10/06/2026
I could literally cry my eyes out. We’ve had lovely messages on the page reference closing and we’ve also received between messenger and email over 350 messages.
Some of them have been so kind and wonderful and telling us what an inspiration we’ve been and through this changing lives for the better with being a charitable status and nonprofit organisation.
If I’m totally and utterly honest my reference towards closing is my husbands ongoing health needs.
When I started Cegin Carand my husband had wanted to retire after being in the Military for nearly 35yrs. A man who served in Northern Ireland, Sierra Leone, Balkan’s inc Kosovo, Bosnia. Then Kuwait, Saudi, Oman, Iraq, Afghanistan, Qatar, Cyprus, Falklands, Italy, Sardina, Sicily, Germany, Holland, Turkey all supporting the surrounding countries who were either based in war or supporting just outside of war zones.
I do believe this term of employment had one hell of an impact on his life. And while undergoing gruesome terms within his life span it took a toll on his well-being.
He retired in 2019 and I continued to work in health & social care full time until 2020 after which myself being employed in total over 33yrs too early retirement.
Into that by a year he adored it and felt such a changed man. Me on the other hand had itchy feet and found being at home difficult.
So with the wonderful help of FCC and the Foods Standards Agency and Deeside College I created Cegin Carand and gave loved every minute of it.
However it exploded way out of control and ended up in many big businesses coming in for buffets. When I originally started I was about Jams, Chutneys & Pickling. Then it became cakes, pastries, etc.
Soon to turn into full blown buffets. I have to admit I was over whelmed and even though I may blow my own trumpet my buffets and cakes along with jams etc are all homemade. You will never receive shop bought from me.
But as I have a passion for it I never want to say no and I always say yes but it’s killing me. I’m physically drained and exhausted. Andrew my husband has been very poorly. I’ve been ill with clonic tonic seizures which we believe has been brought on by the stress.
So I decided that July 31st 2026 would be a closing day so I could concentrate on myself, my family, our health and spend quality time together.
On the other hand it makes my tummy gripe as I know I won’t be able to just sit and relax it’s not in my blood.
So after receiving so many lovely messages I need to advise after serious talks the following will be in place.
Some may not like it others may applaud it. But I’m not going to please everyone.
Cegin has decided to remain open. However these will be the new rules in place and sadly some major companies will have to stop as they’ve become too big.
Closest to my heart and what my life time of working has meant and keeping is the Kim Inspire. I was with this company down in the Social Care Accolade in 2007 and what they do is phenomenal.
I will not be catering for big events except for them.
I will accept orders for small event’s however if you want them you will have to collect it.
That also stretches to small functions who want cakes, buffets, savouries etc. I will still supply but it will be on a collect only basis.
I know through this that many will pass by and say no. But by allowing me to create, make and you collect means I’m still within my home providing and can spend time with my loved ones.
It will be on a smaller scale. But I can assure you that if it’s impossible for me to complete I will always give you details of others that offer just as good as a service that I do and know you will enjoy.
I’m fully booked up right until the end of July 2026.
I do have bookings right up to December 2026 which I’ve honoured. But the amount of lovely messages you have sent and a lot compromising saying they will collect rather than lose me has been so overwhelming.
So we will remain open but on a lesser scale and hopefully we won’t disappoint if not available and recommend some of our friends providing as we do in the catering association.
Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart you have all been truly wonderful and loyal customers and that means the world to me 🥰🥰🥰❤️😘
