Straight-talking celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay showed his sweet side when he headed to a new Salford cake cafe on a surprise visit on a break from filming this week. Foodie firebrand Gordon is understood to be filming on a top secret new project in the city.
And as he enjoyed a bit of down-time in the sunshine, he couldn't resist heading to the quirky new Loaf cake cafe on the banks of the River Irwell - where he sampled a local delicacy. For Kitchen Nightmares star Gordon chose a slice of the Manchester Tart flavoured cake, this week's special at Loaf.
Stunned staff at Loaf couldn't believe it when the superstar restaurateur turned up with a team of crew on their break from filming. Loaf's owner Aiden Ryan couldn't resist asking for a quick photo with Gordon which he posted on his Instagram page, swiftly racking up the likes.
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Aiden wrote on Instagram: "NEWS JUST IN. We had a cheeky visit from the only and only Gordon Ramsay and his team! Thank you for joining us for a slice of the Manchester Tart and for the well wishes!! Such a gent!!"
The cafe only opened five weeks ago at the new unit at the Affinity Living Riverview development in Salford but has already become something of a hit in the area. It boasts mouth-watering giant loaf cakes which you can order by the slice in daily changing flavours inside the all-pink themed cafe.
The traditional Manchester Tart is served in a pastry case with custard, raspberry jam and coconut on top - and Aiden used those flavours to inspire the Manchester Tart version of his loaf cake as a special this week. It is served with an extra portion of custard on the side for £4 a time.
Aiden told the MEN: "I couldn't believe it. He's one of the biggest celebrity names in the world, and for him to come and have a slice of cake and say he loved it, that was so great.
"He's been doing some filming in the area, and he came down with some of the crew and they all sat chilling and enjoying the sun outside here.
"We've only been open a month, but we feel so fortunate as it's been consistently busy which is nice especially with the current climate. We have this lovely outside space and it's a bit of a sun trap so people come here on a break and chill out."
Aiden, 30, only started baking during lockdown when he was on furlough from his job in retail for Belstaff on King Street. He started with the aim of making 120 loaf cakes to raise money for the NHS which he did. But, after posting the colourful creations on Instagram, they became so popular that it soon became clear he could run a business baking them.
Aiden says: "I only started in 2020, but within six months we were supplying Selfridges and Harvey Nichols - I was just this Manchester lad who'd never baked a cake in his life. But I feel like everything happens for a reason right? This feels like the only time in my life where I'm not trying to plan ahead, just really enjoying each day and each moment.
"Before Loaf I had this idealistic plan of where I wanted to be in life, but now I'm just rolling with the waves, and it keeps prospering."
The cafe serves up hot and cold beverages and a range of Aiden's signature loaf cakes in flavours like lemon meringue, jammie dodger, pink panther, bourbon cream and custard cream. He also creates a range of quirky "loaf-nuts" - half cake, half doughnut hybrid sweet treats.
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