Piece of Cake
Baker in the Spotlight: Kelly Scheffer from Piece of Cake
From mother-daughter hobby to a thriving family business
In the cozy Den Hoorn we find the bakery Piece of Cake , a family business where Kelly Scheffer (34) bakes with passion every day together with her mother and sister. It all started when Kelly, together with her mother, discovered the love of baking at a young age. "Making people happy with our delicacies is something we always loved," says Kelly. What started as a hobby has now grown into a successful bakery where both the shop and customization for special occasions are central.
A safe start and steady growth
Kelly and her mother started their bakery from home. “We built everything up very safely,” says Kelly. “Every time we earned something, we put it back into the business. After about six months, we found an affordable building.” From that first building, they continued to grow and now have a larger space with an upper floor, garden and a spacious kitchen. “We can really go all out in our bakery and shop now,” says Kelly.
Working with family: the greatest success
For Kelly, there is no question what her greatest achievement is. “That I started a company with my mother and that we still do this together, with my sister as well, is the best thing there is. Family is the most important thing, and that we can do this together makes it extra special.”
A day in the bakery
A typical day at Piece of Cake starts early. “We start around 7:45 with a coffee and breakfast while we talk about the day,” Kelly explains. Then it’s off to work, preparing the shop and finishing the cakes and other treats. They restock the shop throughout the day, and by late afternoon the team starts cleaning and preparing for the next day. “We’re usually done by around 5:30 and have a drink with the team,” Kelly says.
Essential items in the kitchen
When Kelly is asked what is indispensable in her bakery, she answers resolutely: “Butter! And also turntables, spreading knives and a blowtorch. Without those tools it would be a lot harder to deliver the quality that we do now.”
The most precious assignment: a wedding cake
A special moment in Kelly's career was the first wedding cake she made. "That was a job we will never forget. We were so nervous! Now we can do jobs like that in a jiffy, but it's still a special memory."
Favorite pastries and less popular trends
Kelly especially enjoys making vintage heart cakes and New York style cookies. “We often make different types and are constantly testing new recipes and variations,” she says. However, there is one pastry she doesn’t like working with as much: “Cheesecake! It always takes so long to make, I don’t like that,” she laughs.
As for trends, Kelly is a fan of the current pistachio trend. But she’s less enthusiastic about matcha, another popular green flavor: “I really don’t like matcha,” she admits.
Inspiration from far away
For new creations, Kelly looks mainly online, but she consciously avoids Dutch Instagram accounts. “I don’t want to copy anything, especially not from accounts that are too close. My inspiration usually comes from further away.”
Challenges and learning from mistakes
Despite her success, Kelly is open about the challenges in her job. “I find it hard to say no. Sometimes we get last-minute orders or requests for pastries that we don’t normally make. Still, I often say yes, even though I don’t really want to do it.” She has also learned from past mistakes. “In the beginning, we didn’t always think carefully about our prices. We priced things according to what we thought was right at the time, but that’s not how it works. Now we calculate our cost price carefully and take into account the time that goes into it.”
Social media, an indispensable tool
Social media plays a crucial role for Piece of Cake. “It’s so important! It’s a free way to promote your business, so why wouldn’t you?” Kelly asks. She uses platforms like Instagram to showcase her creations and stay in touch with her customers.
Tips for Beginner Bakers
Kelly is happy to give novice bakers three valuable tips:
- Make what you like and find tasty.
- Always enjoy your work.
- Let people taste your products and listen carefully to the feedback you receive.
She also shares a handy tip she learned from Rudolph van Veen: “If you want to put cream in a piping bag, fold the top of the bag around a large glass. This keeps the edges clean and makes filling much easier.”
Dreams and plans for the future
As for the future, Kelly dreams of automating more and being able to ship their treats. She also wants to professionalize the company’s back office. “We still do a lot with pen and paper, but if we want to grow, that really has to change.”
Unique requests and compliments
One of the most unique requests Kelly ever received was from a bride and groom. “They asked what look the wedding cake should have. Their answer was, ‘We trust you, make whatever you would want on your own wedding.’ I thought that was a really special moment.”
The best compliment she's ever received? "A regular customer came back from vacation and said the vacation was great, but that she missed us so much. That was such a sweet compliment!"
Packaging, the business card of your product
Finally, Kelly emphasizes the importance of good packaging. “It has to be easy to handle for the customer and present the products in the right way. Packaging is really important!”
With her heart for family, passion for baking and eye for detail, Kelly Scheffer continues to inspire other bakers. Piece of Cake is more than just a bakery – it’s a place where love for baking and family come together.
Follow Kelly and Piece of Cake online:
Instagram: @pieceofcakestore
Website: www.pieceofcakestore.nl