How did it all start? Well I have always loved to cook and bake, inspired by my Home Economics teacher since first year in high school and surrounded by Aunties who just loved to bake. After finishing school I naturally moved on to Catering College for a few years, followed by working in various restaurants around Belfast, progressing into pastry kitchens and loving the creative side of it, also, I love cake, who doesn't... After getting married to Alan, when of course I made my own wedding cake, a 3 tier hexagonal royal iced fruit cake with extension and lace work and handmade pink sugar roses, it was 35 years ago after all... we moved to Bermuda.

Bermuda, what an incredible, life changing, unforgettable experience, working for 10 years in the busy pastry kitchens of The Fourways Inn and Elbow Beach Hotel with amazingly talented chefs from all around the world. I was blessed to win many silver and gold medals and trophies from the Salon Culinaire Philanthropique, New York, for my cakes and creations in the annual Agriculture Shows. I learned so much, it was amazing.

On returning home, another 10 years spent as Pastry Chef in a local restaurant, the Cuan, in the pretty village of Strangford. Then our 2 little daughters arrived and I gave up work for several years to enjoy them. Debbie Brown's Party Cakes became our favourite all time book, sometimes 3 cakes for each birthday... a cake for school, one for home and one for the official party, fun times...

Then in 2012, when thinking about returning to work again, my husband, a wedding photographer, suggested making wedding cakes from home, and Wedding Cakes by Design was born. Ten years later and I'm still making bespoke wedding cakes adorned with handmade sugar flowers and loving it.

Over the past 10 years I have found my true passion in creating incredibly lifelike sugar flowers to dress my cakes with. All handmade and bespoke to reflect those in the Bride's bouquet, they may take several days to make but it gives me a great sense of accomplishment and satisfaction and makes each of my home-baked cakes unique and truly special.