Hartlepool’s Cake King celebrates 13 years in business

Josh Newton, a 29-year-old cake artist from Hartlepool, launched his business Cake King in 2014 after discovering a talent for cake decorating while helping his mam and grandma with a cousin’s birthday cake.

Mr Newton specialises in sculpted 3D cakes, hyperrealistic cakes, and what he calls “full-on extreme builds”, often making food-shaped, car-themed, and movie-themed cakes that make people stop and stare.

Josh’s cake at Teesside Airport for the launch of a new route (Image: Cake King Hartlepool)

One of his proudest moments was working with Teesside Airport, where one of his cakes was displayed on the runway before take-off of a new flight route.

He said: “That one will stay with me forever.”

Josh has also created other airline-themed cakes for the airport over the years.

His business officially turns 13 in 2026, and Mr Newton plans to mark the occasion with a month-long celebration starting at the end of May.

One of Josh’s cake creations (Image: Cake King Hartlepool)

Josh said: “I’ve never really celebrated Cake King’s birthday – probably because I’m always busy celebrating everyone else’s.

“But this year, Cake King turns 13 in June, and we’re celebrating for a full month with a new social media strategy, a YouTube channel, competitions to win extreme cakes and treat boxes, and a brand-new monthly treat box filled with Cake King bakes so everyone can get a taste of the magic.”

Despite creating cakes for clients across the UK, USA, Spain, and Germany, every bake begins in his kitchen in Hartlepool.

A birthday fish & chips cake made by Josh (Image: Cake King Hartlepool)

Mr Newton said: “I’m ridiculously proud that Cake King has stayed rooted in Hartlepool, even while I’m creating cakes for clients in the UK and across the globe.

“This month especially has felt like a turning point.

“For years I felt like the business wasn’t really moving, but recently everything has shifted – new ideas, new energy, new direction.”

(Image: Cake King Hartlepool)

Part of that change has included updating all of his cake recipes, which he said has “given the business a whole new spark.”

Looking ahead to the anniversary, Mr Newton sees it as more than a milestone.

He said: “Even though it’s technically a 13th birthday celebration, it feels more like the start of something new.

“I’m excited to open the doors wider than ever before and bring people along for the journey, especially those who’ve supported me from the very beginning.”