Back to Writing After a Busy Year

Hello, everyone!

I’m excited to share that I’m back to writing after a bit of a hiatus. It’s been quite a journey over the past year as I immersed myself in my postgraduate course. The experience was both intense and rewarding, pushing me to grow academically and personally.

While I loved every moment of learning, I missed the creative outlet of writing. Now that I’ve wrapped up my studies, I’m eager to dive back into sharing ideas, insights, and inspiration with you all. I have plenty to discuss, from lessons learned during my course to the experiences that shaped my year.

Thank you for your patience, and I can’t wait to connect with you again through my writing. Stay tuned for more posts, and let’s embark on this new chapter together!

Embracing the Sweet Life: Balancing a Small Bakery and Family Life

Running a small bakery is more than a business; it’s a passion that fills your days with the aroma of fresh bread, the sight of golden pastries, and the joy of creating something delicious from scratch. For many, including myself, it’s also a journey that intertwines deeply with family life, creating a unique blend of work and home that is both challenging and rewarding. Here’s a glimpse into my life running a small bakery while balancing the demands of family life.

The Early Mornings: A Symphony of Dough and Silence

My day begins before the sun rises. The stillness of early morning provides a serene backdrop as I knead dough and prepare the first batch of bread. This quiet time is precious, allowing me to focus entirely on my craft without distractions. It’s a peaceful start that sets the tone for the day.

The Midday Rush: Juggling Orders and School Runs

As the bakery doors open, the pace picks up. Customers come in for their morning pastries, and the kitchen buzzes with activity. Balancing the demands of the bakery with family responsibilities requires meticulous planning. I often find myself multitasking, coordinating the day’s orders while keeping an eye on the clock for school runs and other family commitments.

Involving the Family: A Collaborative Effort

One of the joys of running a small bakery is the opportunity to involve my family. My children often help with simple tasks like packaging baked goods or decorating cookies. This not only provides extra hands but also allows us to spend time together and teaches them valuable skills and the importance of hard work.

Afternoon Lull: Catching Up and Preparing for Tomorrow

The afternoon provides a brief lull in the bakery’s activity. This is my time to catch up on administrative tasks, plan for the next day, and, importantly, spend some quality time with my family. We might have a quick lunch together or simply chat about our day. This downtime is crucial for maintaining a balance and ensuring that the business doesn’t overshadow family life.

Evening Preparations: The Calm Before the Storm

As the day winds down, the focus shifts to preparation for the next day. This includes everything from setting up ingredients to making doughs that need to rise overnight. This evening routine is a blend of winding down from the day’s rush and gearing up for tomorrow. Once everything is set, it’s time to focus on family, helping with homework, preparing dinner, and enjoying some leisure time together.

The Weekend: Special Projects and Family Time

Weekends are often busy at the bakery with special orders and increased foot traffic. However, I make it a point to carve out time for family activities. Whether it’s a short getaway, a family movie night, or simply spending time together at home, these moments are essential for recharging and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Tips for Balancing Bakery Life and Family

1. Prioritize and Plan: Detailed planning helps in managing both bakery tasks and family commitments. A well-structured schedule can make a world of difference.

2. Involve the Family: Engaging family members in the bakery can turn work into quality family time and teach valuable life skills.

3. Set Boundaries: It’s important to set boundaries to ensure that work does not encroach on family time. Clearly defined working hours can help maintain this balance.

4. Embrace Flexibility: Despite the best plans, things can go awry. Embracing flexibility and adapting to changes is crucial in balancing both worlds.

5. Self-Care: Amidst the hustle, don’t forget to take care of yourself. A well-rested and healthy baker is more efficient and happier, benefiting both the business and the family.

Running a small bakery while aligning it with family life is a labor of love. It requires dedication, meticulous planning, and a passion for both baking and family. The rewards, however, are immense – a thriving business, a happy family, and the satisfaction of living a life filled with purpose and joy.

The True Cost of Baking: Understanding Pricing, Time, Ingredients, and Packaging

Baking cakes is not just a culinary endeavor; it's an art form that involves careful consideration of various factors, including pricing, time investment, ingredient quality, and packaging. In this blog post, we'll delve into the intricacies of cake pricing, explore the time and effort required for baking, discuss the importance of quality ingredients, and examine the role of packaging in delivering the perfect cake to your customers.

1. Pricing: Determining the price of a cake involves more than just covering the cost of ingredients. Factors such as labor, overhead expenses, and desired profit margins must also be taken into account. While it may be tempting to underprice your cakes to attract customers, it's important to value your time and expertise appropriately. Conducting a thorough cost analysis and market research can help ensure that your pricing is competitive yet sustainable in the long run.

