Aylesford baker launches digital magazine to teach others how to make illusion cakes
11:14, 14 March 2022
updated: 11:18, 14 March 2022
Batter, cream and carefully crafted models are just some of the daily duties carried out by an Aylesford cake maker, who has recently added a digital magazine to her growing business.
International, multi-award winning cake artist, Kelly Jane, is the owner of D’licious cakes, a company started in 2018 which specialises in structured, carved and wedding cakes.
Though, when she doesn’t have her hands full with sugar and flour, she gets to work on her online publication which began in January.
Having formerly worked at a newspaper, Kelly used her skills to create the digital magazine which covers tutorials, interviews and competitions, to name a few.
Incredibly, in a three month span, Kelly has interviewed some of the cake world’s most respected artists, notably, Natalie Sideserf (Sideserf Cakes), Dot Klerck, and Raquel Garcia.
And an upcoming ‘illusion’ issue due in May will include an interview with Turkish chef, Tuba Geckil from RedRoseCakes, who makes in-depth 3D illusions.
What started as a hobby for Kelly has seen her judge and enter a number of competitions.
Kelly’s first go with illusion cakes was a ladybug cake she created for her daughter’s first birthday in 2013, which she comically remembers as it ‘took her forever’, and one of the things which inspired her publication’s ‘Newbie and Now’ section.
The mum-of-two gained valuable experience at Aylesford’s now closed Cupcake Hearts.
Now, with such a busy schedule, Kelly said: “I don’t sleep much, I work pretty much all the time, but I really enjoy what I do so it doesn’t feel like work.
“I work on orders and show pieces during the day and work on the magazine in the evening.
“Before teaching, I worked at a local newspaper so I do like writing and producing."
In the mornings Kelly does the school run, comes back home to walk the dog, grabs a quick bite and begins work on her cakes.
“Once I get into it I tend to not really stop. I work through lunch and then go and get the kids after school.”
It’s not until 1am or 2am that she finally goes to bed.
She entered her first competition at Cake International in 2019 where she decided to ‘go big or go home’ and received two bronzes and a merit.
In 2020, a bake disguised as a camera bagged her the top prize at the regional Cake Professional Awards.
Today, she also judges at various competitions, joining the judging panel at this year’s Cake Star UK to which she said: “I love judging, I only started doing that this year, when I judged the Sri Lanka cake awards.
“I’ve been on the other side, I know how nerve-racking it is."