Spotlight on – Made on the Sofa

This week we shine the spotlight on our resident baker Rachel and her local business – Made on the Sofa. Rachel’s Themes cakes not only look fantastic but they taste amazing too – we dare you to try and just have one without going back for more!

What’s your name and where do you come from?

Rachel, and I’m originally from Rochdale but now live in Bury with my husband and two sons.

What do you do at OKS events?

I sell cakes and biscuits to help give everyone the energy they need to dance the afternoon away!

Which three words best describe you and why?

Loving, caring and tired! There’s nothing I love more than being with my friends and family, helping and supporting them anyway I can. My wedding day was the best day ever as I was surround by everyone I love the most. Tired, as I have a very active 2 year old and 9 month old and the 9 month old likes to wake lots in the night!

What are your top tips for keeping the family entertained in the North West?

Join lots of Facebook groups. I follow or like everything from farms to festivals and soft play to parks so I’m aware of any events going on. If I see an event I can’t attend, I like the page so I get any further notifications of anything similar happening there.

Also, prepare for all weathers and take snacks!!!

Have you been to any great festivals or are there any you want to get to?

We loved Geronimo in 2017, there is so much to do we plan to go again this year. It’s great for all ages and hopefully in the future we’ll camp as you can’t get round it all in one day. I’d like to go to Just So sometime too. Local events are also great, Tottington’s Big Day Out in Bury, and I have friends that go to Festwich every year.

What is on the kitchen disco play-list in your house?

I love music but I actually tend to listen to the radio in the kitchen. I like to hear current new music, and I’m very much into my pop music so the radio works. I very rarely get to watch the news so I like to be able to hear a bit of what’s going on in the world! (Wow, I’ve gotten old!)

What’s your favourite place for a knees up without the nippers?

Bed?! Without the knees up and lots of sleep? 😂 other than that, Castlefield in the city centre. I love sitting outside Dukes on a sunny day with barges going through the lock on the canal, drink in hand.

What was the first album / single you bought and what format did you buy it on?

I hope I don’t lose custom for this….my first album was Jason Donovan’s Greatest Hits on tape! And my first single was on CD and it was Tubthumping by Chumbawumba 😂 That’s right folks… ‘I get knocked down, but I get up again, you’re never gonna keep me down’

What would be your band T-shirt of choice?

I may lose even more custom now….. it would have to be The Spice Girls. Yes I saw their reunion tour in 2008 and yes I’m hoping to see the next one if it happens!

What is your favourite cake recipe for baking at home with the kids?

A simple Victoria sponge/cupcake recipe. There’s enough different things for them to do – sieve the flour, crack the eggs but quick enough before they get bored.

Same for shortbread, three ingredients and my son likes cutting out the shapes, especially if they’re dinosaurs!

What is your ultimate place to go and eat cake and which cake is your fave?

Slattery’s in Whitefield, Bury – when you can get a table! They have a great cafe, where the mains are as good as the desserts, and an amazing shop selling a whole host of cake and chocolate goodness. I’m booked in to do their chocolate challenge in a few months! You get something like a wedge of chocolate fudge cake, two pots made of chocolate, filled with liquid chocolate, chocolate ice cream and a hot chocolate!!!

And my favourite cake, mmm it’s a close call between birthday cake and carrot cake! Birthday cake I think!

What is the best thing about OKS events?

That it brings together so many family activities under one roof. My son still plays with some of the things he’s made there, and always loves having a bit of a dance and the space to run around! You see the same families coming back and so get a real sense of a little community.

And I can have a drink and a little dance (if all the cakes have sold and I can make it to the dance floor!) as obviously with kids you don’t get to go out much and I miss dancing!