Powys wedding cake maker wins award for second year in a row

Gail Jackson, from Erwood, near Builth Wells, has been recognised in the Hitched Wedding Awards 2023, with her business, Gail’s Cake Pantry, one of 31 winners in the ‘Wedding Cakes’ category.

Gail, who also won in 2022, has been baking cakes for 25 years and no two cakes she’s made have ever been the same.

She has created some absolute masterpieces, from happy couples skiing on the slopes, to suitcases, campervans, incorporating beloved pets into her cakes and even constructing some Lego block brilliance.  

Her slice of success has come during a difficult time, as Gail relocated to Powys – where she used to run a café and tearooms 20 years ago in nearby Llyswen – from Worcestershire during the pandemic.

This Lego masterpiece is just one of the myriad designs by Gail Jackson (Image: Gail Jackson)

“We’re thrilled to have won this award for the second year running,” said the mum-of-two and grandmother.

“Reviews mean the world, so thanks to all our newly-married couples for your kind-hearted words that have made us winners.”

Over 18,000 wedding vendors registered on the Hitched.co.uk website were relebrated in the awards, across 25 different categories, including venues, photographers, entertainment, planners, beauty, hair and makeup and honeymoons

After scores of happy couples were left devastated by cancellations due to the pandemic, 2022 brought weddings back with a boom.

Another of Gail's masterpieces (Image: None)

The Hitched awards are based on reviews left by couples who married in the past year. Gail’s Cake Pantry received a total of 68 reviews on their online storefront and achieved a stellar rating of 5.0 out of 5.0 – determined by real couples who planned their weddings with them, thus making Gail and her team one of the most recommended professionals by newlyweds on the platform.

“I really do feel I have the best job in the world and the best couples to work with. I could never imagine doing anything else,” said Gail, who says she doesn’t regret a thing about moving back to Mid Wales.

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“Often there’s a lot of leftovers at the end of a wedding – but not with our cakes. We’re always told our couples are amazed that there’s nothing left to take home, as their guests have polished off the lot.

“Our cakes come in various shapes, sizes, colours and designs. I like to create a bespoke design for each of my couples, listening to all of their thoughts and ideas and incorporating their themes and personalities into their cakes.

“I’ve made suitcases, campervans, beloved pets, Lego blocks and even couples skiing on the slopes. And every single one of them has been baked with love.

A very countryside-themed wedding cake (Image: None)

“We like to offer exciting flavours – as well as the usual vanilla sponges we offer lime and coconut, chocolate orange, Bailey’s and red velvet to name a few.”

Gail says she grew up with her passion pre-baked into her as she was surrounded by family members who were all involved in the industry. This inspired her to specialise in creating traditional and novelty cakes for weddings and other special occasions.

She uses the finest local ingredients and designs each cake to reflect the personalities of her clients. Despite the arduous task of moving at such a chaotic time, Gail now feels settled, nestled in the tiny little village of Erwood, between Builth and Llyswen.

“In 2020 we relocated our business from Redditch,” said Gail.

“It was a lot of hard work and involved a lot of traveling back and forth. We were in between lockdowns and so many of our precious weddings were being postponed, but we moved with every single one and made it work – even if it meant a six-hour round trip to deliver their cake.

“We love to go above and beyond for our couples. There’s nothing better than seeing their faces when their special cake is revealed; when they see their vision become a reality.

“My grandchildren are now four miles away so, after Covid it makes you all re-evaluate, and we don’t regret a thing.”

She has also been able to refurbish the house and now has a fantastic, huge kitchen, pantry and storeroom, which has been the icing on the cake.

They’ve renamed the house ‘The Pantry’, and the property also includes a two-bedroom B&B, with the rooms also having a baking theme, named ‘Welsh Cake’ and ‘Bara Brith’.