Floral Inspired Pastries with Emma Dodi Cakes
Photo courtesy of Emma Dodi Cakes
We had such a pleasure this week to interview Emma from Emma Dodi Cakes in London, England. Creating one of a kind work, this inspiring and enthusiastic artist shed light on balancing a focus on others and oneself. She taught us how creating time for yourself can not only lead to personal joys, but delightful success! Whether it’s making macarons or growing your own cut flowers, the smallest effort to make time for yourself is extremely valuable. Someday we hope to go across “the pond” and try her beautiful creations!
For a bit of inspirational fun, we’ve included flowers we think would pair nicely with each of her creations.
Introducing:
Emma Dodi Cakes
Emma is the mastermind behind Emma Dodi Cakes. She is a cake and macaron designer from London, known for her bespoke cakes and magical hand-painted macarons. Emma officially started her company in 2016, where it has grown to have a sister company, Emma Dodi Shop, that sells cake decorating supplies.
Photo courtesy of Emma Dodi Cakes
From Banker to Baker
Emma explained her history to us, joking “I just decided to drop a letter and become a baker!! Haha!!” We can see her attitude is full of playful joy. She continued, “No, more seriously, it all started because after I’d had my 4th child I was in desperate need of something to do that was just for myself. A friend recommended a cake course she'd been on and so I joined her for the subsequent one, and it all started there! I have always been quite artistic so I really enjoyed it and it was quite delicious too!” Pictured right is a cake with a mix of piped frosting and dried flower petals.
Photo courtesy of Emma Dodi Cakes
Calendulas are beautiful as an accent cut flower or a fun way to add edible petals or color to food. View our Pink Surprise Calendula.
A Chain of Inspiration
When asked where she goes for inspiration, Emma told us, “I get inspiration everywhere. Magazines, exhibitions, books, even just chatting to people. I like to run, so I often think through my ideas whilst running, and hatch a plan!“
This gorgeous cake was inspired by a dress designed by Oscar de la Renta, worn by Taylor Swift at the 2021 Grammy’s. The dress was in turn inspired from the work of Tricia Paoluccio at Modern Pressed Flowers.
Photo courtesy of Emma Dodi Cakes
Pansies are excellent candidates for creating homemade edible flower decorations, pressed or fresh. View our Matrix Series Pansy.
Process of Learning
“I have learnt that you never stop learning! Every time I create something new and different for a client, I find myself figuring something out that I hadn’t thought of before. Also, the more I create, the more ideas I get. Even when I feel a bit lost for ideas, I get started and then something just comes up and off I go again.”
Emma shows her hand-painted macarons that match her dress at an event in London.
Photo courtesy of Emma Dodi Cakes
Hand-Painted Darlings
Each of Emma’s creations are amazing, but we had to ask which are dear to her heart. “Every time I create something new it becomes my favourite! But I think lately, my daisy macarons have been my favourites. I think the drawing is really pretty but I also love the duck egg blue colour I mixed for them.” Additionally Emma added, “I also really liked the mini wedding cakes I made with piped flowers recently - there was a smallish wedding cake and then every guest got their own little wedding cake, really very sweet (pardon the pun!).”
Photo courtesy of Emma Dodi Cakes
Just like Emma’s macarons, these Chamomile flowers will brighten up a garden with their sunshine yellow.
A Classic Beauty
Flowers can hold meaning to each of us, whether from personal experience or cultural beliefs. Emma shared, “I love all flowers, I think I have lots of favourites and the mood I’m in dictates my preferred one. However, if I had to choose one type it would probably be roses. The roses I painted on my macarons right at the start of my journey, is what set everything off, and also, they were my father's favourites, so that makes me a bit biased.”
Photo courtesy of Emma Dodi Cakes
Carnations are another classic and staple for cut flower gardens. View our Chabaud Series Carnation.
Doing What You Love
In final words to us, Emma expressed her gratitude: “I really love what I do and I am lucky enough to be able to create new and exciting cakes and macarons every day. I love the whole process involved in what I do, from the challenge of making bespoke products, pushing boundaries, drawing in my sketch book, collecting magazine cuttings in my scrap books, designing a cake for a client that tells their story, the alchemy of the kitchen, coming up with new flavours, the lot! I always tell my kids that they should do what they love, because if you love it, then you don’t mind the long days and hard work.”
Photo courtesy of Emma Dodi Cakes
Check out our Edible Flower Seed Set to start growing your bundle of beautiful and edible blooms. Includes: Calendula, Pansy, Snapdragon, Nasturtium, and Marigold seeds.
View more of Emma’s gorgeous work on her website or on Instagram at @emmadodicakes
All photos courtesy of Emma Dodi Cakes
