The Local Link: Baked by Rosie

Buckingham, like many market towns, is powered by independent businesses who are brave enough to take a chance. Not every success story starts with a shop on the high street. Sometimes, it starts in a kitchen, with a mixing bowl, late nights, and a bit of courage.

At the heart of that story is Rosie, founder of Baked by Rosie, a home-grown business that’s quickly become one of Buckingham’s worst-kept secrets.

Rosie didn’t set out to create a sell-out cake shed. It started simply baking for friends and family. Birthday cakes for her mum. Celebration cakes for friends. Little requests that slowly turned into regular orders. Word spread, and before long, something that began as a hobby started to grow into something much bigger.

In December, Rosie decided to take the leap. She stepped away from her career and went full-time with baking. It wasn’t an easy decision leaving behind a steady job, security, and a pension, but the demand for her cakes was there.

“I just thought… I’m going to give it a go.”

She registered her kitchen, set everything up properly, and made it official.

When the cake shed first opened, Rosie made 50 bakes. Less than a year later, she’s now preparing at least 200 for each opening weekend, and it still sells out.

“I genuinely can’t believe this is my job now.”

But what really makes Baked by Rosie special isn’t just how busy it is – it’s the heart behind it.

Rosie’s grandmother, who was a fantastic baker, inspired her love of being in the kitchen. One of her caramel cakes is named after her, with profits going to charity – a lovely way of keeping that family connection alive.

She also stocks local jam, honey and juice from nearby producers. It’s a small touch, but it turns the cake shed into more than just a place to buy cakes, it feels like a celebration of other local businesses too.

A high street shop? It’s something she’s thought about. She admits she sometimes drives through Buckingham imagining what that could look like one day. But for now, the cake shed works perfectly. It keeps things personal, manageable, and connected to the community that’s supported her from the start.

Rosie’s advice to anyone thinking about starting something of their own?

“Don’t hold back. You just never know.”

From 50 bakes to 200. From a maternity leave idea to a full-time business. From a quiet cul-de-sac to queues at the door.

This is only the beginning for Baked by Rosie – and Buckingham clearly can’t get enough.