Seeking a creative outlet from her 9 to 5, Sherry Hostler turned her hand to cake decoration to discover she was a natural. Sandra Smith met the artisan at her Wilstone studio
Sherry Hostler attaches hand rolled pearls of pastel coloured sugar paste to a three tiered celebration cake using a fine brush dipped in edible glue. The smoothness of each tiny moulding is echoed in the precision of its placement. As she tops her creation with a champagne saucer in which a delighted fondant icing lady bathes among sugar bubbles, this award winning cake designer eagerly discusses her craft and the chance discovery of her skills.
‘I’ve always been creative but it all started when I was in an office job I loathed,’ she explains. ‘I looked at a college prospectus and it was a toss up between silver jewellery and cake decorating.’
Sherry glances around her premises in the lovely village of Wilstone, north-west of Tring. Extensive stainless steel work surfaces, chest freezers, storage shelves and an industrial sized oven contradicts her initial assumption that baking involves less equipment than jewellery making. Still, there’s no doubt she made the right choice.
‘I hadn’t a clue I’d be such a natural,’ she grins. ‘I taught myself to bake, went to a few classes and did online stuff as well. You’re always learning as there are so many new techniques and people want different things.
I rarely repeat the same thing – that’s what keeps it interesting and challenging.’ Her first commission – for a friend’s 40th birthday – reflected his interest in motor racing with the design of a race track and chequered flag.
Denne historien er fra December 2017-utgaven av Hertfordshire Life.
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Denne historien er fra December 2017-utgaven av Hertfordshire Life.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Explosive history
With bonfire night this month, author Harry Smee recounts the explosive story of his family’s firework company, Brock’s, creators of wonders and war-changing weapons
A Day In The Life Of... A Jewellery Designer
Laurie McGrath, senior designer at Harriet Kelsall bespoke jewellery in Halls Green, gives an insight into her working day
Sniffig out clues in THE ASHES
Meet the fire investigation dogs securing convictions against arsonists and murderers who otherwise may go free
The greatest traveller
Exploring ancient civilisations and rising powers, Violet CressyMarcks became the most travelled woman of her age. Fifty years after her death we look at her incredible life
Return of the Queen of Romance
Twenty years after the death of record-breaking novelist Dame Barbara Cartland, Gillian Thornton talks passions, plots and a new audience with her son at the family home in Essendon
In bed with CELEBS
Marking its 70th year, Welham Green soft furnishings company Ashley Wilde has grown from a pile-it-high, sell-it-cheap business into an industry leader with A-list partnerships
Roam with a view
We may not have coastline or mountains, but Herts has beautiful views all the same, if you know where to look
Saving Mrs Tiggy-Winkle
The secret life of a much-loved British mammal and simple steps we can take at home to stop its extinction
A walk down Surreal Street
Paul Crowley draws on his graphic designer’s eye to capture scenes from the country to the street, all tinged with surreality
5 minutes with
Carole Spiers, Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce member and founder of International Stress Awareness Week
