Having first opened in 2012 as a coffee corner in her family’s hardware shop, Kelly Lou Cakes in Portlaoise is now known across Leinster for their stunning and tasty creations.

We spoke to Kelly on her baking journey, Laois roots and the struggles within the hospitality sector.

“I had just finished college after studying business and retail, and I had always worked in the family business,” said Kelly Lou Ging, owner of Kelly Lou Cakes told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

“I have always loved baking, I grew up baking with my Mam, and I got permission from my dad and my grandad to run a coffee corner in the hardware shop. It all just grew from there,” she explained.

Pictured: Kelly Lou Ging

With the hospitality industry currently unstable, Kelly Lou maintains that trends must be followed to avoid growing stale.

“When we opened, Ireland was only starting to follow the baking trends that were huge in America, cupcakes became very trendy at the time,” she explained.

“With the cakes and even treats in the cafe, we are constantly experimenting and developing the menu. People get bored very quickly, and you really have to keep up with the trends on Instagram and Tiktok to keep people interested,” she said.

“Gender reveal cakes have become very popular in the last few years, all of those American trends are starting to come here. Years ago a baby shower would never have been heard of here, and now everyone is having them,” said Kelly Lou.

One delicious dessert from Kelly Lou's bakery

“It’s a very tough business to be in at the moment. Anyone in hospitality can tell you that. Between the different costs and VAT changes, it’s difficult. We all just want to stay afloat and keep going,” the baker explained.

Kelly Lou has a special love for wedding cakes, and through her fantastic team taking care of other orders, she can focus on wedding cakes herself.

“The weddings would now be a big side of the business, I do all of the wedding cakes myself. I love putting my time and effort into them,” she said.

Kelly Lou has two young boys, Miles and Alfie, and regularly bakes with them.

“Miles is still a baby, but Alfie is great for helping- it can be messy though! But he loves coming into the bakery,” she said.

“We are lucky, because there are always birthdays throughout the year, and celebrations like Valentine’s Day and Communions keep us busy!” Kelly Lou finished.

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