Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Lovell.
Hi Angela, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
A Slice of British: How a Home Kitchen Became My Small Business
When I moved to the United States over nine years ago for my husband’s work, I pressed pause on my own career. I’d left a veterinary office job behind and chose to stay home with our children, helping them settle in and navigate their early school years. As much as I valued that time, I knew the late nights, weekends, and unsociable hours of veterinary work weren’t a fit for our new life.
Eventually, I reached a crossroads: What did I want to do next? The answer had been there all along—in my oven and on our kitchen table. I’d always baked. I loved it. And I missed the comfort of the British staples I grew up with. I began cooking for neighbors, recreating the flavors of home, and they became my earliest champions, urging me to share my food with a wider audience.
In 2021, I took the leap and launched A Slice of British. A neighbor designed the logo, and I started modestly, selling cheesecakes as Easter desserts. That first year moved slowly, as these things often do, but word of mouth traveled, and I steadily expanded the menu. I was happily baking away, but I kept hearing the same request: British afternoon tea. The demand seemed to be there and I decided this would be a great way to expand on my small business.
After year one, I decided to professionalize fully. I became licensed to sell in shops and at events, and my husband Ian transformed our basement into a commercial kitchen—a project that took careful planning and plenty of elbow grease. It was worth every bit of effort. That space is now where I begin most mornings. I do love being able to step over my dogs and walk down to my basement to go to work, bringing a little taste of Britain to our community.
Since then, A Slice of British has blossomed from a few cheesecakes into a vibrant catering and events business. Afternoon teas—complete with scones, finger sandwiches, and delicate bakes—have become a signature offering, and custom orders keep my calendar happily full. What started as homesickness for familiar flavors has grown into a business that brings people together in their home and takes me out of my kitchen to meet new people with a similar interest to enjoy some of the more simple things in life, tea and scones can always make you smile.
Today, A Slice of British is more than a menu—it’s a story of starting over, following a passion, and finding home by sharing it with others.
It has even expanded in to its own British booth at painted tree, Overland Park. You can shop here year round for your British chocolate, cookies and essentials.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not entirely-it’s been rewarding, but definitely not without its hurdles.
Licensing and inspections: Getting fully licensed was a steep learning curve. There’s so much detail involved in meeting health and safety requirements, and making sure everything was right. It took patience.
Building a commercial kitchen at home, mostly doing it ourselves. Getting approval and permits took longer than expected.
Wearing all the hats: I quickly learned that running a food business is about far more than cooking. There’s branding, pricing, inventory, scheduling, social media and customer communication-and then there’s the website. Web design is not my strong suit, and I’m incredibly grateful to my younger brother for stepping in and designing and helping me get it right.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about A slice of British?
We are a small British bakery and catering company specializing in authentic British afternoon teas. What we do is very traditional—right down to our scones, which are classic British-style (often compared to the shape of an American biscuit, but with a very different texture and flavor). Every afternoon tea we offer is designed to reflect the true British experience, not a modern shortcut or imitation.
What sets us apart is that almost everything is made from scratch by me. I’m often asked if I really cook it all myself, and the answer is yes. Because our food is handmade and fresh, it’s best enjoyed just that way—fresh. I would love to offer more sit-down afternoon tea experiences across Kansas so more people can enjoy the full tradition as it’s meant to be served.
Our brand is something I’m incredibly proud of because it’s authentic and welcoming. While our teas and food naturally resonate with British expats in Kansas, they’re truly for everyone. Once people taste our food and learn what makes it special, it often becomes a staple—especially our sausage rolls, which are a customer favorite. We want readers to know that our bakery isn’t just about tea and treats; it’s about sharing a genuine piece of British culture, made with care, tradition, and how happy my customers buying small makes me.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
I truly learnt as I went along with each obstacle as I had never ran a business before, It’s hard work and there are days you have to push through. I would say set boundaries, and be ok with setting limits (I hate to say No!)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.asliceofbritish.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asliceofbritish
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asliceofbritish
