An unassuming bakery based on Mount Pleasant in Liverpool has been hailed as "better than the Ritz".
Cuthbert's Bakery was founded by Matt and Elaine Price and has gone on to become a real family affair. The venue's moniker comes from Matt's mum's maiden name, ensuring family remains an integral aspect of the business.
Cuthbert's humbly began in Matt and Elaine's home in Aigburth back in 2006. Originally, the couple dished up their sweet treats to family and friends before expanding to local markets, shops and cafes.
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Their popularity, which still stands to this day, led to their family home becoming a 24 hour bakehouse, so Matt and Elaine took the plunge and realised their dream of opening their own premises in 2009. Now, Cuthbert's is a staple on Mount Pleasant.
The venue offers freshly made cakes and desserts, which are all baked in-house. They also offer themed afternoon teas, which changes each month to keep customers intrigued and enticed.
Afternoon tea is phenomenally popular, with iconic venues like the Ritz and Bettys Tea Rooms amassing devoted fans. Cuthbert's, however, has been branded even better.
Manager Timiebi Ebuwei, 41, from Wavertree, sat down with the ECHO (over a slice of the most delicious sticky toffee cake of all time) to chat about the business and how it operates. Explaining how she came to work at Cuthbert's three and a half years ago, she said: "Mine and Elaine's children used to go to school together and I came in for a birthday party and saw she was looking for staff, so I sent in an application.
"We knew of each other but we were just acquaintances before, but we're friends now. It's a genuinely lovely place to work - it's a proper family run business. They've got Matt's niece Megan working in the kitchen part time, and Matt is here most days baking."
Of Cuthbert's impressive reputation, Timiebi believes it's down to the company's consistent quality. She continued: "The cakes are just amazing, I'm not a big cake lover but Gina's [one of the resident bakers] are something special. We have a lot of regulars, the lecturers from the Uni are in all the time, and we've started getting some of the students in, too. Even when it quietens down outside of term time, it picks back up with the regulars."
Gesturing to a table of women in the swanky extension to the back of the bakery, complete with an impressive roof lantern, Timiebi smiled and added: "They're in most days." Cuthbert's is a calming haven, complete with exposed brick, twinkling lights, retro pottery and comfy seating. It's easy to see why people make consistent return visits.
Timiebi said: "All the businesses in the area know each other, which is nice. It's quite unique, people love our afternoon teas - loads come in who've been to the Ritz and say ours is better. They also compare it to Bettys, they all say it's better."
To reiterate her point, Timiebi called over to 18-year-old Faye Coward working behind the counter and asked: "Who do customers compare us to?" Faye replied: "Oh, they all say the Ritz or Bettys. They say we're better."
Timiebi added: "It's a nice atmosphere and environment to work here, we genuinely never have a bad day - touch wood."
Currently, Cuthbert's is offering an autumn themed afternoon tea, which costs £25 per person. It includes all the traditional favourites of sandwiches, scones and cakes but with a Cuthbert's twist. There's also full gluten-free and vegan options available. Cuthbert's is open Tuesday to Friday from 11am until 5.30pm, and from 11am until 6.30pm on Saturdays. For more information, click here.
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