For me baking is something I have done my whole life, my Grandfather was from Switzerland and was a chef and a chocolatier. He passed down a passion for food to my mother, who passed it onto me. I used to spend large amounts of the school holidays in the kitchen, initially with my mother and then by myself creating cakes and pastries for anyone who happened to be around.
As I was fairly academic at school I decided to study architecture and then worked in fashion, but baking was always something I did with my free time. After becoming disillusioned with the fashion industry I was looking for a new challenged and decided to apply to Le Cordon Bleu. I chose the school for three reasons; I could study just pastry singularly and not alongside cuisine, I could start my training in Paris, a city I love and finish it in London my home city and finally and most importantly because it is the most internationally respected culinary school. It was at Le Cordon Bleu that I fell in love with chocolate. I adore the way that when handled properly you can create delicious glossy masterpieces. I also learnt the importance of doing things properly and finishing everything to the most exacting standards
Upon graduating I did a brief stint in a Michelin Starred restaurant but quickly realized that it wasn’t for me. Though this time I continued to feed countless samples of my new chocolate ideas to grateful friends and family, who always wanted more, and I realized that I could turn my chocolates into a business. I started online and pop up shops which received fantastic press coverage from the likes of the Sunday Times Magazine, the Observer Magazine and Elle Decoration. Eight months ago we opened the first boutique in Shoreditch and now have a client list including; Space NK, Jimmy Choo and YSL beauty to name just a few.
Visit Caitlin's boutique: Paxton Chocolate or follow her @paxtonchocolate on Twitter and Facebook.
