MANY people fantasise about leaving their job in extraordinary fashion – and for a Border Agency worker at Stansted Airport, it was a sweet affair.

Saffron Walden Reporter: Chris Holmes handed in his cake on MondayChris Holmes handed in his cake on Monday (Image: Archant)

Christopher Holmes handed in his notice on Monday – his 31st birthday – following the birth of his son.

But he sweetened the news by writing his resignation letter on top of a homemade cake.

After uploading a picture of the cake on his Facebook page and it being Tweeted by a relative, the story has become a social media sensation, receiving hundred of thousands of re-tweets.

Mr Holmes told the Broadcast: “It was a total shock. I put it on my personal Facebook page because I thought my friends would enjoy it and one of them tweeted it. The next thing I know, it’s all over the internet.

“I really am quite shocked at the hype it’s received. I just thought it was a nice thing to do.”

Mr Holmes handed the cake – made of carrots, pecans, sultanas and coconut with a Seville orange butter cream filling – to his employers on Monday. He cited the birth of his son Ben, now seven weeks old, as the main reason for leaving the job.

“It has put things into perspective and I really want to be around him and my wife as much as I can,” he said.

“I’m currently on my notice period of four weeks but I’ve taken out a lot of annual leave to coincide with the birth of my son, so although I am technically employed by them, I think I have now worked my last shift.”

Mr Holmes set up his cake company, Mr Cake, in 2010 and will now work full-time as a chef from home.

He spent three years juggling careers before making the jump from working at the Border Agency – a job he held for seven years – to operating his business out of the kitchen at his Victorian cottage in Sawston.

He hopes his passion for cooking will send a positive message to his son.

He said: “I would not have left if the business wasn’t making enough money, but I’m making a reasonable amount and I’m hoping it will send a good message that you should pursue things you are interested in and enjoy.”

Bill Form, Border Force assistant director at Stansted, said: “Chris handed in the cake, along with a more formal letter, on Monday.

“He leaves with our very best wishes and we wish him well.”