Not many of us have the privilege of spending every day with our mum, let alone working alongside them doing what we love. Suzie and Molly Douglas, owners of the amazing bakery and cafe Just Like Mumma’s, get to spend every day doing what they love together and achieving success left, right and centre. We spent an exciting afternoon with Suzie and Molly learning the story behind Just Like Mumma’s and how they’ve become the successful bakery and cafe they are.
The mother-daughter duo have both had a passion for cooking and baking since they were young with Suzie passing her skills and love for baking onto Molly at a young age.
The name Just Like Mumma’s came from Molly wanting to be “Just like Mumma” when she was younger, so when the time came for them to set up their business together the name was very fitting.
What started as a hobby for Suzie has now turned into an extremely successful business with a bakery and cafe that both she and Molly enjoy running together.
Having worked as a pastry chef for many years, baking has been no stranger to Suzie. Once she had aced her recipe for their famous carrot cake by baking for family and friends they suggested she set up her own business so after years of exploring, in 2014 she finally took the plunge with Molly who had recently completed her chef’s training at City College Plymouth.
“I found that my passion for cooking was, bigger when I was working with mum, she fuels my enthusiasm and always has!”
Just Like Mumma’s became a reality in 2014 when they started to run the cafe at a local rugby club. But after a year, Suzie and Molly decided they wanted to move to smaller premises that they could make their own with a village feel.
After searching for suitable premises they came across the bakery in Oreston Village and instantly knew that it would be perfect for what they needed, and after a few adjustments to the layout, they opened their very own Just Like Mumma’s cafe and bakery on 26th July 2017.
“We didn’t want something in town. We didn’t want something on the high street. We wanted something where people could walk in and have home-cooked food with that homely feel. And we want them to feel welcome.”
With Plymouth being clustered with large bakeries and chains, Just Like Mumma’s is a breath of fresh air for the local community in Plymstock and the rest of Plymouth, providing fresh and handmade goods for their cafe and 11 other cafes and eateries across the Southwest.
Often working 99 hour weeks, both Molly and Suzie pour their heart and soul into the business. Having worked hard to perfect the baked goods for their cafe, the wholesales and any orders they take on, the pair have picked up an incredible 14 awards altogether since opening, being 4 times bakery champions in 4 consecutive years with Taste of the West – the smallest and only business to achieve this.
Their awards range from the famous Carrot Cake winning champion at the Taste of the West Awards in 2016 to their Bakewell Tart winning in 2017, Deluxe Victoria in 2018 and Coffee in 2019. However, out of their 14 awards, the most important to Molly is winning the Customer Service Award at the Devon Life Food and Drink Awards in 2018.
Just Like Mumma’s pride themselves on providing a warm and welcoming environment for all to enjoy, whether you just want a cup of coffee to start your day or a catch up with some friends over their famous carrot cake or a slice of their award-winning Bakewell tart. Suzie and Molly are always there to provide you with top-notch service, excellent coffee from The Sunday Collab, cakes, brunches and light lunches, as well an ear to natter away to.
Suzie and Molly have a wonderful bond and explain that Suzie is more interested in the baking and Molly loves to explore the decorative side working alongside H.Watts Florist located on the same road.
“If you’ve got an amazing florist down the street, then why not work with them”
Just Like Mumma’s love supporting the local businesses surrounding them with a strong friendship with The Wool Tree, H.Watts Florist, and Peace Hair and Beauty. They frequently meet up for community events and help one another succeed in business.
Molly and Suzie have a unique bond and they’ve achieved incredible success in the few years they’ve been in business. Their success goes down to their commitment and dedication to doing what they love with the help of family members Alice, Alan and of course Victoria their little delivery van.
It is clear to us that baking is more than a passion for Suzie and Molly as they bake incredible quality cakes and provide exceptional customer service at all time. We do not doubt that their success will continue for years to come and we can’t wait to taste more of their delicious cakes!
For more information about Just Like Mumma’s head to www.justlikemummas.co.uk, call 01752 717280 or head over @justlikemummas on Facebook and Instagram to keep upto date with Suzie and Molly.
Call: 01752 717280
Email: justlikemummas@gmail.com
Website: www.justlikemummas.co.uk
167 Plymstock Rd, Plymouth PL9 7LJ
Facebook: @justlikemumma
Instagram: @justlikemummas