It's been known as an elephant's foot for decades by cake lovers across Notts - but from today, it's official. A couple of months ago we had a debate over the name of one of Birds Bakery's most loved cakes. The company called the cream-filled choux pastry topped with chocolate a cream puff, yet to everyone else it was something else
But now the firm has announced that it will be renaming the iconic cake to an elephant's foot due to popular demand. And they're even launching a miniature version too.
Alongside the new name (or old name, depending how you view it) a smaller version of the classic is being introduced today, Thursday June 22, aptly named a baby elephant’s foot.
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Lesley Bird, chief operating officer at Birds Bakery, said: "The cream puff has been a signature product in our stores for years and has always been a favourite with our customers. We view our customers as an extended family and believe it's important to take on board their feedback and suggestions. When we heard that most locals prefer to call our cream puff an elephant’s foot we were inspired to change the name and lean into our Midlands roots."
Commenting on the new baby elephant’s foot’, Lesley added: “We’re a family-run business and like this to filter through to our product selection, so what better way to show this, and support the rename, than to introduce a miniature version of our classic cream cake. The new size is the perfect addition to any family picnic, especially in the warmer weather and we love that all generations enjoy our products so now there is a ‘foot’ for everyone.”
Both the original and new products will be available in all 61 stores across the East Midlands, priced at £1.55 for the larger and 95p for the smaller.
Elephant's foot fan Paul Robey said: "This is a victory for Nottinghamians and lovers of cream cakes everywhere." The Nottingham Boom Radio presenter added: "Birds are absolutely right to reinstate the name elephant's foot as the correct term for their distinctive choux bun pastries. Why they ever called it a cream puff is an outrage!
"No one quite knows when and where this expression originated, but it was certainly the recognised cake for birthdays at workplaces across Nottingham in the 60s, 70s and 80s. Let's welcome back this great Nottingham institution and celebrate with elephant's feet all round. "
