Danielle Edington, a 41-year-old mother from Kings Heath, has turned her front garden shed into a thriving cake business, prompting her to leave her full-time job as a school catering manager. The Lavender Cake Shed, located on Beechwood Road, offers homemade brownies, cookies, slices, cakes, and other treats, operating on an honesty-based payment system.
From Hobby to Full-Time Venture
Danielle, who has two children aged nine and 12, trained as a commis chef while studying geography at the University of Birmingham. For nearly two decades, she worked as a head chef in fresh food restaurants, wedding venues, contract catering, and schools. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she launched a home-based afternoon tea service, which expanded into bespoke cakes and catering. The idea for a cake shed came next, inspired by TikTok trends.
Honesty System Restores Faith
Customers pay by placing cash in an envelope through a letterbox or via a QR code. Despite initial fears of theft, the system has worked flawlessly. Danielle said, "It's restored my faith in humanity." A camera monitors the shed, but no thefts have occurred. The business is fully registered, insured, and holds a five-star food hygiene rating.
Community Support and Flexibility
Neighbors have been supportive, with a WhatsApp group where people ask about available treats. The shed is open daily from 9am to 9pm, attracting customers from as far as Redditch and Solihull. Danielle bakes in her kitchen and preps in a garden building, keeping overheads low. She added, "I'm at home for my children now, which I couldn't do before."
