Up close and personal with...

Asma Hassan...Sugared Saffron Cake Design

When did you start in this business and what did you do before?

I started back in 2011 when I was 22 and it was my first real passion. Before that I was studying and looking after two small babies

How would you describe your style or are you influenced by the client’s desire/theme?

I’m definitely influenced by a client’s style but in general I'd say my style is a modern take on the more traditional wedding cake

I make a lot of sugar flowers which I think are timeless and matching them with crisp clean finish is just magical to me (these flowers are incredible, Liz)

What is your favourite flower?

I’m going to be terrible boring but roses, especially sweet avalanche roses (that's not boring at all, just a good classic choice, Liz)

What is your favourite style of cake to design/make?

Anything architectural! Think straight lines or beautiful curves but combined with colourful natural looking sugar flowers and foliage (This beautiful cake is from a wedding that Asma and I worked on several years ago with Alex from The Bijou Bride and it is sooo gorgeous! Liz)

Where do you get inspiration for your designs and is there a current trend?

I do a lot of floristry stalking, for sure! I think wedding flowers are such an integral part of the wedding and I like to use those trends to inspire my work

What sort of information do you need to know when meeting with a prospective client for the first time?

It’s really useful to get an idea of the look and feel of the wedding so that I can work out what direction their cake is going to go in. A few images that reflect their decor, flowers, stationery and of course any favourite cake pictures they have too

What sort of lead time do you need when taking on a project and can/would you do more than one wedding per weekend?

Most couples book 6 months out but I often work with shorter lead times. Luckily for me I can do more than one wedding per weekend and in the summer it’s normally 3-5 per week

Do you have fixed prices or is each cake tailored to the client?

I don’t have fixed prices but there is a price guide on our website so prospective clients can at least get an idea

What is the most fun part of your job?

I think that’s a tie between hosting a consultation for a couple and sugar flower making

What is the most important part of your job?

It might not technically be a part of the process but fulfilling my client’s expectations is number one

What makes you laugh?

Almost everything, embarrassingly enough! I spend a lot of time laughing and it’s just one of those things I was born with

People always remember me laughing

Thank you Asma, your cakes are truly gorgeous and taste as good as they look x

Sugared Saffron Cake Design