You might already know, but I love cake. Who doesn’t love cake? Only oddballs. So, much to my delight, award winning baker, Mary-Jane has opened her very own cafe in Newport, Kitschnbake. I was lucky enough to go along to the preview and even luckier to get to taste her famous chocolate brownies first-hand. Or first-mouth? Either way, this brownie was like nothing else on earth; it was a dream!
I admit it: I couldn’t stop at the brownies! I also tried the meringue pie – super sweet and super gooey and super good. There were cakes galore, from classic pie to the incredibly chocolaty brownies to the innovative Custard Cream and Caramel Wafer cakes. Yes, as in the biscuits. So. Freaking. Good.
Caramel Wafer Cake
The cafe itself is, well, kitsch. As the name suggests, MJ has a weakness for everything kitsch and loves to bring kitsch into the kitchen. “I love baking, but I think it’s important not to take it too seriously and keeping it kitsch keeps it all fun!”
Kitschnbake is a light, bright space (with uninterrupted views over the River Tay – and floor to ceiling French windows to show off the view properly) which is kitted out with kitsch stuff (such as a vintage Singer sewing machine) and welcoming sofas just made for spending hours chatting with friends while eating an abundance of cake. It’s upcycling at its best – the mix of refurbished furniture by neighbouring Fife business, Kit and Caboodle and colourful handmade lampshades from A Dandy Design are the perfect complement to centrepiece, an eBay sourced oak serving counter. Can you believe it? eBay!
Kitschnbake only opened yesterday, but if you live in the Dundee area, you might have already come across MJ’s cakes. She bakes for everyone, including the gorgeous Jessie’s Kitchen in Broughty Ferry and Peel Farm in Kirriemuir, and she recently won two awards at the Scottish Homebaking Awards 2013. MJ creates the most spectacular cakes without having to show off – she’s nailed the current trend for “naked” baking, where cakes aren’t iced and, rather, are stripped back to their natural form with a bit of decorative biscuit or fruit, etc. MJ’s naked baking is bloody marvellous, so I suggest you get down to Newport A-SAP and try it out – during the opening period, all tea and coffee is being served by a chocolate brownie chaser! Mmm. I’m going to have to go again. And again. And again…
Just look at that pie…
Kitschnbake will be open Tuesday to Saturday serving breakfast until 11.45 am, light lunches between 12 and 3 pm and – of course – coffee, tea and cakes anytime during the day until 4.30 pm. Kitschnbake is also available for private hire for events, classes or private dining options.
Me. Eating cake. Thanks, MJ. 🙂
It is brilliant!
Looks like my sort of place. Nicki Xx