Step off the busy rush of Oxford Street this Friday and Saturday (11-12 October), and you’ll enter a rainbow-coloured, unicorn-inhabited, edible fantasy world. To celebrate National Baking Week (14-20 October), Miss Cakehead and a talented team of bakers have created ‘Baketopia’ – a delicious two-day, pop-up in London’s Kingly Court, just off Carnaby Street.
The first thing that hits you is the amazing smell – comforting waves of freshly-baked vanilla sponge, icing sugar and chocolate immediately get your taste buds tingling. A riot of colour – from the incredible meringue tepee and realistic campfire (creation of the Meringue Girls), to a meadow of pastel cupcakes and delicate macaroons, this miniature wonderland is entirely edible – and all needs to be eaten by the end of the event.
So once you’ve taken in the sights, grab your box and start gathering! Harvest a few chocolate mushrooms, dip a lily-pad frog into the chocolate waterfall – or even brave a (far-too-realistic) slug from the garden area.
The centrepiece is a stunning unicorn complete with gold-leaf horn, made by the super-talented Tattooed Bakers (who revealed that they are quite relieved to see their creation finally being eaten, after days of baking rainbow cakes!).
The event, which kicks off National Baking Week (supported by brands including Pyrex, Stork and Kenwood), is free to attend, with guests being asked to make a donation in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital. As well as contributors Nevie Pie Cakes, Caking It, Cake Revolution and others, the event is being championed by 2012 Great British Bake Off winner John Whaite (who we can confirm is as truly scrumptious in person as he is on screen!). John has also created a number of recipes for National Baking Week, some of which are baked into Baketopia for you to try.
The perfect free activity for families (young children will love gathering goodies to fill their boxes) and baking enthusiasts alike, get along quick from 12-7pm on 11-12 October, before it’s all gone!
