Baked to Perfection
Mich Turner MBE founded Little Venice Cake Company 24 years ago having qualified as a Food Scientist and after working as a Bakery and Patisserie Buyer at Harvey Nichols. In this interview, we spend some time with the award-winning entrepreneur as we speak about the history of the business, how it continues to deliver a world-class service and what continues to motivate her.
After developing a love of cake making and decorating following her first victory in a culinary competition at the age of 15 and decorating her first wedding cake at 17, Mich Turner went on 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.
His Majesty’s Ambassador to the UAE
“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 Venice Cake Company a global brand.”
