Women Who Inspire

Sarah Houghting has been the Executive Pastry Chef at The Rubens at the Palace for almost eight years now, whilst Paula Stakelum has worked with Red Carnation for over 14 years, currently under the title of Global Director of Chocolate and Pâtisserie. Together, they are a shining exemplar of the power of female innovation within the culinary world.

Having already won her a great deal of some of her industry’s most prestigious awards, Paula’s creations have fast become a beloved cornerstone of the Red Carnation experience. From complimentary chocolate treats left in the Ashford Castle rooms to the signature cake the hotels present to guests on special occasions, not to mention her range of goods that can be bought as gifts from Mrs Tea’s Boutique & Bakery on the Ashford Estate, Paula has placed herself at the heart of our guests’ most cherished memories.

Sarah’s career trajectory is no less impressive. Largely self-taught, it was Sarah’s passion for desserts that brought her from her native South Africa to London in 2005, where her talents have led to opportunities like appearing on Great British Bake Off: The Professionals in 2021. The most iconic and lasting experience a guest can have at The Rubens is to take the Royal Afternoon Tea in The Palace Lounge, with the Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace in full view, and it is Sarah’s pastry creations that guests bite into throughout this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Paula’s Chocolate Experience at Ashford enables guests to feast on live-plated desserts that feature seasonal ingredients plucked from either the estate or the kitchen garden, along with a tutorial in how to make their very own chocolate bar. Meanwhile, Sarah’s Gourmet Chef Experience at The Rubens puts guests in chef whites for an interactive lesson in how to make some of her most revered pastries, all whilst sharing tips, tricks, and secrets for the mastery of baking.

Together, they collaborated with Champagne Lanson on a two-week Wimbledon pop-up at The Rubens, something that proved to be an incredible success. We can’t wait to see what they’ll do next, but we’re sure it’ll result in nothing but the excellence we have come to expect from these industry-leading women.