A CUPCAKE shop and bespoke bakery in Stafford that has seen other busi- nesses in town come and go, this week celebrated its second birthday.
Tina Soden opened Love at First Bite, on Crabbery Street, two years ago after a traditional apprenticeship which saw her train with some of the country’s top cake decorators and chocolatiers.
Mrs Soden was born into the business, first learning her trade at her parent’s Parkside Bakery in the north of the town.
From there she worked at the family shop in Stafford hospital before becom- ing head of confectionary for the company’s main bakery.
Noticing his daughter’s emerging talent her father arranged for her to spend a year working with a selection of the UK’s very best bakers, before returning home and opening her own shop in what was an uncertain economic environment.
“Since I opened the shop I’ve seen lots of businesses come and go - some very substantial businesses,” said Mrs Soden. “It does worry me whenever a shop shuts in town, but I’m really chuffed that mine seems to be going so well.”
“If anything my shop is too small. I’d love to expand.”
However, having just had a child - Lucy is only five months old - Mrs Soden is resolved to take things slowly for the time being.
“I have to balance being a business woman and a mum,” she said. “Maybe when she’s at school I can look again at getting a bigger shop.
“It’s strange that once you’ve achieved one dream, you get another.”
Mrs Soden said she hoped her business could be an inspiration to other people to take a risk and get involved in a career that they are passionate about.
Along with expanding Love at First Bite, Mrs Soden is keen to one day open her own school and pass on some of the skills she’s learnt since she got into the business.
