Where do you live and why?
I first lived in Arundel Gardens and gradually moved further north and now live between Ladbroke Grove and Wood Lane. I can be in Portobello Road in 10 minutes, which is comfortably off the beaten track. I am lucky enough to have a communal garden that makes you feel like you live in the countryside when you step out of the back door. Due to the garden we know most of our neighbours. We have the best local shop, which is a Costcutter on North Pole Road, run by a lovely lady called Asme. There is a very strong sense of community around here. And since Westfield opened we have everything we need within a 10-minute walk from our front door.
How long have you lived in the area?
I have lived in Notting Hill for 16 years, since I moved from Norfolk.
Where is your favourite restaurant in the area?
Osteria Basilico [29 Kensington Park Road, W11] is my absolute favourite restaurant in the area. The food is always superb and the atmosphere is of an authentic, Italian, family-run, neighborhood restaurant, which is exactly what it is. My favourite dish is the chargrilled steak; I have it with buttered spinach and mashed potato. I always want to be more adventurous with the menu but it keeps me coming back every time.
Do you have a favourite stall on Portobello Road?
My favourite stall on the market is Frannie B who is best known for her painted coats, one of which was worn by Carrie in Sex and the City. But she has all kinds of brilliant accessories and clothes that she customises with her original paintings. I treasure a fur-lined evening bag with a geisha on it that I bought from her years ago.
Have you always been brilliant at baking?
I have always loved baking which I suppose is why I am good at it. I started baking cupcakes when I was six and haven’t stopped since.
What is your all time favourite cupcake flavour?
It is difficult to chose a favourite cupcake as I keep discovering new ones! At the moment I am absolutely in love with the sticky toffee cupcakes. I eat them hot with ice-cream as a dessert.
What did you want to be when you were younger?
I have always wanted to act, write and present. All of which I am now doing in some form or another.
Who inspires you?
Gayle Coleman is a Buddhist leader in this area. She is someone that I have always been able to talk to and go to for guidance regarding every aspect of my life and has been an incredible inspiration. Her best advice was to take a leap of faith and trust your life to support it, along with plenty of chanting. My mum has always been a great inspiration to me with her ability to make delicious food with very little money and she has the best taste in clothes, interiors etc and is an amazing dressmaker. So quite a lot to live up to!
Apart from your own, which cookbook do you rely on the most?
My favourite recipe book is Falling Cloudberries by Tessa Kirov. It is a beautiful book of her family recipes interspersed with family pictures and memories. It is a book that I will happily just lie on the sofa and look at but when I am feeling motivated the recipes are delicious, everyday, family fare.
What are the best things about your job?
The best thing about my job is that it allows me to be creative. It is also brilliant to see how happy people are when they finish one of my classes or hen dos. It is great to be in a business that people get so much pleasure from and encourages people to express themselves creatively. I love the fact that every day is different whether I am researching for the recipe book, testing recipes, giving classes or demonstrations, having meetings about future projects or even giving interviews and doing photo shoots! It is also great to be my own boss.
What is your number one tip for perfect baking?
When you are learning to bake don’t put yourself under pressure by doing it to impress someone. Bake for the pleasure of it and you stand a much better chance of having a successful result. Always start with softened butter,;either leave it out of the fridge for a few hours before you need it or if it is a last minute cake pop it in the microwave for 10-second bursts until it is soft.
How would you spend your perfect Sunday?
My perfect Sunday would begin with a leisurely breakfast in bed with The Sunday Times and fresh croissants with butter and apricot jam. Lunch would be dim sum at Royal China [13 Queensway, W2] with family. I would then mooch around Portobello Market before heading to gorgeous gift shop Verandah [15b Blenheim Crescent, W11] where I would treat myself to a scented candle and perhaps a dress. I would then rather decadently finish with a delicious roast at Paradise by Way of Kensal Green [19 Kilburn Lane, W10] with some close friends.
What is your philosophy on life?
Do what you love doing and you will always be prepared to work that much harder. The less you think about yourself and the more focus you put on what you can do for other people the better your life gets.
What’s next for you?
I have just started work on my second recipe book. I am also working with a production company who are developing a TV show with me. On the business side, we are launching a corporate side to the cupcake decorating classes and events, which are already hugely popular with hens dos and for baby showers. And we have been approached by a company that wants us to do a Cookie Girl homeware range.
