Cakes have become an essential part of life’s celebrations, adding sweetness and symbolism to every special occasion.
From birthdays and weddings to anniversaries and milestones, a cake often serves as the centrepiece that brings people together. More than just a dessert, it represents joy, love and shared memories, marking moments that matter most. Over time, cakes have evolved in both design and flavour, reflecting personal tastes and cultural trends, and continue to make every celebration feel complete and memorable.
Among those who have turned this tradition into a remarkable success story is Kulwinder Kumar, widely known as Mr Paul, a highly respected British entrepreneur and owner of the renowned bakery brand Kool Cakes (formerly Paul’s Bakers). His journey has been shaped by a strong partnership with his wife, Salinder Kaur, and a deep commitment to his family, including their three daughters, Jennyfer, Kiran and Priya. A devoted family man and influential figure, he is widely respected among religious and political leaders in the UK.
A true all-rounder, his bakery has won several accolades, including a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest cake sculpture in 2014. Kool Cakes was chosen to provide a 5 foot-tall cake for Celebrity Big Brother for one of the tasks. Kool Cakes also had the honour to make and gift a 'Royal' cake to the Queen at Buckingham Palace during her Diamond and Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Beyond his business achievements, he is also a mentor, offering free cake-decorating training at his Heston shop, and a philanthropist dedicated to supporting the development of his ancestral village in India. In recognition of his contributions, he received the ABPL Political & Public Life Awards for Innovation in Business at the UK Parliament in 2018.
“Baking became my calling”
Reflecting on his journey to the UK, Kulwinder Kumar shared, “I arrived in 1983 and took on various jobs, including working in a hospital. In 1989, I joined Air India at Heathrow Airport as a cargo agent, while also working part-time in a bakery. That’s where I developed a strong interest in the cake business. By 1990, I decided to pursue it seriously and enrolled in a private college to learn professionally. I later went to the United States, where I earned a diploma and a master’s degree in cake-making, covering everything from fresh cream and buttercream to novelty and wedding cakes. After returning, I opened my first shop in 1993, then called Paul Baker, which I ran for 12 years before expanding to four outlets.”
Speaking about his innovation in eggless cakes, he explained, “At the time, what people called ‘vegetarian’ cakes in the UK still contained eggs. I wanted to create something truly egg-free, so I kept experimenting. After many attempts, I finally perfected an eggless sponge recipe in 1994.”
Record-breaking rise to royal recognition
Speaking about his royal connections and record-breaking achievements, he said, “I’ve created cakes for the Houses of Parliament and even for the Big Brother show, one of them measured 40 inches by 40 inches and stood 5 feet tall. In 2012, during the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, I approached Buckingham Palace because I wanted to present something that reflected what I had achieved since coming to this country. The process took three to four months, including detailed security checks and interviews. Eventually, I was approved by the Queen’s head chef, Mark Flanagan, and had the honour of presenting a cake to the Queen on behalf of the Asian community.”
“In 2014, I collaborated with Fairy Liquid to break the Guinness World Record for the largest cake. Many believed it wasn’t possible, but we created a 10-metre by 12-metre cake in under seven hours at Westfield Shopping Centre, serving around 12,000 slices for the Make-A-Wish charity. Later, in 2022, I returned to Buckingham Palace for the Platinum Jubilee. We also organised a large street celebration in Southall, complete with samosas, tea and Indian music. Additionally, I personally contributed £27,000 to host a community event attended by MPs and religious leaders to mark the Queen’s 70-year reign”, he added.
Baking success with a heart for charity
Highlighting his long-standing philanthropic work, Kulwinder said, “In my village, Johal in District Jalandhar, I’ve been involved in charity for the past 35 to 40 years. I helped install a sewerage system, streetlights, and about 25 years ago, I built 10 toilets for women so they wouldn’t have to go out into the fields, especially during the rain. More recently, there was a piece of land next to a temple needed for a langar hall. The owners were asking for three times the market price, so I bought the land and donated it to the temple.”
Speaking about evolving trends in the cake industry, he noted, “The industry has grown immensely, no birthday or wedding feels complete without a cake now. Tiered cakes are especially popular. Many couples want grand five- or six-tier designs but also want to manage costs, so we use dummy tiers. Only a small section is real cake for the cutting ceremony, while the rest is a decorative display that is later taken back.”
Offering advice to aspiring entrepreneurs, Kulwinder added, “I always say, start by developing a skill or hobby, whether it’s art, design, plumbing or building. Once you’ve mastered your craft, take the step to start your own business. Begin small. It’s not easy and requires hard work, but it’s far better than spending your life just working for others without growth.”
Shipping all over England
9, Central Parade, New Heston Road,
Heston, Hounslow - TW5 0LQ
Phone - 020 3772 7731 Email - [email protected]
