Our Journey
Welcome to Gillespies Couture Cakes, where every cake is a piece of art. Our journey into baking began back in 2017, and we’ve loved every moment of it.
From Humble Beginnings
We originally started our journey as Once Upon a Tier, a name many of our long-time customers may still remember. Our first days were spent on the vibrant local market scene, sharing our very first bakes at the Quayside Market in Newcastle, overlooking the River Tyne, before travelling to markets across Northumberland — from Morpeth Market to Blyth, our hometown.
Those early days built the foundations of everything we are today: creativity, community, and a passion for bringing people together through baking.
Growing Our Passion
The incredible support we received from our market customers allowed us to grow, and we were proud to open our very own shops in Wallsend and Blyth. During this time, we also expanded our reach by supplying our bakes as a trade partner to other fantastic local businesses, sharing our passion for quality across the region.
As our business evolved, so did our creativity. We began focusing more on luxury celebration cakes, developing the signature couture style that Gillespies Couture Cakes is now known for.
More Than Cakes
Today, Gillespies Couture Cakes is not only about creating stunning handcrafted cakes — it’s also about inspiring others to discover the joy of cake decorating for themselves.
We’ve taken an exciting new direction by launching our own cake decorating classes and experiences, giving people the opportunity to learn the skills, techniques, and creativity behind our designs. From fun social events to hands-on decorating workshops, we love bringing people together and helping them create something beautiful.
Our Focus Today
From those early market stalls to couture cakes and creative classes, our commitment has always remained the same — artistry, elegance, passion, and love in every bake.
Whether you’re ordering a bespoke cake, attending one of our classes, or simply following our journey, we’re so grateful to have you as part of the Gillespies story.