Page 21 - #182 June 2023

fter developing a love of cake making and decorating following
her first victory in a culinary competition at the age of 15 and Mich Turner with Edward Hobart CMG
Adecorating her first wedding cake at 17, Mich Turner went on His Majesty’s Ambassador to the UAE
to found Little Venice Cake Company, which prides itself on being at the
forefront of the industry, trailblazing, inspiring and setting the standards
for others to follow.
“Combining totally indulgent recipes using the finest ingredients, with
intricate hand craftsmanship, refined elegance and a professional service
we enjoy an unrivalled prestige, delivering a world-class service, creating
memories with every cake experience,” explains Turner. “Utilising my
30 years’ experience in the industry and as a consultant and speaker, I
am perfectly positioned to advise, design, create and deliver customised
solutions, working with strategic partners. The key is and always will be
unique, uncompromising quality.”
Having had a bespoke Studio in London for 15 years, the company
has now expanded overseas and diversified to provide solutions working
across the hospitality, retail and food service sector. This expansion
includes the launch of the Little Venice Cake Company Atelier within
Atlantis The Royal – the world’s most ultra-luxury experiential hotel.
Exquisitely designed by Jeffrey Beers, the Atelier captures every essence
of personality, quality, red carpet British glamour and a serene sophistication.
Featuring high ceilings, dressed with marble, glass and natural woods, the
space includes a stunning show kitchen where guests can enjoy the theatre
of cake artists in action or attend one of the special masterclasses on offer.
There is also a retail area that serves a selection of fresh baked goods and
a carefully curated collection of homewares that are all exclusive to Dubai.
“The jewel in the crown is our Royal Design Room – where guests
meet to taste and design the cake of their dreams and from where they
can browse through a collection of Royal photographs, certificates and
memorabilia from my career on our Royal Wall of Fame. They are also
invited to sign our guest book,” explains Turner.
“Having created the blueprint with our Atelier in Dubai, we now
have the proof of concept. While it has taken six years to develop this
concept, our plan now is to expand with carefully selected partners to
customise solutions and explore other international territories.”
Marking the Coronation of King Charles III recently, Little Venice Cake
Company Dubai was delighted to be involved in the double celebration
of Their Majesties Coronation celebrations in the Middle East. Cakes
were designed and created for both British Embassy events in Abu
Dhabi and Dubai and each one told a story to create a memory. To
construct these most special cakes, hand painting, hand piping and hand
moulding techniques were used.
In keeping with The King’s farming traditions and love of the land, they
served a selection of Carrot Cake, Strawberry Royale Cake and Coronation
Date Cake. Having been presented at the celebrations, the show cakes are
back at the hotel and on display in the Atelier for guests to view.
With her team of pastry chefs, Mich creates mouth-watering seasonal
collections including delicious treats for Ramadan, with a focus on pistachio,
date and rose. With the health conscious in mind they have also developed
a range of gluten free and sugar free cakes that can be especially requested.
Another specialty cake they created was their Feast of Dreams cake, which
was designed and constructed especially for the grand reveal of Atlantis The
Royal. The cake stood five feet tall, four feet wide and comprised seven tiers
representing the sea, sand and sun; with hand moulded sugar decorations
of birds, roses, leaves, water pearls, flames and hand painted butterflies
to represent the four elements of earth, water, fire and air – which is
synonymous with the property. It took a team of four pastry chefs a full
month of 2,000 hours, working on each element by hand.
As the company approaches its 25th anniversary, Turner reflects on this
by saying they have made so many wonderful cakes, for many wonderful
people, at wonderful venues to celebrate wonderful occasions.
“We are honoured to have played a small part in telling their stories and
creating their memories. During this time I have written seven internationally
published books and taught and inspired thousands of people around the
world. We will be sure to be celebrating – as well as reflecting on what we
have achieved and where the next 25 years will take us.”
As our time with Mich begins to near its end, we ask her what lies ahead
and what she perceives to be the greatest challenge facing both her and the
company as a whole?
“The greatest challenge will be having enough hours in the day as we
work on the fantastic opportunities we have in motion for further global
expansion. Thankfully I have a wonderfully supportive family. My husband
has recently joined the company as COO having spent 30 years in the
financial markets and together we have the passion, business acumen and
the vision to scale great new heights and we are excited to make Little Feast of Dreams
Venice Cake Company a global brand.”