A Huddersfield bakery’s unique Christmas Dinner Cake – which became an overnight sensation when it was featured on BBC2’s Dragon’s Den – has been nominated for a prestigious bakery award.
Lindley-based ProperMaid’s festive cake helped company founder and managing director Allison Whitmarsh scoop a £50,000 investment from entrepreneur Deborah Meaden in return for a 25% stake on the TV show.
Now the mouth-watering concoction has been shortlisted as one of three finalists in the Product Innovation Award category of the Baking Industry Awards 2013.
The innovative cake uses all the ingredients of a traditional British Christmas dinner, including carrots, parsnips, cranberries, Christmas spices, chestnuts and even sprouts. A Huddersfield bakery’s unique Christmas Dinner Cake – which became an overnight sensation when it was featured on BBC2’s Dragon’s Den – has been nominated for a prestigious bakery award.
Lindley-based ProperMaid’s festive cake helped company founder and managing director Allison Whitmarsh (pictured) scoop a £50,000 investment from entrepreneur Deborah Meaden in return for a 25% stake on the TV show.
Now the mouth-watering concoction has been shortlisted as one of three finalists in the Product Innovation Award category of the Baking Industry Awards 2013.
The innovative cake uses all the ingredients of a traditional British Christmas dinner, including carrots, parsnips, cranberries, Christmas spices, chestnuts and even sprouts.
It now comes in a distinctive “Bake your Own” kit with step-by-step instructions, measured out ingredients and recipe book.
“Our Christmas Dinner Cake was such a huge success, we wanted to take it forward as a business and make the most of the opportunity,” said Allison.
“We’ve taken the basic idea and made it into a lovely gift box that people can buy to bake at home or give as a gift for a friend – and we’re delighted it has caught the attention of the judges at the awards. It’s great to be in the running for a nationally recognised accreditation and is the biggest award we’ve ever been up for.”
Said Allison: “It’s been a really exciting six months for us as we’re now finalising a supply contract with a major online grocer and taking the Dinner Cake idea one step further by creating prototypes for our Sunday Dinner Cake, which will be available all year round.”
Proper Maid, based in Heritage Mills, has made a name for itself with its out-of-the-ordinary home-baked cakes and loaves, with flavours that have included Courgette & Lime, Beetroot & Chocolate, Liquorice, Dandelion & Burdock – which won a Gold Star at the 2012 Great Taste Awards – and Chocolate Chilli & Fudge, made with real chillies.
The 26th annual Baking Industry Awards will be held on September 11 at the Park Lane Hilton in London with more than 800 key industry executives attending.
It now comes in a distinctive “Bake your Own” kit with step-by-step instructions, measured out ingredients and recipe book.
“Our Christmas Dinner Cake was such a huge success, we wanted to take it forward as a business and make the most of the opportunity,” said Allison.
“We’ve taken the basic idea and made it into a lovely gift box that people can buy to bake at home or give as a gift for a friend – and we’re delighted it has caught the attention of the judges at the awards. It’s great to be in the running for a nationally recognised accreditation and is the biggest award we’ve ever been up for.”
Said Allison: “It’s been a really exciting six months for us as we’re now finalising a supply contract with a major online grocer and taking the Dinner Cake idea one step further by creating prototypes for our Sunday Dinner Cake, which will be available all year round.”
Proper Maid, based in Heritage Mills, has made a name for itself with its out-of-the-ordinary home-baked cakes and loaves, with flavours that have included Courgette & Lime, Beetroot & Chocolate, Liquorice, Dandelion & Burdock – which won a Gold Star at the 2012 Great Taste Awards – and Chocolate Chilli & Fudge, made with real chillies.
The 26th annual Baking Industry Awards will be held on September 11 at the Park Lane Hilton in London with more than 800 key industry executives attending.
