Introducing Bebe's Bakehouse to Piccadilly Market on 3rd August. This is one super creative lady. I LOVE her edible art cookies.

Tell us a little about yourself?
I trained as an analytical chemist, before moving into IT, returning to study for a Masters, and then working as manager of online training for the movie and game industries. After our little monster arrived on Halloween 2011, I decided to turn my baking hobby into a small business starting with gourmet gluten-free puddings for Christmas 2013. After Christmas I expanded my product range with cookies, and most recently with EdibleArt cookies which feature printed artwork like movie posters or holiday-inspired illustrations.

How did you come up with your business name?
My business name is called Bebe’s Bakehouse. Bebe means 'baby in Serbian and when I was born that is what I was called and continued to be called for the whole of my life. To this day no one in my family calls me by my christian name as it would appear too formal.

Tell us how your product/range came about?
All my products are gluten free (with a few exceptions). I had been cooking and baking for friend who is a coeliac for some years now. She has always loved what I make for her and one Christmas a few years ago she asked me whether I had thought of selling my products at markets.  I started with gourmet gluten free fruit puddings: Double Chocolate and Bailey’s, Orange Spice with Cointreau, Double Chocolate and Orange with Cointreau and Traditional with Brandy and we have since included biscuits, cupcakes, fudge, brownies, blondies  and EdibleArt gingerbread cookies.



How long have you been in business for?
I officially started in October 2013

What inspires you?
I am inspired by stories of people who have struggled to succeed through extreme adversity.

Have you always been ‘crafty’ or has it bloomed later in life?
I think I had the average amount of ‘crafty/artiness’ that people have growing up but I’ve taken more interest in creating things now that I’m older so you could say I’m a late bloomer :)

What is something cool that most people wouldn’t know about you?
Not sure how cool it is but I have a current motorcycle license and I rode through the beautiful Rockies in Canada when I stayed there.

If money was no object what would be your dream destination right now? 
I would love to go back to Banff or Canmore in Alberta, Canada. I spent 15 months living in Banff in the early 90s while on a work visa. I have returned twice since then but it’s always in my thoughts to return again.

Favorite book?
I had a few favourite books growing up because they touched a nerve at the time. As an adult I have many favourite books but one of my all time favourites would have to be
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams.

What is your favorite website(s) ?    
 I spend a lot of time on imdv.com where I love looking through current and old movies as well as the actors who starred in them. I love exploring and ‘surfing’ the net and spend a bit of time on youtube looking at a lot of things from including cooking, music, documentaries and comedy shows.
     
Have you ever met anyone famous?
I met Dick Van Dyke many years ago at a convention in LA. He was lovely.