
Why did you choose Portobello to open your first bakery?
I thought Notting Hill would be a good location for The Hummingbird Bakery because it had a good combination of affluent residents, tourists and a certain quirkiness. I also took into consideration that the market on Portobello Road would bring in guaranteed footfall on certain days of the week. In hindsight, it was the perfect location for the first shop as word-of-mouth spread quickly between locals, visitors and celebrities.
Vogue said that, ‘owning a cupcake bakery is the career fantasy of our times’. What’s the reality like, especially as you have several stores plus your second book out?
I’m very grateful for the success of my business, although it has never been an easy experience. The reality is years of 60-hour working weeks, a lot of stress and a few tears. Nowadays (after seven and a half years) I’m lucky enough to have a great senior management team, which means I have a lot more free time and less stress.
What or who inspired your love of baking?
I’m more about the eating, rather than the baking. There are several people that sparked my love of American baking; my father’s American aunt, visiting my own aunt in North Carolina and a very dear family friend who was like a second mother to my sister and me, who sadly passed away a few days before my first shop opened in 2004.
What do you think sparked the craze for cupcakes?
In the UK, it was a combination of factors. The Hummingbird Bakery opened a few months before the craze started, so I definitely feel we had a part to play in the subsequent popularity. Also, as the popularity of cupcakes increased in the USA, news of that filtered through over here… And we were lucky enough to take advantage of that.
What has been your most memorable west London meal?
My favourite restaurant in London is Chisou Japanese Restaurant. The original branch is off Hanover Square, W1, but there’s a beautiful new branch in Beauchamp Place, SW3. It has the best authentic Japanese food in London – I’m kind of obsessed with Japanese food and have travelled to Japan five times.
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
Just my closest friends. There aren’t really any celebrities or historical figures that could compete with a good giggle with my best friends.
What was the last show you saw?
I’m more of a social person. I prefer hanging out with friends, having a laugh, some drinks and a good dance.
What are you currently reading?
Since starting Hummingbird, I rarely have time to read anymore.
How do you relax?
I unwind in various ways… Watching something funny on TV, being with my friends, listening to music, meditating and even walking through London’s beautiful streets.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
A late-night packet of Monster Munch and bag of Haribo sweets on the weekends.
And your fave sweet treat?
A slice of leftover Mississippi Mud Pie or Key Lime Pie from Hummingbird Bakery… That was my reward after a long shift on a Saturday at Portobello Road in the early days.
What’s the most romantic thing you’ve done?
Cooking complicated Lebanese recipes for my loved ones.
What’s next?
We’re opening the fourth shop in Spitalfields at the end of this month, expanding to the Middle East at the end of this year and hopefully opening a few more shops in the UK (outside London) next year.
