Cakeadoodledo brings cupcake heaven to Exeter
Every inch the 'domestic goddess', Kate Shirazi is Devon's very own version of Nigella but without all the innuendo, and the great news for the people of Exeter is that she has just opened up a delightful new cake and tea shop right at the heart of the city.
Just a stone's throw from the Cathedral, Kate has moved her home-based cake baking business Cakeadoodledo, first launched in 2006, into 1 Deanery Place (the road that runs between the entrance to Exeter Cathedral and Bear Street). Although slightly hidden away from the hubbub of Cathedral Green, I'm certain it won't be long before the tea shop has a steady stream of both locals and tourists alike making a beeline to this oasis for all cake lovers. There have already been any number of children staring in wonder through the shop window, and more still have managed to tempt their willing parents in for a cupcake or four.
As I walk into the tea room I am greeted with a waft of delicious home baking smells as a fresh batch of cupcakes is taken out of the oven, meanwhile Kate slathers on buttercream icing to a batch of cupcakes already cooled and remains calm and collected (not to mention smiling) throughout despite the momentous task ahead of her. In front of me is a dizzying array of the most beautiful cupcakes, cakes and pastries and I defy anyone to enter Kate's shop without coming away with something delectable. Among the assortment to tempt me were red velvet, dolly mixture and flower adorned cupcakes, frangipane tarts, and larger chocolate and coffee and walnut cakes. I opted for a cup of tea and a slice of coffee and walnut cake with sprinklings of coloured sugar sand (which Kate also sells to the public). Whether it was the surroundings or the treat of sitting down for a few moments in a madly busy day, the tea was a perfect brew and the cake one of the best I have tasted. There is also the added advantage that you are sitting in beautiful surroundings and there is a small courtyard to sit on fair weather days.
The shop also stocks a range of Kate's linens (from a range of aprons - my favourite was the 'Doris' - to tablecloths), books to teach you how to bake like Kate and bits and bobs (such as the coloured sand) to make your cupcakes look (almost) as good as hers.
It is clear that Kate and her team care passionately about creating mouthwatering cakes, but they also care about championing local producers. Kate has made the admirable mission statement that she will only be using Devon suppliers for her new cake and tea shop (as much as humanly possible). This will no doubt go down well with foodies in and around Exeter as well as being great for the environment - as it cuts down considerably on food miles.
Very much in line with other successful independents in Exeter, such as the Exploding Bakery on Queen Street and the Real Food Store in Paris Street, Kate's tea room is a live showcase of her and her team's culinary talents. So not only can you go and have a lovely lunch or a cup of tea and cake at your leisure, you can also watch Kate in action as she creates her masterpieces. As well as supplying to the cake and tea room, Cakeadoodledo makes beautiful wedding and celebration cakes, loaf cakes, biscuits, meringues... and likes to add a few oddities into the list of old favourites. At the recent Exeter Festival of South West Food and Drink Kate had made 'Bonkers' bars (pink wafers covered in chocolate and topped with a white chocolate malteser!) and was toying with the idea of putting savoury cheese scones with cream cheese and chilli jam on the menu for an alternative to the traditional Devon cream tea (which will also be on offer).
So whether you pop in for a box of cupcakes or stop for a cup of tea and slice of cake, I am sure Kate and her team will make you feel welcome and inspire you to get baking yourselves.
For more information visit www.cakeadoodledo.co.uk
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