An Edinburgh cake designer turned heads at this weekend’s wedding fair at Murrayfield stadium after creating a tongue in cheek cake that took aim at under-fire prime minister Boris Johnson.
Alicks Anderson Fraser, 36, from Murrayfield and who runs Licks Cake Design, confesses that he is not all that into politics himself but after discovering that the the leader of the UK was “essentially ambushed by a cake”, he felt he had to do something about it.
Last Tuesday, Northern Ireland minister Conor Burns, a long-standing ally of the prime minister, told Channel 4 News that: "“He was, in a sense, ambushed with a cake", when questioned on an alleged gathering inside No. 10 that breached lockdown rules for the PM's birthday.
As a result, Alicks went about creating a cake to draw attention to his stand at the fair but he says that he wanted to keep it within the wedding style so that political nuts could get a feel for his range whilst also having a laugh.
The cake appears in classic wedding style with three tiers and white, black and grey colouring used.
On the bottom tier a No. 10 Downing Street door has been placed with a sign warning those nearby “Don’t get ambushed with a cake.”
On the design, Alicks said: “I just randomly came up with the idea after seeing the news last week. I ran it by the man who runs the shop next to me who knows a lot about politics and he thought it was a good idea.
“I thought I’d concentrate on the headline of ‘ambushed by a cake’ as I wanted to do something subtle but not a novelty cake. So it had to look like a wedding cake with grey, white and black with number ten being used. We had thought of a garden party theme to add to it but it may be a bit too far.
“With the topic being in the news I thought how can we take advantage of this for a bit of PR and a bit of a laugh.
“I was surprised at first as not many people noticed it but there is a lot to take in at these fairs. But when people did a round two it started to stand out and it has generated a wee bit of business for me. I was worried folk would be offended but I got a fantastic reaction and lots of folk put it online.
“Everything I do is custom made - from the inside of the cake to the outside. I have not come across a design or specified allergy requirement that I cannot do.
“Some of the more adventurous cakes I’ve been asked to create have been a 12 inch vagina cake every week for the vagina monologues during the Fringe as well as a Mr and Mrs Minion wedding cake.
“I’m always up for new ideas and often get people saying we have a strange or unusual design and I love that.
“One of the most memorable cakes I remember making was a seven tier cake for the equality network as well as for a couple who were the first males to be married to one another in Scotland through in Glasgow. Was really nice to be there to support both campaigns.
“For anyone after cake designs or requests I would urge for you to look at our Facebook or Website as well as our Instagram - although I must admit I’m still learning how to navigate the Gram.”
Alicks has also branched into the world of wedding photography with a side business called ‘Henderson Row wedding photography’ - you can inquire about this service here.
You can find out more about the cakes and various designs on their website here or alternatively through their Facebook here or via email at: info@lickscakedesign.co.uk.
