This weekend saw a sun-drenched London adorned with Union Jack bunting, champagne-fuelled street parties and quintessentially British afternoon teas, in a mass celebration of Harry and Megan’s picture-perfect wedding.
What could possibly be a better way of honouring the loving union of this gorgeous couple than by gorging on cake – especially one tastefully imitating their own regal creation?
When renowned British cake shop brand Konditor and Cook heard about the couple’s wonderfully season-appropriate Elderflower and Lemon wedding cake, they swiftly created a similar version in its mighty honour.
This exquisite cake consists of a moist lemon sponge delicately soaked with elderflower cordial, sandwiched with tangy lemon curd and generously smothered with lashings of elderflower cream cheese frosting.
I was lucky to sample this cake at a recent party at London member’s club The Scotch of St James. I was hooked and promptly demolished my gigantic slab, feeling a slight pang of mourning for the beautifully designed, hand piped seasonal flowers, which had elegantly graced the top of the cake.
Konditor and Cook’s motto is to “spread joy through cake,” – and after eating my way through most of their spring collection, I can understand why. The brand boasts London’s most renowned cake shops – due to the quality of their Insta-perfect cakes, cookies and brownies, and their meticulous attention to detail.
Think good, old fashioned English cakes, just how your grandmother would have made (if your grandmother was born and raised in an idyllic country village and the proud owner of a vintage Aga oven.)
After becoming somewhat obsessed with the brand’s moreish baked goods, I decided to delve into its history. I was surprised to learn that Konditor and Cook was the brainchild of expert German baker Gerhard Jenne. This young cake-lover’s first introduction to baking was naughty licking the bowls after his mother’s frequent baking sessions.
Clearly born to be a baker, Gerhard then trained as a Konditor (pastry chef) in Munich, where he developed a taste for gloriously indulgent cakes, before moving to London to work for society grocer and baker Justin de Blank. It was here that Gerhard made a name for himself making cakes for the rich and famous, including Tina Turner and rock icons The Rolling Stones.
After launching the first Konditor and Cook shop in London Waterloo, a further five branches opened up across the capital to cater to the growing demand for the brand’s colourful birthday cakes, cookies and cupcakes – perfect for celebratory events, such as the recent royal wedding.
Other cakes from their spring collection, aptly titled Blooming’ Marvellous, include the zesty Gin and Tonic Cake, fragrant Gooseberry and Elderflower Cake, creamy Lime and Blueberry Cheesecake, fruity Peach Crumble, and my absolute favourite of the bashful bunch – the Passionfruit and Prosecco birthday cake.
This is the season to truly indulge, so fret not about those extra pounds and treat yourself – as Oscar Wilde once said, “The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it…”
