I want to be a household name, says Togher baker, 25, who has shop in Midleton

They say that behind every successful man, there is a woman.

In master baker Ciarán Walsh’s case, he is very fortunate to have three women behind him, ing him, encouraging him, and egging him on in his new business, Crumbs And Cream, in Midleton.

Ciarán gives me a warm welcome and a firm handshake, and I tell him I thought pastry needed a light touch!

“Making pastry is all about practising,” says Ciarán. “Practice makes perfect. And yes, the less handling, the better.”

When the 25-year-old, of Togher, watched his grandmother and mother bake delicious staples, such as apple tarts, rice crispy buns and fairy cakes at home in the kitchen, he got the bug.

“My missus, Larrisa, encouraged me and ed me all the way when I wanted to open my own business,” says Ciarán. “She was great.”

Larrisa, from Limerick, is not officially Ciarán’s missus just yet. “But she will be some day soon!” he vows.

Back in the day, he developed a huge interest in baking.

“And I’d always jump in at Christmas and help with the prep and cooking,” says Ciarán, who worked as a chef after he graduated from culinary college.

“Baking and cooking were always my ion,” adds Ciarán.

“After college, I worked in Vienna Woods for three years and then I did a stint in the Marina Market with Poulet Vous.

“I loved the atmosphere there among the 33 outlets which were all buzzing; it was unique.”

Every day was enjoyable.

“The banter between ourselves and our customers was great cráic every day,” says Ciarán.

“The stallholders all worked well together and we ate together during the day.

“Inside, the market is a closed community and I loved sharing that atmosphere with the others.”

However, Ciarán always harboured the dream to go it alone. To open an artisan bakery in a buzzing town with a friendly vibe and a ive community.

Midleton fitted the bill.

“It was always in the back of my mind to open my own business,” says Ciarán.

“Pastry was my background, and I knew that I baked well. I bit the bullet, and with the of Larissa and the encouragement from my mother and my grandmother, I began looking at premises that would suit.”

In the meantime, Ciarán tested the water.

“I brought my products to the outdoor markets, and I began to get lots of orders. I was working out of a commercial kitchen in Carrigaline, and soon I was doing wholesale orders for local bakers and for bakers up the country.”

When Ciarán came across a sweet little shop on Main Street in Midleton up for rent, he envisaged the warm, fuzzy feeling of his granny’s kitchen there, always smelling of fresh baking. He got to work.

“It’s all about quality ingredients,” says Ciarán.

“The old reliables are best. Real butter, fresh eggs, good chocolate, good cocoa. Nothing comes out of a jar or a bottle. I make small quantities to ensure freshness.”

What does he make in his little domain where he creates the magic?

“I make decorative cakes, specialised cakes for occasions,” says Ciarán. “Chocolate fudge, black forest and kinder are very popular. The brownies and cookies with various toppings are selling well.”

The Biscoff cheesecake goes down well too. Light and fluffy, it melts in the mouth. Ciaran’s light hands and expertise stir, sift, and whip, blending magical mixture into heavenly delights fresh from the oven.

Ciarán thinks the town of Midleton is magic.

“I used to live here,” he says. “So I was a local for two years. I got to know people and, like the Marina Market, I felt that I fitted in and that there was a niche here for me.

“Midleton people are very ive to local businesses. They look after their own.”

Ciarán gives back to the community and the residents of Midleton.

“If local schools or the GAA are hosting fundraisers, I’d always donate my baked goods to them, to give something back to the community,” says Ciarán.

His crunchy chocolatey cookies are popular.

“The cookies with the different toppings are my best-sellers,” he says.

He is particularly known as the new crumble cookie. “The term was coined in America,” says Ciáran. “Here in Ireland, I am called the new crumble cookie!”

Fuelled with ambition, this ambitious young man wants to expand and make a name for himself.

“I am already supplying two or three outlets in Cork. I want to become a household name. I want Crumbs And Cream to be what families talk about, and I want them to what treats that they got here.

“Reach for the moon and if you fall short, you’ll land among the stars.”

While Ciarán’s culinary delights are going down well with the people of Midleton, Messy Buns at the top of the town is established well now for a few years.

“Now, Messy Buns is a household name,” says Ciarán.

“Leigh’s cupcakes are a household staple. I took inspiration from him. He has a niche product like me. I think competition and choice is very healthy in every town.”

What are the challenges for young entrepreneurs like Ciarán?

“The overall economic effects present challenges,” he says. “The price of cocoa, butter and chocolate has rocketed. When the raw ingredients go up in price, it affects the business.”

Ciarán is in the business of tempting people to try his original creations.

“My salt and vinegar crisp cookies, offering the combination of the sweet and the savoury, are a good seller,” he says.

“People are willing to try out new things, and they are curious. I created the balance of sweet and savoury in one product.”

Ciarán notices my frown, wondering how this combination appeals to the palette. “Don’t knock it till you try it!” he laughs. “I change my flavours every week.”

Who tries Ciarán’s baking?

“My customers are all ages, from toddlers to pensioners. My regulars are a staple.”

They come from near and far.

“One lady travelled especially from Dublin to try out my cookies!” says Ciarán. “That really impressed me. It warmed the soul, if you know what I mean.”

Ciarán, a one-man show, is simmering and bubbling with the spark of joy that his baking brings him and brings his customers.

“Here, in-house, it’s just me,” he says. “I am a one-man army!”

But his troops are rallying behind him. “Yes, mum, granny and Larissa are always in my corner. They helped me to realise my dream.”

That warms the soul.