You may have spotted him out and about delivering cakes across Frome: Here is his lockdown story.

When the lockdown was imposed across the UK earlier this year my initial response was one of shock and confusion. Instinctively trying to see the bright-side amidst the daunting reality that it was going to be a hard and uncertain time for many, I tried to stay loyal to my daily mantra; laugh (as much as possible), dance (whenever possible) and eat (Cake)!

However it soon started to dawn on me that laughter, dance and cake would not be enough to distract myself from the difficult reality we were all facing. I realised I had an opportunity to be a part of spreading joy amongst a community I've grown to love since moving to Frome from London many years ago. As I began to come to terms with the new restrictions, I also began to recognise a community who not too long ago thrived on visiting Frome's markets, treating themselves to what the stalls had to offer and enjoying the bustle of friendly faces and delicious food. As a community, we were now all dealing with a less than ideal turn of events and what better way to lighten the mood than cake!

Knowing there was something I could do to help was a big motivation, plus doing what I love along the way only spurred me on further. The smiles on peoples faces when they were given their variety boxes was the icing on the cake.

Over the first few days of lockdown and deliveries, I left my flat with boundless energy. Nothing in the world would top the feeling of fresh air against my skin, especially now we were being told to stay inside, being outside felt like a privilege. Setting off on a bicycle each afternoon, I felt that a box of my cakes could be the highlight of someones day, which was enough to keep my smile beaming. I worked tirelessly daily, putting all my energy and love into each cake. It gave me a great sense of joy smelling the infusion of my passion and the natural healthy ingredients as I pulled each cake out of the oven.

In amongst all the new guidelines to keep us all safe, human kindness shone bright and I felt determined to spread this around. Feeling moved enough to offer freshly made cakes to my neighbours; sensing that many may be vulnerable or alone at this time, unable to reach their usual daily comforts in the outside world. I longed to share with them a gesture of goodwill and hope, represented in my cakes, in what felt like an increasingly stressful time. Myself, like many, had moments of feeling fed up and isolated (with no garden), so basically it helped me to be able to relate to others in similar circumstances. Feeling lucky enough to be in a position where I was healthy and also reminding myself often, although we may not all be in the same boat as such, we were all riding the same storm.

A month or so in, I found myself working longer and longer hours, tirelessly baking and preparing orders to the backdrop of Stevie Wonder or Fleetwood Mac; and indie artists such as Nick Mulvey and Ben Howard. Plus any and all classic hip hop of course! Staying on my feet for to 6/7 hours, plus completing the deliveries around Frome for up to a further 4/5 hours was physically demanding to say the least. But also great fun and it helped keep my mind from wandering back to all the negative news. My goal from the beginning was to inspire joy through the medium of beautiful food, prioritising to help those in the vulnerable category and stuck indoors during this strange pandemic. However people's kindness and support helped me keep going, as the more stringent restrictions were being introduced. Continuing to deliver joy in the only way I knew, adding new flavours to my recipes and always delivering with a smile, it felt like the best way to keep myself and my customers positive (at a distance).

Having began my business journey just over one year ago, I've been baking cakes for over half my life. Experiencing a few hiccups along the way but ultimately learning from my mistakes, and also learning to feel a great sense of satisfaction and accomplishment in knowing I can build on the past in order to create a better future. As my young nephew would quote, "Genius is 1% inspiration and 99 % perspiration'' (Thomas Edison).

Things started to turn a corner after about three years of baking my signature Chocolate Almond Mousse Cake, which I made religiously every Friday for the local dance community. After we'd all danced together, I'd look forward to their feedback which was always most encouraging and complimentary, and eventually gave me the confidence to pursue the next stage in my growing venture. My love of baking developed from a hobby into a business and it was an adventurous leap, having run my own business as a Personal Trainer in London for 3 years prior, I did have some experience to draw upon, obtaining a respectable knowledge of nutrition and fitness. Which would go on to help me compile tasty recipes, promoting good health using delicious ingredients found in everyday life. Past experiences, paired with my passion for food and interest in a healthy body and mind helped give me the final push to pursue what was later to become 'Liam's Cakes'. I started experimenting with new recipes and after much trial and error, eventually presented my new creations at the Frome Saturday market.

