Ready, Set, BAKE! The Great British Bake off 2015 finale is tonight and it's been one of the best seasons so far. We were sad to see Scottish contestant Flora go last week but the finalists certainly are shaping up to be some of the most impressive bakers yet.
If you, like all of us, are far too busy watching to physically bake a cake (even though you are fully aware you have a winning showstopper inside you…) Don’t panic! Here are our top 3 restaurants in Glasgow and Edinburgh which are famous for excellent baking for you to indulge in.
In the past the Scots (though we are still smarting about Flora's exit!) have performed rather well on the show, so move over Great Britain, this is the Great Scottish Bake Off!
(63 Shore, Edinburgh, Edinburgh City, United Kingdom, EH6 6RA )
Mimi's Bakehouse, Edinburgh, is a family run bakery-cafe in Leith. While we think everything at Mimi’s is worthy of Paul and Mary’s vote- don’t just take our word - They were recently voted as the best casual dining experience in Scotland at the 2015 VisitScotland Thistle Awards.
At Mimi’s you can get the best breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea in Edinburgh as well as a devastatingly delicious daily freshly baked cakes! The skilled bakery team is led by Mimi's daughter and Head Baker, Gemma Clearie who works hard to create a mix of traditional classics and creative inventions. We had had a slice of cake and quick chat with Gemma about Mimi’s and her love of baking
What Makes a Mimi’s cake unique?
We believe in great cakes done right and that means no mixes, no cheats and no chemical nasties: just time, love and passion. Two large windows sit between the cafe and our bakery, letting you take a peep and watch the magic happen as the bakers create a delicious array of tasty treats.
If you had to choose a show stopper or a technical challenge to show your skill like the contestants on The Great British Bake Off what would it be AND what would you make?
Christmas is my favourite time of year and I love the smell of ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg being in the bakery. Every year we open a pop up stall in Edinburgh's Christmas Market and to celebrate the opening of the stall we create a gingerbread house show piece.
Each year we try to make the Gingerbread house bigger and better than last year and even though it’s still summer, I can’t wait to begin work on the one for this year.
Do you have a favourite item to bake?
My favourite bake is making our award winning scones. We do these first thing in the morning, every morning and I find it a very therapeutic way to start the day. It is always hugely satisfying to see the scones rising in the oven as you get ready for the busy day ahead.
The Tearooms at the Butterfly and the Pig
(151-153 Bath Street, Glasgow, United Kingdom, G2 4SQ)
Everybody knows that you can’t have a slice of cake without a decent ‘cuppa’, but what about a whole tearoom to enjoy it in? The Tearooms at the Butterfly & the Pig in Glasgow is renowned for its old fashioned, victorian shabby chic interior; but did you know their ‘old-fashioned ethos’ applies just as much to their cooking style as the quirky décor.
Their chefs take pride in making simple, honest foods,delicious and well presented; from their humble burger, served with homemade mayonnaise and hand cut chips to their signature ‘open’ fish cake dish, presented in a Le Creuset pan, packed with potato and salmon, and a creamy egg oozing through Perfect for any Lunch or Dinner in Glasgow.
This ethos carries through to the Tearooms Glass cabinets; chock full of insanely good cakes artfully prepared by talented pastry chefs who bake all the bread, scones, cakes and even their own jam! Skills definitely worthy of a Great British Bake Off title in our book!
(71 Renfield Street, Glasgow, United Kingdom, G2 1LP)
The Victorian theme continues as we glide past the tiled walls, marble columns and beautifully arranged cupcake cabinet in the Cup Tea Lounge - a boutique tea room in Glasgow’s city centre. This award winning city centre venue, is sure to get Paul and Mary’s seal of approval-it was a finalist as Best New Restaurant in the Glasgow Restaurant Awards.
They bake a sumptuous smorgasbord of cupcakes daily on the premises,in wacky combinations- all complimented perfectly by their selection of over 40 hand blended teas. We caught up with managing director Paul Reynolds to find out more:
We love your fresh baked cupcakes, they come in some amazing flavour combinations- do you have a favourite?
Carrot cake with its citrus notes and tasty cream cheese and vanilla frosting.
At Cup Tea Lounge there are over 40 hand blended teas- which would you recommend for matching with cake?
I’m an Earl Grey fan, so it would have to be our award winning Gorgeous Grey tea- The classic flavour of Sri Lankan black tea and Bergamot oil, naturally pressed from real Bergamot citrus fruit - fragrant with plenty of citrus aroma.
