The lovely people of Platf9rm (co-working space in Brighton and Hove) made me their Member of the Week and asked me a few questions, hope you enjoy getting to know me a little more! If you have any questions, leave me a comment below!

On your marks, get set, BAKE ...Introducing Emily Mounsey founder of Big Spoon, a company created to bring out the best baker in all of us. Her easy-to-do cake kits allow baking novices to make show-stopping desserts for any occasion.

Hello Emily. So it seems baking has become a bit of a cultural obsession over the last few years. How does Big Spoon appeal to wannabe bakers out there?

I have recipes passed down from my Nonnie (grandma), which I still use today but baking has evolved and there are so many new trends and styles to try and as a result there are loads of wannabe bakers out there! Who can blame them? Big Spoon appeals to keen bakers but also the novices who might not know where to start with a cake…which is why I provide all of the equipment you need. I wanted to make it as easy as possible for everyone to get involved no matter your level of skill.

Big Spoon’s ethos is that anyone can bake amazing cakes; your cake kits include lions, unicorns and pineapples - oh my! Where did the idea of cake kits stem from?

The idea actually came from my old boss...she said there was so much pressure to create a show stopping cake for her little one’s birthday parties. She wanted me to make the decorations for her, so I decided to go the whole hog and create an entire kit! 

Baking seems to be everywhere with The Great British Bake Off to Nailed It all over our screens, where do you see Big Spoon heading in the future?

I am so happy GBBO is back! I have grand plans for Big Spoon’s future, but in the immediate future there will be a handful of new kits appearing with a completely different look. I have been working on a collaboration with a company in Portslade...all will be revealed soon! 

You recently did a PLATF9RM Learns: To Decorate Sugar Cookies with Big Spoon. How was that experience for you working and teaching fellow members? 

I absolutely loved it! I was over the moon to be asked to do a Learns session, and even more excited when I realised it was National Burger Day. It was so much fun decorating burger and fries cookies, and everyone had their own interpretations, including a triple burger! It was amazing meeting other members and having an hour away from our computers. Baking can be really therapeutic!

So you joined the PLATF9RM Community in March. How has it been for you and has it helped to grow your business?

I couldn’t wait to join! I was on the waiting list ready for The Grounds to open and it did not disappoint. It gave me a real focus and structure as I had starting a business very lonely. I joined in March, became super productive and launched Big Spoon in May. I honestly could not have done it without this place.

Have there been any surprises during your time at PLATF9RM so far?

The PLATF9RM members and staff are all so happy to share their skills, it really is amazing. I have definitely learnt a lot and made friends along the way. My unexpected surprise was being asked to supply treats to The Grounds...you can now find my Nonnie’s flapjacks (among other things) in the cafe!

You studied Patisserie at Leith’s School of Food and Wine in 2018. Was cooking something you always wanted to do for work or were you planning on doing something completely different?

I was TERRIBLE at baking! I owe a lot to the Hummingbird Bakery cookbooks, they taught me the basics and transformed by cakes from crispy looking biscuits to big fluffy ones! I was working in the Beauty industry but baking on the side for friends and family. It got to the point that I was getting a lot of requests so I applied to the council for a food hygiene rating so I could start to sell my cakes, that’s when I knew I wanted to bake full time. When the opportunity arose for me to study at Leith’s, I grabbed it and it was one of the best things I have ever done.

What drew you to living and working in Brighton?

I am from Yorkshire so moving to Brighton was a big deal for me! I was living in the countryside without a regular bus or a corner shop, and I’ll be honest, cities scared me! But Brighton doesn’t feel like a city at all, the people are amazing and it is so relaxed. When I first moved here I was commuting to London, which was terrifying, but Brighton felt like a great compromise. I have been here for almost 8 years now and I definitely consider it home, I don’t think I can ever move away from the sea now. 

Last question; What would be the cake of your dreams?

The cake of my dreams would be made by Katherine Sabbath...look at her Instagram...you will be obsessed. Raspberry sponge, layered with passion fruit curd, covered in swiss meringue buttercream and decorated with her coloured white chocolate studs. Delicious!