Juliet's passion for baking home-made cakes which are gluten, wheat and dairy free

You might know Juliet from her business Home-made cakes by Juliet via the variety of shows she attends or the numerous farmers markets where she sets up her stall throughout the county including Taunton Farmers Market.

This Somerset baker has been ‘in business for herself ’ for 28 years and in the last three years has branched out to produce cakes and scones which are gluten, wheat and dairy free.

The spark for becoming a baker started when she was taught how to make cakes by her grandmother and mother and this skill culminated when Juliet made her own 18th birthday cake.

By doing this she picked up at least six orders and turned what was a hobby into a part time concern but now she has turned it into her business.

To succeed in life you need to convey your passion through the goods you make to your customers and in this case it is cakes.

Juliet who comes from Maidenhead said: “My gran was a good baker as was my mum and this lead me getting my first ever job in a bakery.

“I used to be a chocolatier and made those chocolate hearts with chocolate in the centre.

“Then I went to college as I wanted to do art but could not and ended up taking catering.

“I did two years in the hotel industry and got my silver service.

“I was 16-years-old and decided I had enough of this and would go into business on my own.

“What I love about this job is the satisfaction I get from making cakes and from the smiles it put on people’s faces.

“I bake at least three times a week, I just love doing it.

“I do believe you have to put your passion into your work. You have to put love into what you are making otherwise there is no reason to do it.

“My mum and dad were not into baking in the same way I am but they have always supported me it whatever I wanted to do.

“I love doing what I do.

“There is no stress as I am my own boss and I am an independent person.

“There is a sense of satisfaction in knowing what I am doing means I do not have to answer to anyone.

“What do I get from cooking?

I get a sense of satisfaction as it give me a lot of joy in doing what I have done over the years and helped to make me a lot of friends.

“I am self taught when it comes to cooking and I really get a sense of achievement and satisfaction for baking.”

She joked her kitchen is probably the best room in her house, it is certainly the one room where she spends most of her time as during the week she bakes at least three times a week.

The idea for making gluten, wheat free and dairy free came from customers who have in increasing numbers been asking for them and also as Juliet is herself wheat intolerant.

Juliet explained a number of people were trying either gluten free, wheat free or diary free and coming back because they enjoyed the taste better than regular cakes On the list of cakes which Juliet makes and sells are: Pound loaf cake, Cherry and Almond, Lemon drizzle cake, Lavender cake which is made using local lavender, Coffee and walnut, Fruit cake with liquorice, Scones, Chocolate stars, Lemon delights which are made with Lemon curd and Lemon sponge, Ginger cookies and Ginger bombs. 

As well as creating these tasty cakes Juliet also makes cakes for weddings, special occasions (Such as Anniversaries, Christenings, Birthdays, children’s, novelty cakes and cupcakes.

All cakes are individually designed to suit the customers needs and requirements), themed cakes (Themed or novelty cakes e.g. motorcycles or vehicles, places, hobbies, or just something personal to the customer).

For her Christmas cakes (Juliet’s Christmas cakes are matured traditional fruit cakes, with homemade mixed orange / lemon peel, soaked in brandy.

Also you can choose gluten and wheat free, or Earl Grey, all beautifully decorated individually with hand crafted figures for novelty or traditional fruit and nut, coated with Cointreau brandy or rum glaze) and of course Juliet specialises in making gluten / wheat free and also dairy free.

All cakes are made with a choice of flavours ranging from carrot cake, chocolate, coffee, orange, lemon, coconut/passion fruit, Victoria sponge and ginger, all filled with butter cream and homemade jams, using local ingredients where possible You can find out more about Juliet and the cakes she makes online at homemadecakesbyjuliet.co.uk or Juliet Hayes on Facebook.