Customers at a Nottingham pub were stunned by a carvery that turned out not to be roast beef, Yorkshire pudding and veg but a chocolate cake. The showstopping creation was made by Jan Foster, a baker aka 'cake-a-tier’ at Holly Tree Farm, near Strelley.
When the cake was displayed next to an actual carvery at the family-friendly pub restaurant in Lawrence Drive diners struggled to tell the difference between the two. Jan said: "My love of baking and attention to detail has been passed down through generations.
"My mum loved to bake, so from a young age it’s always come naturally to me. Even now that she’s passed away, baking makes me feel closer to her. As I got older, I became more creative and found my passion in creating illusion cakes – cakes that look like something you see in everyday life.
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Given that we are also known for our best-in-class carveries at Farmhouse Inns, it felt natural to combine the two together and create a cake that looked exactly like a carvery.” The chocolate sponge filled cake was inspired by the recent Netflix series Is it Cake?
which sees highly skilled bakers compete to create the most realistic illusion cakes. Almost immediately after it aired, the show gained popularity – ranking second in Netflix’s top 10 most watched TV series.
Jan, who has worked at the Farmhouse Inns' Holly Tree Farm since it first opened in 2017, also hosts cake-making classes for children and adults in her spare time. She added: “Without a doubt, the most rewarding part of my job is getting to be a part of people’s special occasions.
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"I’ve lost count of how many cakes I’ve baked now, but I’ll never tire of the feeling of seeing someone smile as I show them their creation." In addition to the carvery illusion, Jan has previously created cakes replicating a full English breakfast, pancake stacks and even popular fast-food dishes.
Emma Smith, senior marketing manager at Farmhouse Inns, said: “Our talented cake-a-tiers always go the extra mile to delight our guests. From the initial baking to the finishing touches, all of our indulgent cakes are hand-crafted on-site by skilled and passionate bakers like Jan.
“From much-loved classics like our Marz Attack and carrot cake, to our seasonal favourites like our Raspberry Spring Surprise, there’s something for everyone at Farmhouse Inns.”
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