She gave me an unbelievable surprise when she had fit in all the details I requested for into the ‘Chocolate Chip Flavored Hippo in the Bathtub’ cake.

 

 

 

 

  

She firmly believes that every bit of a cake or dessert should be presented as an edible masterpiece taken to a whole new level. Using her customer’s idea concocted with her creativity, each of her delicious confections are a study of good taste. Delicious, Beautiful and Creative all rounded up to a cake truly Heavenly, just like the name suggested. Heaven Sakes Cakes.

 

She has a journey most girls would find themselves in at some point. Let’s hear all about it.

 

 

 

                                                            Diana Gray

 

 

 

What was your background before baking?

 

I was a flight attendant for a leading airline in the middle-east before all this began. I was never in to baking and never thought in my life that I would bake a cake. However, I’d never forget to check out cake or pastry shops in every country I visited. I was amazed at the effort and skill put in to it , how colourful they looked and how fantastic they tasted.

 

 

What was your inspiration to baking?

 

In most cases, a person’s inspiration draws from someone close to them. Maybe a family member or friend. In my case it's a bit different. I drew inspiration from the culinary goddess "Nigella Lawson". She made cooking and especially baking look so simple with her easy to follow instructions and easy to find ingredients. I bought all her cook books and tried number of recipes which were fabulous..

 

 

 

 

Is it a hobby or did you want to take it up professionally?

 

It was just a hobby indeed. When I came down to Sri Lanka I took up a basic cake class because I was bored and my intention solely was for personal use.  I had no clue on how to bake a cake  but when i attempted to try out a recipe all I did was burn them.

 

I had a fabulous teacher (Ms. Dushanthi Madanayake) who taught me the must knows and the basics of cake making. She saw the best in me and encouraged me to take it up professionally but I was still skeptical. I made a couple of cakes for my family and friends just to have an opinion on the taste. Once they tasted my cakes they said to me that it tasted fabulous and that I should give it a thought to take it up professionally.

 

 

 

 

Introducing heaven's sakes cakes- the name?

 

My husband Jonathan suggested this name. It's catchy and I love it. We went through a lot of names and there were some we did not like and some were already taken. Finally we decided on the name and a logo to suit it.

 

 

 

 

Why are you different from other cake makers?

 

1. Every single cake or dessert is done by me and me alone

 

2. I don't overload myself with orders that will compromise the quality of the product

 

3. While most cake makers put an extra effort in to the appearance of the product,my effort goes in to making the final product taste fabulous at all times.

 

4. My desserts and cakes are not ridiculously  overpriced.

 

 

 

 

 

Do you have any special items that you like people to try?

 

Every single one of my cakes and desserts are special because they taste fabulous. However if you are a diet conscious person then you should try my chocolate mousse. It's low calorie dessert and tastes exactly how a chocolate mousse should taste.

 

 

 

 

Your cakes are detailed and precise. What's your secret?

 

I am very conscious when it comes down to the extra details of a cake. When I undertake an order I try to think of various ways to make it look and taste good. While I try to stick to the requests made by clients try to go that extra mile to suggest more creative ideas without offending them.

 

And in most cases they love my ideas. Sometimes I don't even charge clients for the extra detailing. And I don't stop until I have what I want the way it's supposed to be.

 

 

 

 

What type of cakes and desserts do you make?

 

Cakes - chocolate , ribbon, marble, red velvet, rainbow and all types of cup cakes with frosting to suit the clients liking

 

Desserts - cookies, chocolate fudge squares, chocolate mousse

 

I am planning to introduce macaroons, meringues and alcoholic cupcakes. The alcoholic cupcakes are just for fun and will be catered for adult parties only.

 

 

 

 

 

Who helps you?

 

It's truly a one man show. I do not have any staff working under me as yet. Having said,that , my husband and my in-laws are my staff. Being busy people as they are, they try and help me whenever time permits.

 

 

It started as a hobby then turned in to passion. This is what I like to do and this is what I want to do. My aim is to open my own store which will showcase my cakes and desserts for everyone to taste. I don’t believe in pricing my cakes ridiculously high, as my goal is not only to reach out to the rich and famous but to the people who want to have a beautiful cake with a small budget in hand.

 

 

 

You can reach Diana on 0777 007755

FB page - heaven's sakes cakes or

Email - [email protected]

 

 

 

 

 

Interview by Keshiya Leitch