A conversation with Megan Frances, professional dancer and owner of Megsy Bakes.

3 Min Read

Megsy Bakes is a bespoke baking service, a lock down project founded by Megan Frances, she creates everything from homemade cookies to exquisite wedding cakes all with a timeless elegance; “whilst baking the classics, I love experimenting with new flavours and using my artistic side to create beautiful designs.”

Baking has always been a passion of Megan’s, having learnt from her mum and ‘Nanny Peggy’ at a young age, “I remember being in the kitchen with my mum, making jam tarts with the leftover pastry, asking her what I could do to help. I was always so excited to make sausage rolls with my Nanny Peggy (which are on my Afternoon Tea menu.)” But it wasn’t until she sustained a catastrophic injury that she pursued her love of baking.

At just 15, Megan attended Vocational Ballet School in Birmingham and from there, a professional career in dance, performing all over the world. In November 2018, when rehearsing for a Christmas event in Norfolk, Megan did a high kick and felt her knee buckle underneath her. Falling to the floor, she knew something bad had happened.

“I did a high kick and I just felt my knee go...”
Megan Frances

Having torn her anterior cruciate ligament Megan spent the year after recovering. Worse was to follow exactly a year later, after going back into dancing, she tore her knee in the same place. It was a devastating blow.

"I get to help their vision come to life, it’s really special.”
Megan Frances

Feeling lost, Megan found solace in her other love, baking. Timing her surgery just before lockdown she says, “it gave me more time to focus on myself, my needs, my recovery and obviously other hobbies, one of which was baking...”

Spending her time in the kitchen, she baked. Realising she could no longer eat it all herself, she began selling her creations. For Megan, it’s not just about baking; it’s about building rapport. “My favourite part about baking is creating a relationship with a customer, they have a vision and I get to help their vision come to life, it’s really special.”

“You have to trust the timing.”
Megan Frances

So, after a performing worldwide she went from Ballet to Bakes. Megan says that training has helped with her baking, it has to be right. “I will not allow a customer to have a cake that I'm not happy with.” She is a true believer that the universe does have a plan and at the time when it doesn't seem like it, you just have to trust the timing.

Learn more about Megsy Bakes here: NorfolkCake Maker | MegsyBakes