I’m a big fan of the work of The Biscuiteers – a company who has revolutionised the way we send best wishes all over the world. Not just, as the name suggests, posting out sugary biscuit treats, they also bake cakes and pipe messages on chocolates too for absolutely every occasion.
Until now, they’ve been a wholly online concern with the non-personalised products available to buy off the shelf in Selfridges, Fortnum & Mason, Harrods, and Liberty.
Notting Hill is now home to a truly beautiful shop where I’m told by the lovely Sarah (who’s in charge of this beautiful store) that you can order, collect, buy and take part in an icing masterclass.
Freshly baked and beautifully iced cupcakes are made on the premises each day and some of the products available online are on display in the store. There are chocolates, lollipops, cakes, and tins of biscuits absolutely everywhere, showcasing their wares – priced for all budgets.
The cupcakes that I tasted on the opening night were light and fluffy, studded with vanilla and had a dense pocket of creamy buttercream hiding just beneath the soft covering of white icing. It seemed such a shame to bite into the work of art but you get that with every Biscuiteers product – they are just too pretty to snap, bite or cut – but they are absolutely delicious if you dare.
It’s downstairs in their icing room that they’ll be holding seasonal icing classes. Intimate classes with a minimum of four and no more than ten, groups work under the supervision of one of their expert icers, leaving with a tin of self-iced biscuits and Biscuiteers tricks and techniques. Tea and coffee are provided and you also leave with a book to take home. Workshops will set you back £60 +VAT.
If you want to steady your hand and get to grips with an icing bag it’s here you’ll do it. Sarah, the shop manager, tells me that there’s no need to book either. You pop into the store, grab yourself a cup of coffee and either you or your children can start to get creative. Whether it’s a Father’s Day card, a birthday greeting or something special for Granny, they’ll pack it in a suitable card mounting and you can either take it away or they’ll biscuit post it in a special box. That will cost you £10 per biscuit card, plus £3.50 for postage and packing.
You can even hire out the entire icing boutique for your private party, whatever the occasion. A minimum of 6 novice icers can gather with a Biscuiteers pro to create biscuits from a massive range of design themes. These are £70 +VAT per guest and with that, you can expect to get everything you need to create your biscuits, fizz, and a book and Icing Brilliance certification.
Children’s birthday parties are also hosted here and what a brilliant package for any budding Mary Berry or Paul Hollywood. For a couple of hours, the birthday boy or girl hosts their own icing table whilst their friends munch on ‘Jolly Gingers’ whilst creating their own biscuit.
They leave with aprons, their handiwork and certificates of merit. From the fairy princess to the fashionista, wildlife lover to the would-be mechanic, there’s plenty of choice for themes. Expect to pay £300 per party plus £6 per child +VAT for 2 hours of fun, fun, fun.
If you’re in West London, you have to visit this store, the exterior and contents seem to have been lifted straight off the Pinewood Studios lot.
You can find it at 194 Kensington Park Road, London, W11 2ES. Tel: 0207 727 8096.
https://www.biscuiteers.com
Got a sweet tooth? Read my blog on how to make the Tottenham Cake.
