consultant
Consultant
working across design, food & visual storytelling
working across design, food
& visual storytelling
About
I’m a creative consultant working at the intersection of design, food and visual storytelling. I bring together imagination and strategic thinking to create ideas that reimagine what food can be.
It was this distinctive approach that made my work stand out and led me to win The Great British Bake Off.
I trained in Textile Design, specialising in print and illustration and went on to work across the creative industries in the UK and Canada. That design background continues to shape how I think about food.
Today, I collaborate with brands and organisations including Fortnum & Mason, M&S, Cadbury, Yeo Valley, Sipsmith, Tate, The Design Museum, Sony Music and the BBC. I am also the author of Quinntessential Baking, published by Bloomsbury.
I see food as a creative medium. One that sparks surprise, inspires fresh thinking and brings products and campaigns to life in unexpected ways.
What I do
My work spans concept, innovation and creative execution.
Concept & Campaign Development: Generating original ideas for product launches, brand storytelling and campaigns.
Product & Flavour Innovation: Developing recipes, testing and refining ideas into products aligned with a brand’s identity.
Brand Identity & Illustration: Creating visual identities, bespoke illustrations and design-led concepts that shape how brands are seen and understood.
Visual Storytelling & Edible Art: Bringing ideas to life through food styling and edible installations for photography, film, campaigns and events.
Creative Direction & Collaboration: Working with innovation and marketing teams to shape concepts and products from early ideas through to launch.
The format changes from project to project, but the intention remains the same: to create work that sparks joy, emotion and connection.
Approach
My approach is design-led, collaborative and hands-on.
Visual Thinking: I start with a visual approach, using research, sketching and mood boards to shape ideas early and help brands see their products in new ways.
Embedded Collaboration: I work closely with in-house teams, joining at any stage, from early ideas to moments where a fresh perspective is needed.
Creative Execution: I create work that is considered and distinctive, grounded in a clear creative and strategic purpose. Whether developing ideas behind the scenes or leading creative direction.
Every project begins with curiosity and ends with something memorable.
Clients
Portfolio
Case studies
cake designs
Colour, texture, petals and pearls and a whole lot of joy in one bake 🌈
This cake was created for Gill, a truly special friend of my partners family, who’ve also become like family to me. It needed to make its way down to Herefordshire during Storm Claudia, a technical challenge in itself! But I’m delighted to say it survived the journey and was both a surprise and a delight for Gills birthday celebration🤗
Inside: lemon and vanilla sponge with Chantilly lemon cream, plus layers of raspberry and clementine jam — bright, fresh flavours to match the colours on the outside. An experiment in colour play and composition via cake🎂🍊🌸🍋🌿 #cakeportfolio
Chocolate & Peanut Galaxy Cake 💫
A cake created for my lovely friend @chloeruth85 surprise birthday via a design I’ve had in my head for a little while now, finally brought to life ✨
Chloe loves all things chocolate (especially all things Galaxy 🤎) and peanut butter, so the cake itself was made up by three layers of rich chocolate sponge, sandwiched with a DIY @manilife_ peanut butter fudge ganache and covered in whipped chocolate buttercream.
The decoration became my way of turning confectionery into jewellery and gems, something I’ve wanted to explore for ages. Squares of @galaxyuk milk chocolate, Minstrels and Counters were set like edible stones, with peanuts acting as more gems and accents. My favourite metallic sprinkles from @happysprinkles_official added the final sparkle, catching the light like little treasures.
I made it while listening to the new @taylorswift album and by the time it was finished, I had a whole playlist of new cake and bake ideas inspired by this method…💡
I’d love to know, which track from ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ you’re loving most and which chocolate or sweet should I transform next?!💎🍬
#ChocolateCake #PeanutButterCake #EdibleArt #CakeDesign #CreativeBaking #CakeInspiration #BakingAndDesign #EdibleJewels #ConfectioneryArt #TheArtOfCake
#BakingPlaylist #taylorswiftbakes
#cakeportfolio
A fresh floral twist on the classic princess cake 🌸
I made this for a summer event with @bloomandco and alongside the main cake, created an assortment of cupcakes. Rather than the traditional marzipan rose, I topped both the Princess cake with a fresh rose and flowers from the wonderful @livscottflowers It felt like such a lovely way to bring something a bit unexpected to a timeless bake.