2. Time: Baking a cake is a labor-intensive process that requires careful planning and execution. From prepping the ingredients to decorating the final product, every step in the baking process contributes to the overall time investment. Factors such as recipe complexity, batch size, and experience level can impact the time it takes to complete a cake. It's essential to accurately estimate the time required for each order to avoid overcommitting and to deliver on customer expectations.

3. Ingredients: Quality ingredients are the foundation of any delicious cake. From premium chocolate and fresh fruit to organic flour and free-range eggs, the ingredients you choose can significantly impact the flavor and texture of your cakes. While it may be tempting to cut costs by using cheaper alternatives, compromising on ingredient quality can compromise the taste and reputation of your bakery. Investing in high-quality ingredients not only enhances the taste of your cakes but also demonstrates your commitment to excellence.

4. Packaging: Packaging plays a crucial role in protecting your cakes during transit and presenting them in an attractive manner to your customers. Choosing the right packaging materials, such as sturdy boxes, cake boards, and decorative ribbons, can enhance the overall presentation of your cakes and create a memorable unboxing experience for your customers. Additionally, incorporating eco-friendly packaging options can appeal to environmentally-conscious consumers and align with your bakery's values.

Conclusion: Baking cakes is a multifaceted process that involves careful consideration of pricing, time, ingredients, and packaging. By understanding the true cost of baking and valuing your time and expertise appropriately, you can create delicious cakes that delight your customers and sustain your bakery business in the long term. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting out, prioritizing quality ingredients, efficient time management, and thoughtful packaging can set your cakes apart and elevate your bakery to new heights of success.

My Breakfast Enthusiasts, I am back!

I hope this message finds you well and ready to embark on a delightful culinary journey with me. After a period of thoughtful consideration, I am ecstatic to announce that I am back, curating the much-loved Breakfast Hampers!

The decision to resume this endeavor comes after careful reflection and a realization that there's something truly magical about crafting these morning indulgences. It's more than just a business; it's an enjoyable and pleasant experience that I find immensely fulfilling.

For those of you who have been a part of our breakfast community before, welcome back! Your enthusiasm and support have been the driving force behind this decision. And for those who are new to our breakfast world, get ready to be captivated by a symphony of flavors that will elevate your mornings to a whole new level.

Our website has been lovingly updated with a fresh array of Breakfast Hampers and Cake Gift Boxes. Each option has been thoughtfully curated to cater to different tastes and preferences. Whether you're in the mood for a Sweet Breakfast Box, a FIT Breakfast Box, or the indulgent Premium Breakfast Box, we've got you covered.

And that's not all – our Gift Boxes are making a return as well. Choose from the sophisticated Premium Box, the delightful Kids Box, or the opulent Luxury Box, each designed to bring joy and sweetness to every occasion.

For those who appreciate details, I can also send you an email with more information and mouthwatering pictures that will surely whet your appetite.

To make things even more convenient for you, we offer delivery services with a nominal fee of 10 euros for North Dublin and 20 euros for South Dublin.

Thank you for your continued support, and I can't wait for you to experience the joy of our Breakfast Hampers once again. Let's make mornings extraordinary together!

Warm regards,

The Sweet Dilemma: My Love for Baking vs. My Dislike for Cleaning

Baking has always been my creative escape, my culinary canvas where I transform ordinary ingredients into delectable works of art. I love the entire process, from measuring out the flour to watching the cake rise in the oven. There's something inherently therapeutic about mixing, whisking, and decorating a cake. The joy of seeing a beautifully crafted dessert is unmatched, and the smiles it brings to people's faces are priceless.

But, there's a confession I need to make. Despite my fervent passion for baking, there's one aspect of it that I absolutely dread - cleaning up afterward. Yes, the aftermath of my baking adventures often leaves me staring at a chaotic kitchen, wishing for a magical cleaning fairy to make it all disappear. While the love for baking flows through my veins, the enthusiasm for post-baking cleanup is somewhat lacking.

Here are a few reasons why I find cleaning up after baking less than enjoyable:

1. Messy Workstations: Baking, with its flour clouds and sugary spills, tends to turn my once-tidy kitchen into a whirlwind of disarray. Bowls, spatulas, and measuring cups pile up, as if they've multiplied on their own.

2. Sticky Fingers and Counters: Sugar, butter, and icing inevitably find their way onto my fingers and countertops. Cleaning off the gooey remnants can be a tedious task.

3. Pans and Dishes: Let's not forget the numerous pots, pans, and dishes that get used. They accumulate faster than I can wash them, leading to a mountain of dirty cookware.

4. Icing Sugar Cloud: Decorating cakes is an art in itself, but the clouds of icing sugar that seem to erupt and settle on every surface can be maddening.

So, why do I continue to bake despite the impending cleanup? The answer is simple: my love for baking triumphs over my aversion to cleaning. There's something magical about the entire process that makes it all worth it.

