As The Great British Bake Off returns, Northumberland cake maker reveals delight at rise of home baking

"The more unusual the better,” says the owner of The Farm Bakery, which has shops in Alnwick and Amble.

Colyn has made thousands of cakes in his 20-plus years as a master baker, the majority to help people celebrate special occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries.

Children’s cartoon characters, superheroes, popstars and favourite football teams are among the most common requests.

"We do a heck of a lot of cakes and customers usually have to book a month in advance,” he reveals.

"My speciality really is doing something a bit different and having a bit of fun.

"I love the modelling side of it so I’ve done quite a few with people’s faces on – including one request for a Jeremy Corbyn!

"I must admit I do get a little disappointed if I’m asked to do a simple cake with a floral decoration or something like that.”

Colyn picked up the baking bug at the age of 18 when he went to work at The Bread Bin in Amble, which was owned by his aunt and uncle.

“I did 10 years there and put myself through college,” he revealed. “I decided then that if I was going to do it, I was going to do it properly.”

He opened his first bakery in Amble in 2001 but it wasn’t until 2009 that the cake-making side of the business took off.

"I got a call off a photographer who was doing a Vogue photoshoot at Ellingham Hall and he wanted 2,000 cakes,” recalled Colyn.

"I’d always done cakes for the family and kids but I’d never done anything like that before. Anyway, I said ‘yes’ and it all started from there.

"I realised that’s what people want and since then I’ve given it a real push.”

In 2019, the company’s success was recognised when it won the North East Retail Bakery of the Year award.

Colyn spends most of his time in the Alnwick shop, while his wife, Christine, runs the Amble shop. Their daughter, Jasmine, is also involved in the business.

He has been delighted to see more people turning their hand to baking during lockdown.

“It’s been great to see,” he said. “The more people that are baking and the more interest there is in trying different things the better.

"There was a time when people would stick to baking a white loaf or wholemeal loaf but now they’re trying focaccia and ciabatta and all sorts.

"It’s been amazing how much we’ve sold to home bakers since Covid began – and I don’t mind giving out a bit of advice if they need it.”

He is among those who will be watching the new series of The Great British Bake-Off.

"I do watch it but sometimes with mixed feelings,” he says. “There are times when I wonder what they are doing but then I’ve been a master baker for over 20 years.

"Then there will be other occasions when I pick up a useful little tip or they’ll do something I’ve never thought of.”

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