Claire Ptak trained as a pastry chef for Alice Waters at Chez Panisse in Berkeley before moving to London. Upon her arrival she worked in restaurants including Moro, The Anchor and Hope and St. John before starting Violet Cakes, a stall at Broadway Market in east London. Since 2005, Violet has been selling cupcakes and other treats to a very loyal following, including Jamie Oliver, Nigella Lawson and Thomasina Miers, and she designed the wedding cake for Harry and Meghan.