GOING gluten-free and sticking to vegan meals was more than just a lifestyle choice for one master baker – it was a ticket to good health.

Helen Ducker, aged 38, from Edgworth, developed a host of chronic illnesses following her pregnancy. Over several years she was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, Coeliac disease and a form of arthritis called Ankylosing Spondilytis.  Mrs Ducker, mum to Sam, aged seven and Isabelle, aged four, eventually enrolled at the Viva Mayr Clinic in Vienna.

She said: “They strip your diet back and train you how to eat.”

After being diagnosed as Coeliac, Mrs Ducker did not want to be left out of her son’s birthday party and embarked on making a gluten-free Thomas the Tank Engine cake.  While this did not go to plan she caught the baking bug and quickly found she had a flair for creative cake making.  Her skills with cake decoration have led her to open a new cake shop in The Last Drop Village in Bromley Cross

At Helen Ducker Cake Design she creates bespoke cakes and says she focuses on the “elegant, quirky and colourful” designs and specialises in gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan cakes.  She also plans to offer classes in cake decoration and gluten-free and vegan baking. 

The shop launches on Saturday at The Last Drop off Hospital Road and there will be demonstrations and tasters throughout the day from 10am to 3.30pm.  To find out more ring the shop on 01204 602867 or visit her Facebook page: Helen Ducker Cake Design.