A Dundee woman is bringing home the bacon after giving up her job to bake cakes.
Kyoko Hirata’s spectacular cakes have won her fans across the city and demand for her stunning designs is so high that some months she even has to stop taking orders from customers.
She has fulfilled orders for cakes made in the shapes of a host of characters, from old favourites like Superted to Lego Batman and even Groot, the talking tree from last year’s smash hit Guardians of the Galaxy.
Remarkably, the 34-year-old only baked her first cake four years ago and learned her skills from watching tutorial videos online.
Born in Mexico City to Japanese parents, Kyoko moved to Dundee in 2009 after getting married.
Two years later she baked her first cake for her eldest son’s first birthday and the results were so impressive she began to consider giving up her career in pharmaceutical biochemistry to bake full-time, setting up her company Kokoro Cakes.
“Every time I posted a picture of a cake online, my friends would comment about them, saying I should start a cake business. I was not sure if they were just joking,” she said.
“In 2013 I gave it a serious thought.
“I have a degree in pharmaceutical biochemistry but always wanted to start my own business. After I had my boys, I felt it was a good opportunity to work from home and be able to look after them at the same time.
“I am self-taught but I have also learned a lot from YouTube! I really enjoy watching tutorials and everything cake-related.”
Kyoto makes each cake from scratch and her most elaborate design a cake in the shape of the Thundercat Lion-O took four days to complete from start to finish.
“Because I bake from scratch it takes me about an hour to prepare the tins, weigh the ingredients, make the batter and bake the cake,” she said.
“Depending on the type, size and shape of cake, it can take me between 50 to 70 minutes to frost and cover the cake.
“Then I start decorating it.
“Cakes with some basic decorations can take me up to two hours.
“Some more elaborate cakes, like Doctor Who’s TARDIS, can take me up to eight hours.
“Sometimes, when the customer requires sugar decorations or figurines, I need to make them upfront so they have plenty time to dry properly.”
An average price for one of Kyoto’s cakes is around £70 although the most complicated can cost more than £200.
Despite the complexity of some requests, Kyoko said she has never turned down an order.
“I had a last minute order in April, from someone that wanted me to make a Bichon Frise cake for her mum’s birthday,” she said.
“I had never made a 3D doggie cake in my life but since I love challenges, I agreed to make it.
“My first attempt looked something like a cartoon dog but not their dog so I repeated it and the result was much better and my customer loved it.”