A RISING Basingstoke company that makes baking kits has teamed up with one of the world’s finest pastry chefs, Michel Roux.

Securing the advice of the highly acclaimed French chef coincides with Bakedin’s successful crowdfunding efforts with Kickstarter.

Joe Munns, who set the cake business up in June 2013 with friends Anna Bridgen and Elaina Michelburgh, with the backing of around 20 investors and a Government start-up loan, is excited with this latest round of investment for the company.

He is using the crowdfunding to launch The Bakedin Baking Club where recipes developed with the help of Michel Roux, will be delivered to subscribers for a monthly fee.

He said: “We exceeded our initial target of raising £3,000 in just two days.

“The money is to go towards developing the packaging for the club, where an A4 sized boxed baking kits that fits through your letterbox is sent– it will be something different every month.

“The Kickstarter funding is to get the project off the ground and get the community behind it.

“We want to get 1,000s of people signed up and get people to share photos and recipe ideas.

“And if you have a good one you could share it with Michel Roux.”

Joe added: “It’s great that a lot of people are behind our brand and it’s great to have Michel involved too. I speak to him on a weekly basis.

He’s so energetic and passionate – he’s a lovely guy.”

Joe and his team are set to move their factory from The Beresford Centre just off Wade Road to nearby Stoudley Road where the Bakedin office is based.

“We’re quadrupling the size of our factory to deal with the increasing demand for our products,” explained Joe.

It is a far cry from when the operation was initially based in Joe’s kitchen at his Kempshott home.

Joe, who left his job as a software manager at IBM two months ago, said: “It was a spare time business until June, now we can’t keep up with the demand.”

With the new factory and increased numbers of staff, he expects to increase the company’s turnover of £50,000 to hit a target of £500,000 this year.

Bakedin has some pretty impressive stockists too, with the likes of Harrods, and Selfridges and more locally with Newlyn and Manydown farm shops.

Bakedin will have a stand at CarFest South this weekend, helping to raise funds for Children in Need, where its Mug Brownies will be on offer.

“We’re taking part in the Cakes v Pies competition,” said Joe.

“The judging takes place on Sunday, where the three best cakes and pies will be judged. “We’re entering a Guinness Cake with Whiskey Ganache and Irish cream icing.

“It will be fun,” added Joe.