Hey there! I’m Mary and I LOVE good food

Hello! I’m Mary, 35, and I live in Bath, where the roses bloom early, the neighbors bring jam in the summer, and I’m known (proudly) as “The Pudding Lady.” I’ve always believed that pudding isn’t just the end of a meal, it’s an exclamation point. The thing people remember, the reason they smile on the way home.

My pudding journey began in my mother’s pantry, where the golden syrup was always sticky and the flour was kept in large perforated tins. She taught me that a proper dish cures almost everything, and that custard doesn’t work. I was the child who begged to lick the spoon, waited anxiously by the oven, and sometimes sneaked a spoonful of sugar without anyone noticing.

I never trained as a pastry chef—I was too clumsy to navigate queues and too ambitious. But I baked. Oh my God, did I bake it? Victoria sponge cakes, jam dripping down the sides, crumbs sizzling as they come out of the oven, treacle puddings so dark and glossy they look like polished wood. Over the years, I began sharing my creations at village celebrations and school fundraising events, and one day someone asked me, “Why don’t you teach people how to make these?” So I did.

Now, I run a small weekend pudding club from my own kitchen. It’s a peaceful place—six people maximum, tea is always available, and flour is dusted on every surface eventually. I teach classic British puddings with a touch of fantasy. Imagine the chaos of Eton, fragrant with elderflower in spring, spiced parkin in autumn, and mince pies that make you feel like a kid again come Christmas.

I think puddings are more than recipes—they’re memories. They’re Sunday lunches with my grandmother, the first cake I ever made, and the bribe I used to give after an argument. It’s love, plain and simple. My kitchen may not be spotless, and my pipes may wobble a little, but every bite is carefully prepared.

So, if you’re a home cook who enjoys hearing “lemon drizzle” or has strong opinions about whipped cream, we’ll be on the same page. Come back someday—I’ll make you something warm and sweet.

Feel free to reach out to us with any questions or suggestions at thelifecake.com, happy cooking