Just Gorjuss Cakes' Donna Magness on her talent

Cake artist Donna Magness is based at Just Gorjuss Cakes.

Customers usually approach Donna with something they have seen either on her Facebook page or elsewhere, and she tries to make them as realistic as possible.

She told The Bolton News: I’ve always been artistic.

“Sculpturing cakes is my favourite and air brushing them too because it brings them to life."

She added: “I love how every day is different and how people come in and you can do something really basic and simple and then the next day your mind is blown, and you think ‘how am I going to do that?’”

One of her most realistic looking cakes was an Amazon box, which fooled some.

Donna’s other realistic designs include Warburton's bread, a McDonald's meal, a clown head, and a bacon sandwich, which was her very first realistic cake that she tried.

The designs can make many hours to create

The clown head for example took 12 hours just to create the head

She added: “I can’t take credit for the clown head because I was taught how to do that by Carla Puig who is the most amazing artist.

“I had been wanting to work with her for many years, and we finally did, and she taught me how to do face structures.

“I don’t think you can ever stop learning.”

Donna has such a talent (Image: Public)

“I love how ever day is different and how people come in and you can do something really basic and simple and then the next day your mind is blown, and you think ‘how am I going to do that?’”

One of her most realistic looking cakes was an Amazon box, which has seriously fooled some.

Donna’s other realistic designs include Warburtons bread, a McDonalds meal, a clown head, and a bacon sandwich, which was her very first realistic cake that she tried.

A lot of hard work goes into making the cakes, which can be very time consuming.

The clown head for example took 12 hours just to create the head

She added: “I can’t take credit for the clown head because I was taught how to do that by Carla Puig who is the most amazing artist.

“I had been wanting to work with her for many years, and we finally did, and she taught me how to do face structures.

“I don’t think you can ever stop learning.”

Can you believe this is a cake? (Image: Public)

Donna  had hoped her cake designs in the window, just like the Netflix hit ‘Is it Cake?’, but because of the UV impact on cakes, it just wasn’t possible.

She added: “I love the show ‘Is it Cake?’ and I wanted to try that cake theme.

“The problem with this is that it becomes discoloured and fades after about a week if it’s in the window.”

She said cake design was  very much an art.

Donna said: “Gone are the days when you used your granny’s cake crimper.

“A lot tend to want to push the boundaries now.

“It’s an art skill, and not anybody can just do it.”

This is so convincing (Image: Public)

Her next goal is to try and master realistic looking cars.

Donna has had a business in Horwich for almost four years, and three years prior to that in Astley Bridge.

During lockdown, with many people heading online, Donna says that footfall has declined, and she would like to see more of this.

She said: “We are trying our best to do new things, but we need the support from the community.

“There is also a range of prices when it comes to our cakes for people who don’t want to get more expensive cakes and don’t want to go to the supermarket either.”

She used to teach in a school, but when she had her son, she decided to do something different, which is when she started taking evening classes at Bolton College.

Donna says she loves making cakes so much that she will even make some when she gets home from making cakes all day.

Donna said: “I am very blessed really.

“Even though it is a job I love it and it doesn’t feel like a job.

“When I get in, I have a look at YouTube and see how to do something else.

“I enjoy what I do, and not many people can say that.”

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