An award-winning Scottish sculptor who creates realistic fake food replicas for various purposes has seen her business grow rapidly with the help of Business Gateway. Her products have been featured in the Barbie movie and other international projects.
From Art to Business
Kerry Samantha Boyes is the owner and founder of Fake Food Workshop, a business that produces high-quality and realistic fake food sculptures for a range of uses, including in theatre, television, interior décor and marketing. She uses a variety of sculptural techniques and creative disciplines to replicate food, such as weighing, mixing, and layering.
Boyes has 30 years of experience in the UK Heritage & Visual Arts Sector and launched her business in 2018. She was inspired by the matrix of food production and the cultural significance of food in different contexts. She said: “I love the challenge of making something look edible when it’s not. It’s a form of art that appeals to many senses and emotions.”
Global Recognition and Success
Fake Food Workshop has gained global recognition and success with its unique products. The business exports fake food sculptures all over the world, with clients including esteemed international names like Warner Bros, Guggenheim Museum, and Walt Disney Imagineering, as well as renowned UK clients such as National Trust Properties, Heinz, BBC, Jo Malone and Selfridges.
One of the most notable achievements of Fake Food Workshop was when its ice-cream replicas, which mimic classic flavours, featured in the blockbuster Barbie movie in 2023. Boyes said: “It was a huge honour to be part of such a popular and iconic movie. The ice-creams looked so realistic that some of the actors wanted to eat them!”
Business Growth and Support
With the increasing demand for her products from overseas, Boyes approached Business Gateway for support and guidance on how to grow her business and meet the challenges of exporting. She accessed a suite of Business Gateway’s growth business services, including one-to-one guidance from a dedicated business adviser, as well as advice on hiring and specialist support on international exporting.
Boyes also accessed logistics and exporting advice through Business Gateway’s Expert Help programme, which was crucial for developing a plan to meet the increased demand from customers, as well as navigating complex exporting regulations and logistics. Through Business Gateway, Boyes also attended webinars with a dedicated focus on producing engaging online content, and used the skills learned to develop her website and social media presence.
Boyes is now forecasting growth from £43k to £130k in three years, with exporting sales accounting for approximately 50% of this turnover. Fake Food Workshop has recently relocated to Dumfries and Galloway, and, with support from Business Gateway, Boyes is looking into Employment Guarantee to take on her first part-time member of staff.
Boyes said: “Last year, as demand surged, I sought guidance from Business Gateway on exporting products. Their invaluable support and expertise have been instrumental in the business’ success. I’m very grateful for their help and I look forward to working with them in the future.”
