Amy at Offbeat Cakes

Hello! I am a diagnosed coeliac who follows a vegan diet and I bake yummy cakes. I would describe myself as a baking enthusiast, who believes that everyone should be able to enjoy an indulgent cake, regardless of dietary restrictions.

I was diagnosed as a coeliac in March 2007, which was an unexpected result of various medical tests. I realised over the next few years that I also seemed to react to dairy, having skin problems whenever I ate dairy products, so I began to cut them out of my diet. This, along with a growing interest in veganism and the health benefits of a plant-based diet, encouraged me to start researching alternative plant-based ingredients to use in cooking and baking, along with gluten-free grains.

Working in a catering environment for the last four years, including a vegetarian cafe known for it's vegan and gluten-free options, I began to use my recipes in a commercial kitchen, providing an option for people with special diets. I discovered the joy in creating fresh and tasty food for people who often assumed that they would have to go hungry, or put up with some pre-packaged offering which was the only option for someone following a special diet.

Knowing from personal experience the disappointment of going out for a social visit to a cafe or restaurant, and not being able to eat anything on offer in the cake cabinet, I decided it was time to set up a business which catered for this market, and so Offbeat Cakes was born…!

Much of my baking is done through a trial and error process of altering individual ingredients for each recipe and making minor adjustments to ensure that the final product is just perfect – nothing less will do. Baking is a science, and to achieve the combination of taste, texture and keeping qualities that Offbeat Cakes is well known for takes much patience and an in-depth knowledge of baking and how ingredients react with each other. Great attention to detail in the creation of the recipes and the handmade finishes to my cakes mean that the outcome is always a pleasure to look at, as well as immensely enjoyable eat of course!

If you like what I'm about, and want to try my cakes, please visit my website:

https://offbeatcakes.wordpress.com/