Claire Ptak is an American who worked 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, her stall at Broadway Market in east London. Claire is also a food stylist who has styled numerous cookbooks, magazines and large advertising campaigns worldwide. Claire has made cakes for Jamie Oliver and Nigella Lawson and made her friend and chef Thomasina Miers' wedding cupcakes.