Since then, it’s sparked a few more ideas for reimagining the princess cake✨ It really does make a beautiful centrepiece for weddings, christenings or birthdays.
Have you ever tried one? Or is it still on your cake wish list?💖
#PrincessCake #BespokeBakes #FloralCupcakes #EnglishGardenBakes #cakeportfolio
Earlier this month I had the joy of creating this wedding cake for Matilda & Henry. They wanted something natural and magical and their daughter had one special request…that it be unicorn-themed🦄. Hence the pastel details, buttercream ruffles, and the unicorn perched proudly on top. Enhanced by the most beautiful flowers provided by their florist @garden.stories13 🌺
Inside, three tiers of flavour: lemon sponge with blackcurrant & raspberry filling, rich chocolate and a brown sugar sponge, all wrapped in vanilla buttercream.
It was a hot, hot day in the marquee, but the cake thank fully survived on the cake stand and signature tree trunk! I loved assembling and decorating it while hearing the ceremony take place in the background. Such a special moment for a very special cake and celebration 💖
#WeddingCake #UnicornCake #MagicalWedding #ButtercreamCake #FloralCake #WeddingInspo #CakeInspiration #WeddingDetails #WeddingSeason #WeddingStyle #CakeDesign #WeddingFlorals #CreativeCake #FairytaleWedding #CakesOfInstagram #cakeportfolio #weddingcakeportfolio
I had the absolute joy of creating this cosmic cake for Ziggy’s first birthday — commissioned by his lovely parents Zeena & Zach. The flavour was a three-layer brown sugar and vanilla sponge, filled with raspberry jam and layered with vanilla Swiss meringue buttercream.
The outside was decorated in a blue night-sky Swiss meringue buttercream, scattered with piped royal icing stars, sprinkles, edible planets, mini disco balls, and finished with a hand-painted rocket inspired by the beautiful invite design @heartzeena had created for the party. It was a total treat to bring it all to life, from the moodboard to the finished cake 🎂
The party itself was full of joy, colourful garlands, party hats, the loveliest touches everywhere. Have Zach @paperandwood_ to thank for capturing such brilliant photos 📸 Including the one of me chatting to one of Zeena’s sister and sharing my favourite London bakeries. I think if you zoomed in enough, the photo on my phone would show the @aromebakerylondon honey butter toast masterpiece!
So much love and creativity went into this celebration — Happy 1st birthday Ziggy, you are a real little superstar ⭐️🚀
#1stBirthday #BirthdayCake #CreativeCakes #SpaceCake #RocketCake #GalaxyCake #CakeInspo #CelebrationCake #LayerCakeLove #SwissMeringueButtercream #PlanetCake #EdibleArt #OuterSpaceParty #PartyInspo #ZiggysFirstBirthday #BespokeBakes #CakeDesign #CakeDecorator #PartyDetails #QuintessentialBaking #cakeportfolio
A Delft-dream birthday cake for the wonderful @naomidenziloe 30th @oslocourt 🎀 Inspired by the restraunts interior and beautiful blue and white ceramic horse that took centre stage, I hand painted a giant fondant bow to echo its intricate pattern. Complete with edible pearls, fresh pink roses and a touch of theatrical flourish. Inside, three layers of vanilla sponge, sweetened mascarpone cream, raspberry jam and pink buttercream. A cake fit for a queen and a truly special celebration 🎂
#BirthdayCake #30thBirthday #CakeArt #DelftInspired #FondantBow #CustomCakes #VanillaSponge #CakeDesign #OsloCourt #MascarponeFilling #FloralCake #FrancesQuinnCakes #EdibleArt #CelebrationCake #cakeportfolio
Contact
I work with brands, agencies and organisations looking for fresh thinking and creative ideas around food.
Whether you have a brief or are looking for a longer-term collaboration, I’d love to hear about your project.
Let’s work together and bring new ideas to life…
Email: hello@francesquinn.co.uk