Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2017 | Page 107

Food and drink
Sweet new business for
Amy, in a nutshell
After many years of working in prestigious restaurants as a pastry chef and then
running her own cake-making business on the Island, Amy Lloyd is preparing for a
change of direction – but it still involves creating sweet delights.
Amy, whose business Splendid
Cake became known for supplying
stunning and delicious baked
creations for many Island
restaurants, cafés and special
birthdays and events, is now
turning her focus to an old-
fashioned favourite – nut brittle.
When she featured the crunchy
caramel and nut brittle as a
decoration on some of her cakes,
people couldn’t get enough of it,
which is why she decided there
was an opportunity to specialise.
Her Splendid Brittle is now
for sale as a branded line at
Island outlets such as farm
shops. Six flavours are available,
including straight pecan and
almond versions, plus interesting
combinations such as a Bakewell
(Raspberry and Almond) and
Pecan and Pistachio. Amy is always
experimenting and introducing
limited edition flavours.
Having moved production from
her cottage in the West Wight to a
fully equipped production unit at
Gatcombe, Amy says she realised
she had the capacity to go into a
larger-scale operation.
“Whilst I still love making cakes”
she said, “the brittle is something
I am really passionate about. I
always remember loving it when
I was younger and when I found
that family and friends loved my
version too, I felt there had to
be a market there. People seem
to love these old-fashioned,
nostalgic flavours
from childhood. It’s
just a little different
than the usual sweet
offerings, and that is
what I feel makes my
idea quite special”.
The classic crunchy
brittle will be
sold, amongst
other outlets, at
Brighstone village
shop, Gurnard
Press, Farmer Jack’s,
Brownriggs Farm
Shop, Toby’s of Cowes,
Yarmouth Harbour
Tourist Information
Centre as well as the
Garlic Farm – where Amy
previously worked as their
pastry chef.
Prior to that, she had
trained for two years at
the Isle of Wight Catering
College after school before
deciding to move to London
to work for Gary Rhodes at The
Greenhouse in Mayfair.
“It was there that I really
became hooked on everything
to do with patisserie and in fact
anything sweet” she says.
Now that sweet tooth has brought
her full circle, (Amy returned to the
Island in 2008) and she’s hopeful
that Splendid Brittle will be enjoyed
enough for her to explore her
plans to expand in the future with
plans to sell it online and ultimately
further afield.
“Yes it’s a bit naughty and a bit
of an indulgence because it’s
sweet – but it is a special treat and
everybody’s allowed a little one of
those from time to time!”
Contact Amy on 07762 935953
or you can visit her website at
www.splendidbrittle.co.uk
www. visitilife.com
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