A talented baker whose incredible \u201cPirates of the Caribbean\u201d cake scooped gold has set her sights on more success after investing in a new studio.<\/p>\n
Award-winning cake designer Helen Searle-Jones, from Hope, in Flintshire, wowed judges at last year\u2019s Cake International with her epic sea monster scene, showing a huge Kraken dragging Captain Jack Sparrrow\u2019s Black Pearl pirate ship beneath the waves.<\/p>\n
Now the mum-of-three, who runs Searle Jones Cake Design, is returning to the world\u2019s biggest cake design competition at the NEC in Birmingham \u2013 this time not just to compete but also to take centre stage as a demonstrator.<\/p>\n
Helen\u2019s chances have been boosted by the tailor-made studio she had installed by Rubicon Garden Rooms which she now uses as her creative kitchen, teaching space and cake design hub.<\/p>\n
The bespoke building, created by the company based on the Cheshire-North Wales border in Penyffordd, has transformed her business, allowing Helen to craft ever more ambitious edible masterpieces \u2013 from dragons and racing cars to lifelike dogs and luxury wedding cakes.<\/p>\n
According to Helen, the new studio has been a \u201ctotal game-changer\u201d, giving her the space to dream big and design spectacular showpieces that have helped turn her lifelong passion into a thriving full-time career.<\/p>\n
She launched the business on a full-time basis earlier this year following a 30-year career in the IT industry, she said she needed a bespoke studio to turn her dream into a reality.<\/p>\n
Helen said: \u201cIt\u2019s lovely to have my own studio now, it\u2019s been a big bonus to the business, it has been a total game-changer.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s good to take the business out of the family kitchen and have the studio in the garden.<\/p>\n
\u201cWorking in the family kitchen was limiting, and now I can do bigger things.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe single-room studio, with kitchen, work area and table, is exactly what I needed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s space to run classes in here, bring clients in here, make and design the cakes, everything is done in here.<\/p>\n
\u201cRubicon built it and then my husband Andrew and I put in the kitchen and all the appliances.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat really attracted us to Rubicon was the quality of service, that was off-the-chart to be honest, it was so good.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe looked around at other businesses and after meeting Rubicon we felt they were the ones we could trust the most.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom the day they arrived on site until the day they left, they were very professional.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Rubicon team were lovely, all I had to do was make them coffee – and feed them some cake occasionally.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rubicon Garden Rooms founder and managing director John Lyon said he found it hugely satisfying to know the buildings his firm were creating were supporting small businesses and allowing people to follow their dreams.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cIt gives me a buzz to know that what we do, and I have had it often said to me, can change people\u2019s lives.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat can be somebody like Helen who can now run her business the way she wants to, or that can be somebody who is ill and just wants a nice place to sit in and enjoy their garden, or somebody who wants a granny annexe built to be close to family members.<\/p>\n
\u201cRenting premises for example is really expensive, so having their business premises so close by and so accessible can be a real bonus to many small business owners.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is wonderful to know we are supporting small businesses and their owners to achieve their dreams.\u201d<\/p>\n
Helen says she\u2019s thrilled and honoured to have been asked to put on demonstrations at this year\u2019s Cake International from October 31 to November 2 where she will also be competing in the wedding cake category.<\/p>\n
She has also been shortlisted as a finalist in the North Wales Wedding Awards in the best cake designer category.<\/p>\n
That competition takes place at Venue Cymru in Llandudno on November 9.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cThat\u2019ll be really exciting, and a wonderful celebration, something I am really looking forward to.\u201d<\/p>\n