Yvonne Platt’s new cupcake baking business is attracting plaudits for more than the range of her recipes and qualities of bakes.

Graduating this summer from the Business School at the University of Greenwich, Yvonne beat off stiff competition to be named one of the runners-up in a new business innovation contest for a simple design idea that will allow ‘cup-cake bouquets’ to be carried more safely.

Yvonne from Catford, launched her business, Yvies Cupkakes at this year’s Cake and Bake Show, at Earl’s Court.

The Cupcake Bouquet Box is a large 400mm by 300mm by 300mm box with a front window, and inside houses a ceramic pot held in place by a sturdy insert, which holds the bouquet. The design means that it reinforces the horticultural ‘look’ of the creation, whilst ensuring the bake does not get damaged in transit.

Commenting on her idea, Yvonne said; “This simple design means that cup-cake bouquets can become an option for a host of celebrations, such as weddings and birthdays. In the past, they would have made a perfect option for centerpieces on a table, but they would have got damaged in transit. I could not believe that a solution had not been found to this irritating problem.” “Now bakers can more easily offer cup-cake bouquets as an option to their customers – but brides still must remember not to throw this kind of bouquet after saying ‘I do’ or it might get a bit messy!”

Yvonne will be going into production with the Cupcake Bouquet Box, aiming at both amateur and professional bakers. It will now make cupcake bouquets, previously overlooked because of transit difficulties, more of an option for celebrations.

As well as the Cupcake Bouquet Box, Yvonne will also be baking her own brand of cupcakes as part of the new business. Signature recipes include lemon cheesecake, red velvet, chocolate oreo and coconut marshmallow, but anything is a possibility.

Yvonne grew up with the delicious aroma of freshly baked cakes prepared by her mother and aunt, both of whom had a love of cooking. Yvonne developed her own style of baking and with that came a steely determination to turn her hobby into a thriving business and provide delicious cakes for eager consumers. Primarily providing cakes to events for family and friends, Yvonne was overwhelmed with complimentary feedback; this positive reinforcement was what told her it was time to start Yviescupkakes. Cupcake bouquets have recently made an appearance on the baking scene and since then has not really made the impact on the market that bakers were hoping for. Although independent bakers still continue to produce the products and have a large following on board sharing website Pinterest.

Based on information supplied by Charlotte Kingsland.