It was a hectic start-up for Shelinder Singh when he first opened his Eggfree Cake Box shop four years ago with his wedding day just 10 days later.

Now with two shops and plans for more, the company – with its niche product – has broken through the traditional cake market with demand on the rise.

The ability to make egg-free cakes on spec, which means you can order a cake and within 20 minutes it will be ready for collection, has been a big selling point.

Mr Singh said: “People are busier now than they have ever been and the way they shop has changed dramatically – therefore we have built our business model on this factor.

“Our recipe has been developed where there is no compromise in taste, even though it is egg-free.

“There are a considerable number of people who choose not to eat egg for their personal or religious beliefs, or those who are simply allergic to egg. Some of our customers buy our cakes because their friends or relatives have never been able to enjoy a cake on their birthday.

“However, people who do not fall into these categories still buy our cakes because they are light, fluffy and delicious.”

The company invests in its people. Mr Singh has encouraged and trained all of his employees, including the head cake decorator, to a high standard where she has now reached master status and will soon be accredited to teach internationally. Eggfree Cake Box also plans to invest in the community.

This has started through joining an apprenticeship scheme using skills provider Kent Training and Apprenticeships. Famous names have also tucked into the creations – the firm provided the cake presented to Jane McDonald for the Woodville’s 50th anniversary and nationally cakes have been ordered for the Clare Balding Show.

Mr Singh said: “Since opening, we have taken part in the biggest Sikh festival of the year every year marking the religious anniversary of Vaisakhi. This takes place at the Gravesend Sikh temple where around 18,000 people attend throughout the day.

“We provide free cakes for the public, regardless of their background. To us the customer is not somebody who simply buys a cake from one of our stores. When we make a cake for somebody’s special occasion, we know that we are being allowed into the person’s family via the cake.

“That is why each cake is baked and decorated as if it was meant for a member of one of our families.”

The company was one of many who entered the Dartford and Gravesham Business Awards, which are now in their 10th year.

They are supported by the Messenger, and each entrant gets a free profile in our papers and on our website.

This year’s award sponsors were Dartford council, Gravesham council, Barnes Roffe, Kent Business School (University of Kent), the KM Group (Dartford Messenger and Gravesend Messenger), Lloyds Bank, Thomson Snell and Passmore, Edinburgh House, University of Greenwich and Mid Kent College.

Visit www.dgbawards.co.uk to enter next year's awards.