A CAKE designer behind Huntington’s newest cafe has described it as an “out of the ashes” moment for her business.

Jo Millner - who runs Milliefox Cakes - first started decorating cakes as a hobby to help her cope with a stressful job in social care.

“It was for relaxation,” she told The Press.

But in October 2019, Jo followed her dream of turning cake decorating into a full time job.

The Woodthorpe resident opened a small studio in Nether Poppleton - with the brand’s popularity growing by the minute.

But when lockdown hit, Jo was “worried” about how she would get her business through the pandemic.

Jo said: “We had a little studio and we were doing cupcake parties for kids and celebration cakes.

“Then Covid kicked in and we had to cancel all our parties, all our weddings. We were a bit worried we were going to lose the business.

“We changed it a bit to do afternoon teas.”

Jo’s decision saw her delivering between 40 and 60 afternoon tea packages around York each day. Meanwhile customers were asking for more homemade treats like brownies.

Milliefox Cakes has now expanded in a move to the former York Against Cancer shop.

Jo already has a team of eight people with one more job left to fill.

The menu features gluten free, dairy free and vegan options each day.

Customers can also take part in cake decorating workshops and kids cupcake parties.

Jo said: “It’s gone from a tiny, little one room studio to 10 people in this massive building. It’s definitely out of the ashes since Covid.

York Press: Jo is pictured behind the cake and coffee counter.

“We didn’t have enough space in our old place and we moved. It has been so well received in Huntington.

“We usually have people walking through from Strensall. Their only complaint is that we didn’t open in Strensall.

“We do lots of homemade cakes so there’s a massive selection of cakes and brownies. We do light bites. We obviously do a full breakfast. We’re going to change the menu mid November for the other menu, so things like soup with crusty bread.”