The Joy of Creation: Baking allows me to create something beautiful and delicious. Whether it's a birthday cake, cupcakes for a celebration, or a batch of cookies for a rainy day, the satisfaction of crafting these delights overshadows the impending cleanup.

Sharing Happiness: Baking isn't just about the process; it's about the joy it brings to others. Seeing the smiles on people's faces when they taste my creations is incredibly rewarding. It's like sharing a slice of happiness.

Learning and Growth: Each baking experience is a learning opportunity. With every cake, I discover new techniques and gain valuable skills that help me become a better baker.

To make the cleanup process more manageable, I've adopted a few strategies over time. I clean as I go, which reduces the overwhelming mess after baking. I've also learned to appreciate the satisfaction that comes from having a clean and organized kitchen.

In conclusion, my love for baking will always outweigh my dislike for cleaning up afterward. It's a small price to pay for the joy and fulfillment I derive from creating delicious treats. Baking is my passion, and I'm willing to embrace both the messy and the marvelous aspects of it. So, even though I may grumble about the post-baking cleanup, you can bet that I'll be back in the kitchen, whipping up something sweet and irresistible, time and time again

"I Tried, But I'm Back: The Challenges of Running a Small Business"

Starting a small business is often seen as an exciting and rewarding venture, and rightfully so. The idea of being your boss, pursuing your passion, and potentially reaping the benefits of your hard work can be alluring. I, too, fell under the spell of entrepreneurship, but my journey had its share of hurdles and setbacks. Today, I want to share my experiences and insights on how difficult it can be to run a small business.

1. The Initial Euphoria: When I first embarked on this journey, I was brimming with enthusiasm. My vision was crystal clear, and I was determined to turn my passion into profit. However, what I didn't fully appreciate was the amount of dedication and resilience it would require.

2. The Reality of Financial Strain: Running a small business often means you're pouring your savings, time, and energy into it. Initially, the financial strain can be overwhelming. There were months when profits were meager, and I had to dip into personal savings to keep the business afloat.

3. The Loneliness of Decision-Making: As the owner, you bear the weight of making important decisions alone. This isolation can be mentally taxing, especially when faced with critical choices that can make or break your business.

4. The Never-Ending To-Do List: Running a small business is a 24/7 commitment. You become the marketer, accountant, customer service representative, and janitor all in one. Balancing these roles can be exhausting.

5. The Uncertainty of Success: No matter how well you plan and execute, there's always an element of uncertainty in the world of small business. Economic downturns, unexpected competition, or changes in consumer preferences can disrupt even the most meticulously crafted business plans.

6. The Importance of Adaptability: One crucial lesson I've learned is the necessity of adapting to change. Being flexible and open to new ideas is vital for survival. Sticking rigidly to an initial plan may lead to failure.

7. The Power of Customer Feedback: On a brighter note, the support and feedback from customers have been my lifeline. Positive reviews and repeat business are heartening reminders that my efforts are making a difference.

8. The Resilience to Keep Going: Despite the challenges, I've come to appreciate the value of perseverance. Every obstacle faced has been a lesson learned, and each setback a stepping stone to growth.

In conclusion, running a small business is not for the faint of heart. It demands dedication, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to your vision. It's a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows, but for those who are willing to weather the storms, the sense of accomplishment and the opportunity to pursue your passion are unparalleled. So, while it's undoubtedly tough, the journey is also incredibly rewarding.

Do you have time to make a Sourdough Bread ?

We all like to make a little joke here and there, but what is the secret of a Sourdough Bread? Why is it more expensive than others breads? Has this ever crossed your mind? Well, here is the answer.

Sourdough Bread is a very light bread, so much so that I can guarantee you that after a stomach full you won’t feel bloated!! Sourdough bread is made with Strong Flour, Pure Water, Sea Salt and Natural Yeast… that all it takes! Well almost. It also requires a lot of time, sometimes up to 24 hours. This is a delicately constructed bread but there is no way that you can have it straight away. First all all, you must mix all the ingredients in a bowl and gently turn the bread 20 times from the outside in. And then when you finish turning the ingredients you must leave it to rest for 2-3 hours, and then do it again. And again! You can repeat this process up to 4 times. Then leave it to rest overnight. The next day, you must place your dough in the fridge for a minimum of 3 hours and only then is it ready to go to the oven. Though these steps can be tiring and it is tempting to try and speed them up, they are all integral to ending up with this beautiful bread on your table.

Wedding Cakes

When I first started baking cakes I always had Wedding Cakes in Mind, maybe because I am a big fan of weddings and I think there is nothing better than having a Beautiful Wedding Cake Stand on your special day. However, I could never have imagined the amount of work that goes into a Wedding Cake until I got started. I have made a couple of wedding cakes and it’s very enjoyable. It is quite interesting that we always have a picture of a Wedding Cake in mind but we “kind of forget about the flavours”. Maybe this is because the first impression we get from a Wedding Cake is the visual ”Wow factor”. But is that all we want from a Wedding Cake? Surely not!