Running a stall on Saturday was a new and nerve wracking experience, especially on the days things didn't go to plan. Although overall I felt great, there were times when things weren't easy, as there often is when you start something new. And when my dog sadly passed away in January, suddenly my whole world fell apart. There were days when I questioned myself and whether or not I had enough strength to get up in the morning. Persisting with my baking suddenly felt less urgent. And battling with the harsh reality of being in a dark place was now most present. But prompted by the heartache of losing my best friend Kyro, who I'd spent over half my life with, I decided that giving up was simply not an option.

So slowly getting back on my feet and into the kitchen again, I began experimenting with more new creations. Getting back on my feet helped reignite my 'cake making' flame which admittedly was beginning to burn out. However baking helped heal some of the grief I was struggling to deal with and helped me come to terms with the loss.

It wasn't long before my luck started to change, and I was offered a fantastic opportunity to present my cakes at the Monthly Farmers Market at the Cheese and Grain, whilst also doing the street market on the weeks in between. The unconditional love I had for Kyro alongside the incomparable pain my entire family felt through losing him will forever empower me to live for everyday. Overcoming such loss gave me a renewed energy and a newfound motivation to persevere beyond what I'd already achieved. From the moment I started making that Chocolate Almond Mousse Cake, I've never lost my initial drive to keep moving forwards. My cake ranges and flavours grew as did my customer base, despite still having this conflicted feeling inside that there must be something more.

When lockdown struck, I was limited to deliveries, which got me wondering whether this was the unique set of circumstances I'd been waiting for? Having mixed feelings about this, especially when so many people were dealing with such contrasting thoughts, I shared their apprehension of the unknown but also saw it as an opportunity to combat the fear and confusion that had been thrust upon us.

Although working long hours for seven days a week on my own, whilst pushing myself to the absolute max, I always felt very aware of the suffering going on in the world and the difficult situations people were now having to get used to. Of course, delivering cakes is by no means saving lives, but it offers a different kind of comfort. Food is a wonderful, mind altering thing, especially cakes. Cakes hold a nostalgia many of us find comfort in, a comfort we never get tired of returning to, especially when times are hard. I love being able to use my cakes to bring people together, to share experiences and to move forward in the world together. Food is essential in any crisis and I was happy to help.

Giving special thanks to my very generous friend Mahesh to whom I am particularly grateful. Throughout Lockdown Mahesh has kindly lent me his electric bike, or as we now like to call it "The Famous Yellow Bike'! Liam's Cakes would never have been able to reach the lengths of Frome without his ongoing support. Reminding myself daily how lucky I am to call him a friend and so forever sending massive love and respect to Mahesh for all he has done for me!

I'm also very grateful to my sister Coral, who lives in London, she's been shielding at home with her young son Jamie. Luckily, she has much better knowledge than me when it comes to ordering affordable, quality produce and packaging online. Simply never quite having the time or head space away from the kitchen to do this, I'm super grateful for her help, alongside the rest of my family for supporting me in many ways from the very start.

Some days keeping Liam's Cakes alive and thriving has been a challenge. Without a fluid income a small independent business like mine simply wouldn't survive, so without a doubt I'm also extremely grateful to all my lovely customers for supporting Liam's Cakes! It's been truly amazing and very humbling.

Drinking in all the elation from all the support amidst lockdowns limitations both practically and emotionally has been a blessing in disguise and opened up many surprising opportunities. It's been an unforgettable experience which I will be eternally grateful for. Never in a million years would I have guessed a 'Lockdown' being the turning point in bringing the positive momentum Liam's Cakes as a small business has been searching for all along.

Today I continue to work towards my dream of one day opening up my own Cake shop in Frome. Endeavouring to spend my days baking accompanied by the legendary music of funk master James Brown in the background. I hope to one day greet local customers with a smile and continue to spread joy through my love of baking healthy, delicious cakes. In the meantime, my aim is to continue delivering cakes around Frome whilst also hosting a stall at the weekly Saturday market, long past this pandemic. Through these unpredictable and uncertain times, in the words of my lovely new customers, quite simply, 'People need cake'.