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Cake. Is there anything it can't do? Well, yes, it turns out there are a few things - trigonometry, handstands, nuclear fission - but most things it is capable of, and making humans grin is at the top of that list. Here we take a look at six Brum-based cake bakers who are behind the broadest of those smiles. Happy Friday.
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BAKE
The IT industry’s loss is Birmingham’s gain as owner, Steve Taylor, left the 9 to 5 life in 2012 to set up Bake. His most popular creations are sparkly chocolate salted caramel cupcakes and his pre-order only, red velvet leviathan of a layer cake (£36.50, serves 20). Hell, he even does a cupcake with a donut topping. Catch him at Moseley Farmer’s Market, tomorrow (October 25).
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CAKE DOCTOR
To be honest, we're doubting James Fedden's medical credentials, but his baking acumen is bang on. Cake Doctor's vegan offerings are superb (to the point where non-vegans are snaffling them all) while his whoopie pies and brownies are top sellers. You can catch him at the Birmingham Beer Festival, next week, assuming his van / stall, a wallowing 1979 Ford Transit ambulance, gets him there.
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LIL'S PARLOUR
Not just one of our favourite bakers but BrewDog Birmingham's number one cake scientist. The Scottish craft ale crew regularly task owner, Lucy Scott, with coming up with cakes infused with their beers to sell in the bar, but it's her medieval recipe carrot cake (pictured), with saffron, nutmeg and cardamom that you really need to try. Track her down at Bearwood's first food festival, tomorrow (October 25)
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FALLEN ANGEL BAKERY
Harborne’s answer to New England-chic, think the Hamptons crossed with the blues and hues of the south Devonshire coast, with a smattering of decadence. Try the chocolate and caramel peanut cupcakes or, though not officially on the menu, we hear the fruit buttermilk loaf is the new definition of comfort food and the banana bread could make a grown man weep. Website
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CUPKAKERY
Specialising in bold and innovatory flavour combinations, with darn right celestial results, Cupkakery's creations include Guinness and chocolate-dipped pretzel, Blackberry mojito and their by-now-famous Mayan chocolate cupcake with cinnamon, cayenne and candied chilli, topped with a cinnamon tortilla chip (pictured). They were national cupcake championship finalists, for the second year running, thanks to it.
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CONJURER'S KITCHEN
A change of pace with this one - Conjurer's Kitchen specialise in darkly wicked cakey creations like this ode to gruesome TV series Hannibal. Other nightmarish yet ingenious work from former sculptor turned edible artist, Annabel de Vetten, includes this harrowing butchered and cooked swan (you've been warned). Insanely talented, her website is worth a visit - unless you plan on sleeping ever again.
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YOUNG JEDIS
Worcestershire artist, Craig Davison, who kick-started his art career as a cartoonist on kids classics The Wombles, Huxley Pig and Bangers and Mash, will unveil his new collection at Castle Fine Art, this weekend. In A Backyard Far Far Away is a lovely series of oils, pencil sketches and prints that nod to playground re-enactments of the Star Wars trilogy. Davison will be at the gallery on Sunday (October 26), 1 to 4pm, along with the 99th Garrison - a costumed tribute to The Empire. More pics here.
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A BIT OF BARD NEWS
Now that's how you pun! Paranoia, jealously, sex and, erm, a pool table, abound as a naughties adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragic colossus Othello marauders onto the stage. Leave your annotated A-Level text at home - brutal, frenetic choreography and a nod rather than a reliance on the traditional are bound to make the Rep’s latest production a compelling one, whether you categorise yourself as a Shakespeare aficionado or not. The show runs November 12 to 15. Tickets from £12.50. Trailer here.
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