So here is my advice!

I have to admit, I was so nervous when doing my first Wedding Cake. I didn’t think that I could put out the cake, but I got there!

Some couples are more relax than others. However, we can’t generalise that they are all the same - I get brides that know what they want for their big day inside out, whilst on the other hand, some don’t mind at all! So in this business you have to be ready to deal with both types of clients. Regardless of the type of person you may be, there are so many details to gather to get the “Perfect Wedding Cake”, so the most important advice is getting on the phone and chatting with the designer. You might have already a design in mind or you might have no idea and are looking for inspiration. Regardless of which boat you fall into, don’t be afraid to share your thoughts (or lack of!) with your cake designer. A couple of ideas back and forth can often help you land on a design that suits your big day.

Also, I would always recommend you have a tasting box. You certainly want to make sure that your guests will not just think your cake looks beautiful, but tastes beautiful too! We can usually provide you with three or four popular options, or indeed anything specific you might prefer. A tasting box is just that - it is all about the flavour and what you want your cake to taste like. So don’t worry about how the cake looks in the tasting box and focus on the flavours. Once you have picked your perfect flavour, we will ensure it looks perfect on your big day!

So for your big day, don’t be afraid to get in contact with us . Ask lots of questions (we love them!) and don’t forget the flavours!

Presentation and Personal Touches

Here I am back for my second Post! It may sound a bit strange, but I am actually enjoying sharing with you part of my journey with Gifts and Treats. I hope that by the end of this post you will understand a bit more about where my passion comes from. When I studied I remember being told by prestigious chefs that “People eat by their eyes” - and of course, we do! So when we started Gifts & Treats, we wanted to offer good food, but we also wanted it to be beautiful presented. That was key! We brought out our Homemade Hamper with a variety of 7 Artesian Breads (Real Breads!), all homemade, with quality ingredients. We took time to select the breads. We wanted people to have a “ Five Star Breakfast in their home”, but we also wanted it to be a unique experience of different flavours and textures all in one beautiful Box. We also decided that we want to to be ECO Friendly, so all our Jars are made from Glass and all are recyclable! The complements that we have received, has made us realise that the final touches mean everything.

We do spend quite a lot of time preparing the jars, down to our final touches when we wrap them with a beautiful Gold ribbon! We also spend a considerable amount of time preparing our coffee and tea. Everything in the Baskets are special and there are little touch in every single element.

It is quite funny, because we have discussed among ourselves if people would notice those “Personal Touches”, that we spend so much time on, when we got an email out of nowhere. It was a CEO of a multinational company who lives in Bray. I have to admit I get very excited when we get feedback but that email was wonderful and more important, it was the sign that we were looking for. I would like to share it with you because as a small business such messages more then make up for all the other hard work.

"Hello,

This morning, I was surprised to see a delivery coming towards my door here in Bray. I accepted the delivery and found out it was from my manager for our meetings for the day.

I wanted to send a note to say that I was blown away with how tasty everything in the Breakfast Box was, everything was delicious and the presentation was top notch. I know people are quick to write and complain when things do not go so well but I felt compelled to write to say thank you and I look forward to using your business again in the future for my own team!

A satisfied customer!"

So, that says a lot for us! My perception of spending time on the Personal Touches and Presentation was right. People were noticing these details after all!

We are happy to say that we continue delivering the Box and feedback is amazing!

My first Post!

I must admit, I have been thinking for a while of sharing my ideas of this “New Business” that I got myself into, but I have always found it harder to put these thoughts onto paper then talking with friends or family, but I eventually said I’d give it a go!

My name is Lu and I am a mother of two beautiful girls. When I had my second child, I decided to change my career. I worked as a Marketing Manager for much of my career, and though it was a job that I enjoyed, I knew it was time to try something different. There were a lot of reasons that influenced this decision, but we can leave this for another time.

Just before I found out that I was pregnant with my first child, I was actually back in College studying on a Culinary Course. I have to say, I LOVE cooking. I LOVED the course more then I thought it possible to LOVE a course. I was doing great, even with my big belly around the College’s kitchen. The whole experience was amazing. Despite the difficulties of being trying to balance being pregnant with studying, I didn’t give up and I finished the course. My only regret back then was that I didn’t pursue the area. After having my baby I thought that my life as a CHEF was over. The kitchen schedule is pretty hard and it wouldn’t fit around my family schedule. I thought at the time that I was giving up this career and that the rest of my career was destined to be ‘back in the office’.

The truth is, we never know which way the wind is going to blow. I thought that was the end of my time in the kitchen, but then life turned upside-down again!

All the Best,