Local Face: Debbie Cattle

Debbie was born in Watford in 1973, and moved to Aston Clinton when she was five. She grew up with baking and cooking as a major influence in her life as both her Nan and Mum were great bakers. Family birthdays were always an opportunity to make a cake. By the time she was 16 she was given a gift voucher for W H Smith, and bought a book on Cake Decorating, Finishing Touches by Pat Ashby and Tombi Peck. This was the inspiration that really got her started. She signed up to do several evening courses and soon the simple birthday cakes were becoming more and more exotic creations.

Debbie went to Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School in Aylesbury and did A levels, but having gained a place at university she decided to take a year out. She was soon employed by one of Hertfordshire’s leading bakeries to make sugar flowers for wedding cakes and university was put off completely. Having gained a wealth of experience she then went on to do a City and Guilds teacher training course and taught adult education for West Herts College for a number of years.

After various career changes including Store Manager for Holland and Barrett and Fleet Sales for Volkswagen, she had her daughter Eve in 2004, but had never given up on the idea of cake decorating professionally.

By mid 2005 the opportunity to take over the Cake Factory in Wendover presented itself and she grabbed it. The rest, as they say is history. Cornelli Sugarcraft has somewhat taken over her life and the passion has truly become reality.

Spare time is quite rare, but Debbie and her partner Steve have spent the past year renovating a house in Chesham, which has now become home, having moved in last summer. She is now looking forward to a more relaxing summer and hopefully some time for getting the garden in order. Aside from the general day to day running of the shop, Debbie makes cakes from home, and is now running daytime courses from her purpose built kitchen in Chesham, as well as the long standing classes that are held in the shop in the evening.

Debbie hopes that her enthusiasm for baking and cake decorating never leaves her and she tries to inspire as many people as possible to have a go for themselves.