Ally’s pride!

Entrepreneurial baker Ally Bradley is on a fact-finding mission in the kingdom to find ideas for her upcoming cookbook, which focuses on nutrition and healthy living.

The former St Christopher’s School pupil who now lives in the English seaside town of Salcombe, in Devon, is aiming to promote her organic fare and inspire people to eat healthily with recipes from around the world.

Her brand, Kiss me Cake, has a simple ethos – no preservatives or artificial flavouring and only quality ingredients. Ally, 32, said: “I’ve always had a passion for baking, which I picked up from my grandmother.

“I’m always on the lookout for new recipes and have gotten some great ideas here in Bahrain while visiting family and friends.”

Dad Paul, 64, who works for an oil company, and mum Maria, 54, live in Saar, a place Ally still describes as ‘home’.

“There’s no place else in the world like Bahrain, I grew up here and I’m excited to bring back a part of it to the UK,” she added.

Ally currently makes her tasty treats from home, but is set to open up shop later this year to coincide with the book launch. The book, Kiss Me Cake, Bake and Shake, also includes sections on Ally’s travels and the people she has met along the way along with tips on everything from yoga to health.

“If my shop in the UK takes off, I’d love to expand and open a franchise in Bahrain, it’s such a wonderful place,” she said.

In true expat fashion, Ally grew up in several different places including Greece, Switzerland and Bahrain, which has given her palette a broad spectrum, an essential asset for a baker.

She also prides herself on using local ingredients; in fact, her eggs are sourced from a nine-year-old boy who runs his own mini-business selling eggs from his own chickens after school.

It’s these little local touches that make the big difference, according to Ally. She said: “I like to use ingredients from people I know, local farmers and producers so I know exactly what I’m working with. Plus it’s a great way to support the community too.

“During my time in Bahrain I’ve been trying to arrange sourcing for some fantastic ingredients I’ve found here that I plan to work with back in the UK, Bahrain is always an inspiration.

“The recent cupcakes I made and experimented with in Bahrain were Rose-flavoured cupcakes and date cupcakes, using ingredients I bought from the local Saturday market in Budaiya that is so good and popular with locals and expats alike.

“That’s where I bought my duck eggs and chicken eggs, all organic and locally hatched! Apart from those two I have experimented with making raw cakes using local nuts, mint and raspberry with no cooking involved and with no butter, eggs, sugar or flour!

“My trip to Bahrain has been great as I got to experiment first-hand and also meet the locals who sell these yummy goods!

“It is important for me to include my Arabian menu in my book and online shop to encourage Westerners to try out more delights instead of the standard chocolate, vanilla and strawberry cupcakes.”

Ally’s baking prowess is not limited to simply cupcakes, she also makes a wide selection of biscuits, cookies, muesli as well as smoothies and juices.
For more details, visit www.kiss-me-cake.co.uk