A FORMER Tavistock College history teacher turned sugar artist has received a prestigious cake decorating award, less than two years after starting up her own business.

In the past 12 months, self-taught sugar artist Lucia Gallie, has won bronze, silver and gold in subsequent international baking competitions – her latest achievement was a gold medal for her secret garden themed wedding cake at Cake International, Birmingham NEC, the largest cake and sugarcraft competition ever held in the UK.

Lucia was restricted to bed rest while unwell during pregnancy and decided to take the opportunity to learn a new skill.

Her cake career began after she decided not to return to teaching from her maternity leave and instead set up White Rose Bakery.

She said: ‘I became hooked on sugar craft and cake decoration and decided not to go back to teaching – that was nearly two years ago!’

Lucia had only intended to make cakes part time, due to having young children to look after but quickly discovered a passion for cake decoration and baking.

She added: ‘I’ve been completely inundated with orders and really busy. The wedding season this year was mad and I’m almost fully booked for next year. I have had lots of orders and it’s horrible to turn people away but I don’t have the capability at the moment.

‘I entered Cake International last year, which is the largest cake decorating competition in the country – it attracts people from all over the world. I also entered London Cake International and won silver.

‘I like to use competitions to learn new techniques and push myself. It is easy to stick within your comfort zone so during competitions I force myself to try something new.

‘I have loved making all my Cake International entries and I also love making children’s birthday cakes. My son always asks for cool things! Last year I made a sunken pirate ship with a treasure chest and lots of gold. I also made a carousel cake for my daughter on a turning table, so it was actually able to spin. I enjoy making wedding cakes too but they are a little more elegant and refined!

‘I am hoping to enter again next year but the competition falls two weeks before the London marathon which I am going to be running so I will have to wait and see if I have enough time.’

Interestingly one of the other gold winners in Cake International created a lifesize statue of Prince George which was seen all over the news last week.